Upcoming College Football Playoff Schedule: Key Dates for 2026-2028

The College Football Playoff (CFP) just dropped the dates and host sites for its quarterfinal and semifinal rounds for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. The CFP Management Committee confirmed the playoff format will stick with 12 teams, even though there’s still chatter about expanding.

Some noticeable tweaks are coming. The first quarterfinal game will now land on December 30, 2026, instead of the usual New Year’s Eve slot. There’s also a longer two-week gap between the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds.

These changes are supposed to make watching easier and sidestep NFL competition. Not a bad idea, honestly. Let’s get into the new schedule and what all this could mean for fans and teams.

Key Changes to the CFP Schedule

The next couple of CFP seasons will bring a few adjustments, mostly to help with logistics and, honestly, to make things more fun to watch. The biggest move? Shifting the first quarterfinal game to December 30, 2026.

Why? Well, New Year’s Eve falls on a Thursday in 2026. That would put the CFP right up against NFL games, and nobody wants that headache.

Why Move the Quarterfinal Game?

By bumping the first quarterfinal to December 30, the CFP is hoping for a bigger audience. No NFL games to steal the spotlight.

It keeps college football front and center during the holidays, which is probably what most fans want anyway.

Extended Gap Between Rounds

Another change: there’s now a two-week gap between the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons. So, at least 24 days will pass between the first round and the semis.

This gives teams extra time to get ready and, maybe more importantly, to heal up.

• Improved Player Recovery: More time off means less chance of players dragging themselves onto the field half-injured.
• Enhanced Game Preparation: Coaches can actually cook up a real game plan instead of scrambling.
• Increased Fan Engagement: The extra gap lets hype build up, which could keep people talking about the games longer.

Host Sites and Dates

The CFP also locked in the host sites for the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds. Here’s what the schedule looks like:

2026-27 Season

• Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2026: Fiesta Bowl (State Farm Stadium — Glendale, Arizona)
• Friday, Jan. 1, 2027: Cotton Bowl (AT&T Stadium — Arlington, Texas)
• Friday, Jan. 1, 2027: Peach Bowl (Mercedes-Benz Stadium — Atlanta, Georgia)
• Friday, Jan. 1, 2027: Rose Bowl (Rose Bowl — Pasadena, California)
• Thursday, Jan. 14, 2027: Orange Bowl (Hard Rock Stadium — Miami Gardens, Florida)
• Friday, Jan. 15, 2027: Sugar Bowl (Caesars Superdome — New Orleans, Louisiana)

2027-28 Season

• Friday, Dec. 31, 2027: Sugar Bowl (Caesars Superdome — New Orleans, Louisiana)
• Saturday, Jan. 1, 2028: Fiesta Bowl (State Farm Stadium — Glendale, Arizona)
• Saturday, Jan. 1, 2028: Peach Bowl (Mercedes-Benz Stadium — Atlanta, Georgia)
• Saturday, Jan. 1, 2028: Rose Bowl (Rose Bowl — Pasadena, California)
• Thursday, Jan. 13, 2028: Orange Bowl (Hard Rock Stadium — Miami Gardens, Florida)
• Friday, Jan. 14, 2028: Cotton Bowl (AT&T Stadium — Arlington, Texas)

Impact on the Rose Bowl

The Rose Bowl gets to keep its beloved January 1 timeslot. It won’t host a semifinal game over the next two seasons, which keeps that New Year’s Day tradition alive.

Significance of the Rose Bowl

The Rose Bowl—yeah, “The Granddaddy of Them All”—is a big deal in college football. By sticking with January 1, the CFP is tipping its hat to history, even as everything else shifts around it.

Conclusion

The College Football Playoff schedule for the 2026 and 2027 seasons just got a shakeup. There are a few changes in store that should catch the eye of players, coaches, and honestly, anyone who cares about college football.

One of the bigger tweaks is the new timing for the first quarterfinal game. There’s also a longer gap between rounds, which feels like a smart move if you ask me.