ESPN’s Extensive Miami Coverage for 2026 College Football Playoff Championship
The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship Presented by AT&T is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about events in college football. ESPN is going all out, promising more than 24 hours of live studio coverage to pull fans right into the action.
From deep-dive analysis to exclusive interviews, the coverage will spill across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ACC Network, ESPN YouTube, ESPN Facebook, and the ESPN App. Here’s a closer look at what’s on tap as Championship Monday approaches.
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Comprehensive Coverage from Miami
ESPN is setting up shop at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, kicking things off with College GameDay at 5 p.m. ET. This show just wrapped its most-watched regular season ever, and now Rece Davis is back as host, flanked by Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, and Nick Saban.
Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman will join as a guest analyst. Jen Lada, Jess Sims, Pete Thamel, and betting analyst ‘Stanford Steve’ Coughlin round out the on-air crew, so expect some lively banter and sharp insights.
Featured Segments on College GameDay
Some of the segments planned for College GameDay include:
- I’M COMING HOME: Fernando Mendoza, Heisman winner and starting QB at Indiana and Cal, returns to his Miami roots and his old high school haunts.
- IT’S ALL ABOUT THE ‘U’: A look at Miami’s historic swagger, featuring legends like Michael Irvin and Ray Lewis. The Hurricanes’ legacy? It’s impossible to ignore.
- COACHES CONVERSATION: Pat McAfee sits down with Miami’s Mario Cristobal and Indiana’s Curt Cignetti on the eve of the big game.
- THE IMPROBABILITY OF INDIANA: Jeremy Schaap digs into the Hoosiers’ underdog journey to the national championship.
- HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE: Ryan McGee explores how Miami’s history and location could tip the scales.
Additional ESPN Programming
But College GameDay is just the beginning. There’s a lot more for fans to tune in to.
The Pat McAfee Show
Monday afternoon, The Pat McAfee Show goes live from Hard Rock Stadium. McAfee, along with AJ Hawk, Connor Campbell, Ty Schmit, Tone Digs, Darius Butler, and Evan Fox, will be on from noon to 2 p.m. on ESPN, YouTube, and the ESPN App.
The show’s final hour will be exclusive to the ESPN App and The Pat McAfee Show channel on YouTube. Expect the usual chaos and unpredictability.
ACC Network Coverage
The ACC Network is rolling out on-site studio programming focused on the Miami Hurricanes in the CFP National Championship, running from January 17-19. Shows like ACC Huddle, Inside ACCess, Field Pass with ACC Huddle, and the ACC Network Football Podcast are all in the mix.
Championship Monday brings Inside ACCess at the National Championship at 5 p.m., with ACC Huddle Final Score wrapping up after the game.
Digital Platforms and Social Media
Don’t sleep on ESPN’s digital coverage, either. Countdown to the CFP National Championship Presented by AT&T will be hosted by Christine Williamson, Harry Douglas, and Harry Lyles Jr. live from the field in Miami.
The pregame show starts at 6:30 p.m., with the latest storylines and key matchups. After the game, Sam Ravech, Matt Simms, and Skubie Mageza will break it all down in The Wrap-Up: CFP National Championship Presented by Mercedes-Benz.
Good Morning America
ABC’s Good Morning America will be checking in from Miami all championship weekend. Victor Oquendo brings updates from Hard Rock Stadium on Friday, January 16.
Lara Spencer will be live from the concourse on Championship Monday and the following day. Robin Roberts anchors Tuesday’s show live from the field, joined by the winning team’s stars and spirit squads.
SportsCenter and First Take
SportsCenter will air several editions from Miami, starting Saturday. Matt Barrie hosts the 6 p.m. Sunday show and the 5 p.m. slot on Championship Monday.
Kevin Negandhi takes over the 6 p.m. Monday show leading into kickoff, while Scott Van Pelt handles post-championship festivities. Should be a good watch, honestly.
First Take will have a special Championship Monday edition. Stephen A. Smith, Shae Cornette, Cam Newton, and Ryan Clark headline the panel, with Tim Tebow and Desmond Howard jumping in. Mark Cuban, an Indiana alum, is set to make an appearance too.
Path to the College Football Playoff
Path to the College Football Playoff Presented by AT&T features Matt Barrie, Joey Galloway, and Greg McElroy guiding fans through the Hurricanes’ and Hoosiers’ journeys to Miami. These 30-minute specials look back at how both teams got here.
Championship Drive
Championship Drive will dig into Monday’s matchup, breaking down the Xs and Os and spotlighting the latest storylines. Hosts Kevin Negandhi and Matt Barrie are joined by analysts like EJ Manuel, Dusty Dvoracek, Roddy Jones, Booger McFarland, Tim Tebow, Joey Galloway, and Sam Acho.
Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Access
If you’re after a backstage pass, ESPN+ is airing Inside the College Football Playoff. This five-part series offers a closer look at the expanded Playoff, ending with fresh perspectives on the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship Presented by AT&T.
All of ESPN in One Place
ESPN brings its entire lineup of networks and services straight to fans through the ESPN App. You get more choices, more flexibility, and access to over 47,000 live events every year.
There are also on-demand replays, top studio shows, and original programming. Multiview, synchronized two-screen viewing, and swipe-able vertical video are part of the experience.
Personalized features like SportsCenter For You make it feel tailored just for you. If you’re into bundles, there’s a limited-time deal for the ESPN DTC Unlimited plan with Disney+ and Hulu at $29.99/month for the first year.
Curious about ESPN’s coverage of the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship Presented by AT&T? You can find more at the ESPN Press Room.
