Fiesta Bowl 2026 Date and Time Announced for College Football Playoff

The College Football Playoff (CFP) schedule for the 2026-27 season is out, and honestly, it looks like a wild ride ahead. The Fiesta Bowl, a big quarterfinal match, will kick off December 30, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. MST, airing on TNT and truTV.

This announcement drops alongside a full schedule breakdown—dates, times, and which channels to flip to for every playoff game, including the semifinals and the championship. There’s a mix of classic bowl games and campus site matchups, so fans are in for a treat this year.

Key Dates and Times for the 2026-27 College Football Playoff

The CFP gets rolling with first-round games at campus sites on December 18, 2026. That Friday night game starts at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

The next day, December 19, is packed: games at noon, 3:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. The noon game’s on both ABC and ESPN, then TNT and truTV pick up the other two.

Quarterfinals Overview

There are four quarterfinals, with the Fiesta Bowl leading off. The other three happen on January 1, 2027, slotted for noon, 4 p.m., and 8 p.m.

Quarterfinal two airs on TNT and truTV, the third on ABC and ESPN, and the last one on ESPN. Peach, Cotton, and Rose Bowls are hosting, but we’ll have to wait until December 6 to know which game lands where.

Exciting Semifinal Matchups

The semifinals crank up the tension, starting with the Orange Bowl on January 14, 2027, at 7:30 p.m. That one’s on TNT and truTV.

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The Sugar Bowl semifinal follows on January 15 at 7:30 p.m., showing on ABC and ESPN.

Championship Game Details

The whole thing wraps up at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on January 25, 2027, at 7:30 p.m. ESPN networks, including ABC, will broadcast the championship.

If you’re streaming, the ESPN app has all their games, and TNT/truTV games show up on HBO Max.

Broadcasting and Streaming Information

One thing that stands out this year is just how many ways there are to watch. ESPN, ABC, TNT, and truTV are all in the mix.

Streaming? You’ve got the ESPN app and HBO Max, so you can catch the games on the go or at home—whatever works.

Notable Moments from Last Season

Thinking back to last season, Carson Beck’s game-winning touchdown for Miami in that 31-27 thriller over Ole Miss was electric. That win sent Miami to the title game against Indiana—moments like that are why we watch.

Looking Ahead

It’s tough not to get excited about what’s coming. With so many big games and plenty of ways to tune in, this season might just top them all.

Conclusion

The 2026-27 College Football Playoff schedule is shaping up to be something special. There’s a buzz already—hard not to feel it, right?

Key matchups like the Fiesta Bowl on December 30 are circled on plenty of calendars. Then there’s the championship game in Las Vegas on January 25, which feels like the main event everyone’s waiting for.

If you’re a fan, you’ll probably want to mark those dates. Catching the action live—whether on your go-to network or a streaming service—just hits different.

Need more details or want to stay in the loop? You can check out the official College Football Playoff announcement for updates.

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