How Many Football Bowl Games Are There in 2024?

By Sarah Miller · June 15, 2052

There are currently 42 college football bowl games in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), including the College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinals and national championship, making the 2024–2025 postseason one of the largest in history.

Understanding the College Football Bowl System

College football bowl games are post-season matchups that provide teams with additional playing opportunities beyond the regular season. These games serve as both rewards for successful seasons and major revenue generators for schools, conferences, and host cities.

What Qualifies a Team for a Bowl Game?

A team must achieve at least six wins against FBS opponents, with no more than one win against an FCS team counting toward eligibility.
Teams with winning percentages below .500 may still qualify under specific circumstances if there aren't enough eligible teams to fill all bowl slots.
The NCAA allows up to 88 teams (out of 133 FBS programs) to participate in bowl games each year.

Breakdown of Current Bowl Games by Category

The 42 official bowl games vary in prestige, payout, conference tie-ins, and selection order. They include New Year's Six games, which feature the highest-ranked matchups outside the playoff, and the CFP semifinals, which rotate among select bowls.

New Year's Six and College Football Playoff Bowls

Rose Bowl (Pasadena, CA)
Sugar Bowl (New Orleans, LA)
Orange Bowl (Miami Gardens, FL)
Cotton Bowl Classic (Arlington, TX)
Fiesta Bowl (Glendale, AZ)
Peach Bowl (Atlanta, GA)

Among these, the Cotton, Fiesta, and Peach Bowls rotate as hosts for the CFP semifinals every three years. The 2025 CFP National Championship will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta following the semifinals.

Other Major Non-Playoff Bowl Games

Alamo Bowl (San Antonio, TX)
Las Vegas Bowl (Paradise, NV)
Birmingham Bowl (Birmingham, AL)
Armed Forces Bowl (Fort Worth, TX)
Holiday Bowl (San Diego, CA)
Music City Bowl (Nashville, TN)

These games typically feature teams from Power Five conferences (SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Big 12, Pac-12) and select Group of Five representatives based on contractual agreements.

Bowl Game	Location	First Played	2023 Payout (USD)	Conference Tie-Ins (2024)
Rose Bowl	Pasadena, CA	1902	$6 million	Big Ten vs. Pac-12
Sugar Bowl	New Orleans, LA	1935	$5.75 million	SEC vs. Big 12
Orange Bowl	Miami Gardens, FL	1935	$5.5 million	ACC vs. SEC/Notre Dame
Fiesta Bowl	Glendale, AZ	1971	$5.75 million	At-large (CFP rotation)
Peach Bowl	Atlanta, GA	1968	$7 million	SEC vs. Big 12 (CFP rotation)
Cotton Bowl	Arlington, TX	1937	$5.5 million	SEC vs. Big 12 (CFP rotation)
Alamo Bowl	San Antonio, TX	1993	$4.6 million	Big 12 vs. Pac-12
Las Vegas Bowl	Paradise, NV	1992	$2.7 million	Big 12 vs. Pac-12

Table data source:1, 2

The financial stakes in bowl games have risen significantly, with the Peach Bowl offering the highest payout at $7 million per team in 2023. Conference tie-ins ensure competitive balance and geographic appeal, while CFP-rotating bowls command premium valuations due to national exposure and playoff implications.

Historical Growth of Bowl Games

The number of bowl games has expanded dramatically since the early 20th century. From just five games in the 1950s, the total grew to 20 by 2000 and surpassed 40 by 2014. This expansion reflects increased television demand, sponsorship interest, and the need to accommodate more teams in the postseason.

Key Milestones in Bowl Expansion

1998: Introduction of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS), consolidating top teams into a national title game.
2014: Launch of the College Football Playoff, replacing the BCS with a four-team format.
2024: Expansion to a 12-team playoff format beginning in the 2024 season, altering traditional bowl selection dynamics.

Impact of the 12-Team College Football Playoff

Starting in the 2024 season, the CFP expands from four to 12 teams. The top six conference champions receive automatic bids, while six at-large teams are selected by the CFP committee. The first round will be hosted at campus sites, but quarterfinals and semifinals will rotate among the New Year's Six bowls.

This change reduces the number of traditional “bowl” games, as some matchups now serve as playoff rounds. However, non-playoff teams will still fill the remaining 36 bowl slots, preserving most of the existing postseason structure.

Frequently Asked Questions About College Football Bowls

How many football bowl games are there in 2024?

There are 42 officially sanctioned NCAA FBS bowl games scheduled for the 2024–2025 postseason, including the College Football Playoff semifinals and national championship game.

Which is the oldest college football bowl game?

The Rose Bowl, first played in 1902 and held annually in Pasadena, California, is the oldest college football bowl game. It is often referred to as "The Granddaddy of Them All."

Do all bowl games involve playoff teams?

No. Only six of the 42 bowl games are part of the College Football Playoff: the four New Year's Six bowls hosting quarterfinals, two semifinal games, and the national championship. The rest are traditional postseason exhibitions.

How much do teams earn from playing in a bowl game?

Bowl payouts vary widely. In 2023, the Rose Bowl paid $6 million per team, while smaller bowls like the Bahamas Bowl paid around $750,000. Revenue is distributed through conference agreements and TV contracts.

Can a team with a losing record play in a bowl game?

Yes, under NCAA rules, teams with a losing record (e.g., 5–7) can be selected if there are not enough .500 or better teams to fill all 88 bowl slots. This has become increasingly common in recent years.