What Channel Is the College Football Championship On?

By Sarah Miller · April 22, 2028

The College Football Playoff National Championship for the 2024 season will air live on ESPN in the United States, with kickoff scheduled for Monday, January 20, 2025. International viewers can watch via ESPN International, TSN (Canada), or streaming platforms like ESPN+ and FuboTV.

When and Where to Watch the 2025 College Football Championship

The College Football Playoff National Championship game determines the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) champion each year. For the 2024 season, the title game will take place on:

Date: Monday, January 20, 2025
Kickoff Time: 7:30 PM Eastern Time (ET)
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Broadcast Network: ESPN
Streaming Options: ESPN.com, ESPN App, FuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

Key Broadcast Details

ESPN has held exclusive rights to broadcast the College Football Playoff since its inception in 2014. The network provides comprehensive pre-game, halftime, and post-game coverage featuring analysts such as Kirk Herbstreit, Rece Davis, and Ryan Clark.

How to Stream the College Football Championship Game

For fans who prefer to stream the championship, several legal and reliable platforms offer live access:

ESPN App & ESPN.com: Available with a valid cable login or ESPN+ subscription linked to a participating provider.
FuboTV: Offers a free trial and carries ESPN as part of its base package.
YouTube TV: Includes ESPN in its $72.99/month plan with cloud DVR.
Hulu + Live TV: Priced at $76.99/month, includes ESPN and on-demand content.
Sling TV: Offers ESPN through its Blue plan ($40/month), but regional restrictions may apply.

International Viewing Options

Fans outside the U.S. have multiple options to watch the championship live:

Canada: TSN broadcasts the game live across all platforms.
United Kingdom: ESPN UK available via BT Sport or Sky.
Australia: Kayo Sports and ESPN Australia provide live coverage.
Germany, Austria, Switzerland: DAZN holds exclusive rights.
Latin America: ESPN Latin America covers the event.

Historical Broadcast and Viewership Trends

Since the College Football Playoff began in 2014, viewership has remained strong, with fluctuations based on team popularity, game competitiveness, and time slot.

Year	Teams	Winner	Viewers (Millions)	Network
2024	Michigan vs Washington	Michigan	18.8	ESPN
2023	Georgia vs TCU	Georgia	16.4	ESPN
2022	Georgia vs Alabama	Georgia	19.5	ESPN
2021	Alabama vs Georgia	Alabama	21.2	ESPN
2020	Louisiana State vs Clemson	Louisiana State	21.1	ESPN
2019	Clemson vs Alabama	Clemson	23.9	ESPN
2018	Alabama vs Georgia	Alabama	28.5	ESPN
2017	Clemson vs Alabama	Alabama	25.0	ESPN

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows that championship games featuring traditional powerhouses like Alabama, Clemson, and Georgia consistently draw higher ratings. The 2018 matchup between Alabama and Georgia remains the most-watched CFP final to date with 28.5 million viewers. Recent declines reflect broader cord-cutting trends, though digital streaming has partially offset linear TV drops.

What Channel Is the College Football Championship On? A Recap

To reiterate, the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship will be televised nationally on ESPN. The game is set for Monday, January 20, 2025, at 7:30 PM ET, from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Fans can stream it via ESPN+, FuboTV, YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV. International audiences should check local sports networks like TSN or DAZN for availability.

About the College Football Championship: Common Questions

What channel is the college football championship on?

The College Football Playoff National Championship airs exclusively on ESPN in the United States.

What time does the college football championship start?

The 2025 championship game starts at 7:30 PM Eastern Time on Monday, January 20, 2025.

Can I stream the college football championship for free?

Yes, you can stream it for free using a trial from services like FuboTV or YouTube TV, provided you sign up before the game.

Is the college football championship on ABC or ESPN?

The game is on ESPN, not ABC. While both are Disney-owned, the championship has aired on ESPN since 2014.

Will the college football championship be on Peacock or another streaming service?

No, NBC's Peacock does not carry the game. Exclusive rights belong to ESPN and its affiliated platforms.