CFP Quarterfinals 2026
The 2026 College Football Playoff Quarterfinals: Wednesday, Dec 30, 2026 (Fiesta Bowl) and Friday, Jan 1, 2027 (Cotton, Rose and Peach Bowls). Four bowl games, one on Dec 30 and three on New Year’s Day; the kickoff slots for the Jan 1 games are set on Selection Day.
Quarterfinals Schedule and Scores
How the Quarterfinals Work
Four bowl games, one on Dec 30 and three on New Year's Day; the kickoff slots for the Jan 1 games are set on Selection Day.
Who plays
Seeds 1 to 4 and the four First Round winners.
Matchups
1 v 8/9, 2 v 7/10, 3 v 6/11, 4 v 5/12.
Home field
The Fiesta, Cotton, Rose and Peach Bowls; bowl assignments are made on Selection Day.
What is next
The winners meet in the Orange Bowl and Sugar Bowl semifinals.
How to Watch
The Fiesta Bowl on Dec 30 is on TNT, truTV and HBO Max. The three Jan 1 bowls fill a TNT/truTV/HBO Max window, an ABC/ESPN window and an ESPN window, assigned on Selection Day.
Where This Round Sits
- Regular seasonAug – Oct 4
- First RoundDec 18–19
- QuarterfinalsDec 30 – Jan 1
- SemifinalsJan 14–15
- ChampionshipJan 25
Everything on this Quarterfinals page updates automatically: matchups when they are set, scores while games are on, results when they end. The full bracket shows how this round connects to the rest of the 2026 College Football playoffs.
Quarterfinals FAQ
When is the CFP Quarterfinals?
Wednesday, Dec 30, 2026 (Fiesta Bowl) and Friday, Jan 1, 2027 (Cotton, Rose and Peach Bowls).
Who plays?
Seeds 1 to 4 and the four First Round winners.
Where are the games?
The Fiesta, Cotton, Rose and Peach Bowls; bowl assignments are made on Selection Day.
What channel?
Fiesta Bowl on TNT/truTV/HBO Max; Jan 1 games on TNT/truTV/HBO Max, ABC/ESPN and ESPN.
What comes next?
The winners meet in the Orange Bowl and Sugar Bowl semifinals.