Download Your 2025-2026 College Football Playoff Printable Bracket Now
The excitement is building as the College Football Playoffs (CFP) for the 2025-2026 season are just around the corner. Fans from across the nation are eagerly awaiting the CFP selection show on Sunday, December 7, which will unveil the official 12-team bracket and the final top 25 rankings.
Whether you’re a die-hard supporter of your favorite team or just love the thrill of competition, this year’s playoffs promise to be an unforgettable experience. Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll want to know as the action-packed weeks approach.
Contents
Key Dates and Events
Mark your calendars with these crucial dates so you don’t miss a beat:
Selection Show
The journey starts with the CFP selection show on Sunday, December 7. This is when fans finally get to see the official 12-team bracket and the final top 25 rankings.
The anticipation is real as teams learn their fates and fans start plotting their brackets. It’s the kind of moment that gets everyone talking.
First Round
The first round of the playoffs kicks off on Friday, December 19, and continues on Saturday, December 20. The first four games will be played on the campuses of the No. 5 through No. 8 seeds, giving those teams a real home-field edge.
This round sets the stage for the intense battles that follow. There’s nothing quite like playoff football on a college campus.
Quarterfinals
The quarterfinals are set for Wednesday, December 31, and Thursday, January 1. These matchups decide who moves on to the semifinals.
With so much at stake, you can bet there’ll be some wild moments. Every snap starts to matter just a little more.
Semifinals
The semifinals are scheduled for Thursday, January 8, and Friday, January 9. The pressure ramps up as the remaining teams fight for a spot in the national championship game.
Every play, every decision, every moment—suddenly it all feels critical. Only the best of the best make it this far.
National Championship
The grand finale is the national championship game, set for Monday, January 19. The two best teams in the country will battle for the ultimate prize in college football.
This is the game every player dreams about, and every fan circles on their calendar. Can’t say anyone’s missing this one.
Filling Out Your Bracket
Joining a bracket pool brings a whole new level of excitement. Here’s what you need to know to get in on the fun:
Brackets Open on Selection Sunday
Once the official bracket drops during the selection show on December 7, you can start making your picks. Prefer to download, print, and fill out your bracket by hand?
Or maybe you’d rather submit it virtually through the NCAA’s Official Bracket Challenge. Either way works—just depends on your style.
Submission Deadline
If you’re in a bracket pool, make sure to get your picks in before the first game starts on December 19. Miss the deadline and, well, you’re watching from the sidelines.
Scoring System
Each round offers 60 points, so nailing your picks really matters. Getting the semifinalists and championship team right is where you can rack up the most points.
Don’t forget, the top four teams automatically advance to the quarterfinals. That can definitely shape your strategy.
Autopick Tool
If you’re totally stumped, the NCAA website has an autopick tool that’ll fill out your bracket for you. It’s not a bad backup if you’re busy or just feeling indecisive.
Strategies for Success
Filling out a bracket is always a mix of skill and luck, but there are a few things you might try:
Research Team Performances
Check out how teams have played all season—strengths, weaknesses, key players. Sometimes, a little homework goes a long way.
Consider Matchups
Certain teams just match up better against others because of their style or history. Dig into those details, and you might spot an upset before it happens.
Balance Risk and Reward
It’s tempting to always pick the higher seeds, but upsets are part of the fun. Mixing in a few underdogs could pay off big time.
Stay Updated
Keep an eye on news leading up to the games. Injuries, weather, or last-minute changes can shift everything, sometimes when you least expect it.
Join the Conversation
The College Football Playoffs aren’t just about the games. They’re really about the community, too—the shared buzz among fans everywhere.
Hop onto social media, toss your bracket picks into the mix, and see what others are saying. Sometimes, the best part is the banter and friendly trash talk with friends and strangers alike.
As the 2025-2026 College Football Playoffs get closer, the anticipation is honestly hard to ignore. There’s the selection show, first round, quarterfinals, semifinals, and then—finally—the national championship.
Fans have a lot coming up. Maybe you’re filling out a bracket, maybe you’re just rooting for your team, or maybe you just like the chaos of it all.
This year’s playoffs? They’re shaping up to be something special. If you want the bracket or more details, you can grab the printable version at the official source.
