College Football Playoffs
2026 College Football Playoffs
The 2026 College Football Playoff has 12 teams: five automatic bids and seven at-large teams chosen by the selection committee on Selection Day (Dec 6, 2026). The First Round is Dec 18-19, the quarterfinals and semifinals are bowl games, and the national championship is Jan 25, 2027 in Las Vegas. Indiana is the defending national champion after beating Miami 27-21 in January 2026.
2026 College Football Playoff Bracket
Explore the College Football Playoffs
How the 2026 College Football Playoff Works
Twelve teams: five automatic bids and seven at-large, seeded straight by the final CFP ranking. The top four rest while seeds 5 to 8 host the First Round on campus; the quarterfinals and semifinals are bowl games and the bracket never reseeds. More on the format page.
How to Watch
ESPN/ABC and TNT Sports share the playoff. The First Round opens Friday, Dec 18 on ESPN, with Saturday games on ABC/ESPN and TNT/truTV/HBO Max. TNT Sports has the Fiesta Bowl quarterfinal and, for the first time, a semifinal (Orange Bowl); ABC/ESPN has the Sugar Bowl semifinal and the national championship.
Key Dates
| Round | Dates | TV |
|---|---|---|
| Selection Day | Dec 6, 2026 | ESPN |
| First Round | Friday, Dec 18 and Saturday, Dec 19, 2026 | ESPN (Fri 8 PM ET), ABC/ESPN (Sat noon), TNT/truTV/HBO Max (Sat 3:30 and 7:30 PM) |
| Quarterfinals | Wednesday, Dec 30, 2026 (Fiesta Bowl) and Friday, Jan 1, 2027 (Cotton, Rose and Peach Bowls) | Fiesta Bowl on TNT/truTV/HBO Max; Jan 1 games on TNT/truTV/HBO Max, ABC/ESPN and ESPN |
| Semifinals | Thursday, Jan 14 (Orange Bowl) and Friday, Jan 15, 2027 (Sugar Bowl), 7:30 PM ET | Orange Bowl on TNT/truTV/HBO Max; Sugar Bowl on ABC/ESPN |
| CFP National Championship | Monday, Jan 25, 2027, 7:30 PM ET | ABC and ESPN |
Recent CFP National Championships
| Season | Champion | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Indiana | Miami | 27-21 |
Frequently asked questions
How many teams make the College Football Playoff?
Twelve: the champions of the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC, the highest-ranked team from the American, Conference USA, MAC, Mountain West, Pac-12 and Sun Belt, and the seven highest-ranked remaining teams.
When is Selection Day?
Sunday, Dec 6, 2026, when the committee releases the final rankings, the 12-team field and the bracket.
Who gets a first-round bye?
The four highest-ranked teams in the final CFP rankings, whether or not they won their conference (straight seeding, used since 2025).
When and where is the 2027 national championship?
Monday, Jan 25, 2027 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, 7:30 PM ET on ABC and ESPN. It is the first title game played in Las Vegas.
What channels show the College Football Playoff?
ESPN and ABC and TNT Sports (TNT, truTV and HBO Max) share the games: the First Round on ESPN, ABC/ESPN and TNT/truTV/HBO Max, the Fiesta Bowl quarterfinal and Orange Bowl semifinal on TNT/truTV/HBO Max, the Sugar Bowl semifinal and the title game on ABC/ESPN.
Who won the last College Football Playoff?
Indiana, beating Miami 27-21 in the national championship on Jan 19, 2026 at Hard Rock Stadium.