College Football Playoff 2026-27 Schedule and Times
12-team playoffDec 18, 2026 to Jan 25, 2027 · 11 games
Next CFP game
CFP First Round
Fri, Dec 18, 20268:00PMET · 5:00 PM PTYour time: 8:00 PM
Starts inCFP First Round
The 2026-27 College Football Playoff starts with the first round on December 18 and 19 at campus sites, continues with the quarterfinals on December 30 and January 1 and the semifinals on January 14 and 15, and ends with the national championship on Monday, January 25, 2027 at 7:30 PM ET at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The 12 teams are revealed on Selection Day, Sunday, December 6.
College Football Playoff Schedule
First Round (campus sites)
- NextFriDec 18Teams set on Selection DayCampus site (higher seed)ESPN8:00 PMET · 5:00 PM PT
- SatDec 19Teams set on Selection DayCampus site (higher seed)ABC, ESPN12:00 PMET · 9:00 AM PT
- SatDec 19Teams set on Selection DayCampus site (higher seed)TNT, truTV, HBO Max3:30 PMET · 12:30 PM PT
- SatDec 19Teams set on Selection DayCampus site (higher seed)TNT, truTV, HBO Max7:30 PMET · 4:30 PM PT
Quarterfinal
- WedDec 30Fiesta BowlState Farm Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.TNT, truTV, HBO Max7:30 PMET · 4:30 PM PT
- FriJan 1Teams set on Selection DayCotton, Peach or Rose BowlTNT, truTV, HBO Max12:00 PMET · 9:00 AM PT
- FriJan 1Teams set on Selection DayCotton, Peach or Rose BowlABC, ESPN4:00 PMET · 1:00 PM PT
- FriJan 1Teams set on Selection DayCotton, Peach or Rose BowlESPN8:00 PMET · 5:00 PM PT
Semifinal
- ThuJan 14Orange BowlHard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.TNT, truTV, HBO Max7:30 PMET · 4:30 PM PT
- FriJan 15Sugar BowlCaesars Superdome, New OrleansABC, ESPN7:30 PMET · 4:30 PM PT
National Championship
- MonJan 25CFP National ChampionshipAllegiant Stadium, Las VegasABC, ESPN7:30 PMET · 4:30 PM PT
The Cotton Bowl, Peach Bowl and Rose Bowl are assigned to the January 1 quarterfinal windows (noon, 4 PM and 8 PM ET) on Selection Day.
CFP 2026-27 Key Dates
| Selection Day | Sunday, December 6, 2026 |
|---|---|
| First Round | December 18 and 19, 2026, at campus sites |
| Quarterfinals | December 30, 2026 (Fiesta Bowl) and January 1, 2027 (Cotton, Peach, Rose) |
| Semifinals | January 14, 2027 (Orange Bowl) and January 15, 2027 (Sugar Bowl) |
| National Championship | Monday, January 25, 2027, 7:30 PM ET, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas |
CFP National Championship Time in Every Time Zone
| Location | Time | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Your time | ||
| Eastern (ET)New York, Atlanta, Miami | 7:30 PM | Mon, Jan 25 |
| Central (CT)Chicago, Dallas, Houston | 6:30 PM | Mon, Jan 25 |
| Mountain (MT)Denver, Salt Lake City | 5:30 PM | Mon, Jan 25 |
| ArizonaPhoenix (no daylight saving) | 5:30 PM | Mon, Jan 25 |
| Pacific (PT)Los Angeles, Seattle, Las Vegas | 4:30 PM | Mon, Jan 25 |
| AlaskaAnchorage | 3:30 PM | Mon, Jan 25 |
| HawaiiHonolulu | 2:30 PM | Mon, Jan 25 |
| Puerto RicoSan Juan | 8:30 PM | Mon, Jan 25 |
More Bowl and Holiday Times
College Football Playoff FAQ
When does the 2026-27 College Football Playoff start?
Friday, December 18, 2026, with a first-round game at 8 PM ET. Three more first-round games follow on Saturday, December 19, at noon, 3:30 PM and 7:30 PM ET.
When is CFP Selection Day?
Sunday, December 6, 2026. The 12-team bracket, first-round sites and the January 1 quarterfinal times are set that day.
When are the CFP semifinals?
Thursday, January 14, 2027 at the Orange Bowl and Friday, January 15, 2027 at the Sugar Bowl, both at 7:30 PM ET.
What time is the CFP National Championship?
Monday, January 25, 2027 at 7:30 PM ET (4:30 PM PT) at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
How many teams are in the College Football Playoff?
Twelve. The four highest-seeded teams get a bye into the quarterfinals; seeds 5 to 12 play in the first round at the higher seed's stadium.