The 2026 College Football Playoff is officially locked in, and fans now have the full slate of dates and times to plan for the recently expanded 12-team format’s biggest moments.
Quarterfinals Action Begins on New Year’s Eve
It all kicks off with a primetime showdown in the Cotton Bowl on Wednesday, December 31 at 7:30 PM ET. Then, a triple-header on Thursday, January 1 gives us wall-to-wall college football with the Orange Bowl at Noon ET, the Rose Bowl at 4:00 PM ET, and the Sugar Bowl wrapping things up at 8:00 PM ET. All games will air live on ESPN.
Semifinal Drama Under the Desert and in Atlanta
Winners from the quarterfinals will advance to the semis, which are set for Thursday, January 8 (Fiesta Bowl) and Friday, January 9 (Peach Bowl) — both kicking off at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN. Expect fireworks as teams battle for a trip to the national title game.
The Championship Stage Is Set
The road to glory concludes with the 2026 National Championship Game on Monday, January 19 at 7:30 PM ET, presented by AT&T. It’ll be the crown jewel of a thrilling postseason and the ultimate test for college football’s top team.
One thing’s for sure — this playoff calendar is loaded with can’t-miss matchups and primetime drama. Buckle up!
