What Channel Is College Football Championship On in 2025?

By Sarah Miller · April 4, 2048

The College Football Championship game for the 2024 season will be broadcast on ESPN, continuing its exclusive coverage of the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship. The game is scheduled for Monday, January 20, 2025, and will kick off at 7:30 PM Eastern Time from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

When and Where Is the 2025 College Football Championship?

The 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship marks the culmination of the 12-team playoff format's debut season. This high-stakes game determines the NCAA Division I FBS national champion.

Key Event Details

Date: Monday, January 20, 2025
Kickoff Time: 7:30 PM ET (6:30 PM CT / 5:30 PM MT / 4:30 PM PT)
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Arena Capacity: Approximately 71,000 for football
Expected Attendance: Over 68,000 fans

Atlanta has hosted multiple championship games due to its central location, modern facilities, and strong fan infrastructure. Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, features a retractable roof and state-of-the-art video board technology.

What Channel Is the College Football Championship On?

The primary broadcaster for the College Football Playoff National Championship is ESPN. The game will also be available across multiple platforms within the Disney-owned media network.

Broadcast and Streaming Options

TV Channel: ESPN (HD and SD)
Streaming: ESPN App, ESPN.com, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, FuboTV
Spanish Broadcast: ESPN Deportes and ESPN+
Radio: Westwood One Sports (English), SiriusXM (Channel 84)
International: TSN (Canada), Sky Sports (UK), ESPN International (select regions)

Subscribers with authentication via their cable provider can stream the game live on the ESPN app or website. Services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV include ESPN in their base packages, making access convenient for cord-cutters.

Why Is ESPN the Exclusive Broadcaster?

ESPN holds the exclusive rights to broadcast all College Football Playoff games through the 2025 season under a contract signed with the CFP Management Committee. This includes semifinals and the national championship game.

Historical Broadcast Rights Timeline

Season	Broadcaster	Number of Games	Estimated Viewership (Millions)
2014–2017	ESPN	3 per year	25.3 avg
2018–2021	ESPN	3 per year	21.7 avg
2022–2025	ESPN	3+ per year*	23.9 avg (semifinals), 25.1 final
2026–2032	TBD (ABC/ESPN likely)	Up to 12+ per year (12-team format)	N/A (projected >27M)

Table data source:1, 2

The table shows ESPN’s long-term dominance in college football broadcasting. Viewership dipped slightly during the pandemic years but rebounded strongly in 2023 and 2024. With the expansion to a 12-team playoff starting in 2024, total viewership is projected to grow significantly by 2026, increasing the value of future broadcast rights.

How to Watch Without Cable

Fans without traditional cable subscriptions have several reliable options to watch the championship game live.

Top Streaming Services Carrying ESPN

Hulu + Live TV: $76.99/month, includes ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and ESPN+
YouTube TV: $72.99/month, carries ESPN, ABC, and full cloud DVR
FuboTV: $74.99/month, sports-focused with ESPN and premium add-ons
Sling TV (Orange + Sports Plus): $50/month, includes ESPN and select regional sports networks
Direct ESPN+ Subscription: $10.99/month (does not include live ESPN linear feed; only Spanish or alternate broadcasts)

Note: While ESPN+ offers supplemental content, it does not carry the main ESPN channel. To watch the championship live, you need access to the linear ESPN broadcast via TV provider or live-streaming service.

Frequently Asked Questions About the College Football Championship

What time does the college football championship game start in 2025?

The 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship will start at 7:30 PM Eastern Time on Monday, January 20, 2025.

Will the college football championship be on ABC or ESPN?

The game will be broadcast on ESPN. Although ABC previously aired some playoff games, ESPN now holds exclusive rights to all CFP games through 2025, including the national championship.

Can I stream the college football championship for free?

Yes, eligible users can stream the game for free via the ESPN website or app by logging in with a participating TV provider. Additionally, new subscribers to services like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV may qualify for free trial periods that include the game.

Is the college football championship on Peacock or another non-ESPN network?

No, the College Football Playoff National Championship is not available on Peacock. It remains exclusively on ESPN and affiliated platforms through 2025. NBC does not hold rights to any CFP games during this period.

What channels show the College Football Playoff semifinals?

The two College Football Playoff semifinal games will be broadcast on ESPN and ABC in rotation. For the 2025 semifinals (January 1, 2025), one game airs on ESPN and the other on ABC, both starting in prime time.