When Are NCAA Football Playoffs: 2024-2025 Dates & Schedule

By Sarah Miller · April 8, 2045

The NCAA football playoffs for the 2024 season will begin on December 20, 2024, with the first round of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. The national championship game is scheduled for January 20, 2025.

When Are the 2024-2025 NCAA Football Playoffs?

The College Football Playoff (CFP) schedule for the 2024-2025 season marks a historic shift with the expansion from four to twelve teams. This new format significantly alters the timing and structure of postseason college football.

Key Dates in the 2024-2025 CFP Schedule

First Round: Friday, December 20 – Monday, December 23, 2024
Quarterfinals: Saturday, January 1, 2025 (New Year’s Six Bowls)
Semifinals: Friday, January 10 – Saturday, January 11, 2025
National Championship Game: Monday, January 20, 2025

The selection committee will announce the 12-team bracket on Sunday, December 8, 2024. The top four conference champions will earn automatic bids, while the remaining eight teams are selected at-large by the committee.

How Does the 12-Team NCAA Football Playoff Work?

The 2024 season introduces a major reform in college football postseason play. After years of debate, the NCAA adopted a 12-team playoff format to increase access and fairness across conferences.

Playoff Format Breakdown

The six highest-ranked conference champions receive automatic qualification.
The next six highest-ranked teams earn at-large bids.
Seeds 5–12 host First Round games on campus sites.
Higher seeds host all First Round matchups.
Quarterfinals and semifinals rotate among New Year’s Six bowl sites.

This format aims to balance tradition with expanded opportunity, rewarding both conference success and overall team strength.

Historical Context: Evolution of the NCAA Football Playoffs

Prior to 2014, the national champion was determined by polls and computer rankings. The BCS (Bowl Championship Series) era (1998–2013) paired the top two teams in a title game, but excluded many deserving contenders.

Milestones in CFP History

2014: Introduction of the 4-team playoff format.
2020: Temporary expansion to 8 teams due to pandemic disruptions.
2024: Permanent expansion to 12 teams approved by commissioners.

The shift reflects growing demand for inclusivity and transparency in determining the national champion.

2024-2025 CFP Bracket and Site Assignments

The First Round games will be hosted by seeds 5 through 12 at their home stadiums or neutral sites. Quarterfinals are integrated into existing New Year’s Six bowls, including the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and Orange Bowl.

Rounds	Dates	Bowl/Game Sites	Host Cities
First Round	Dec 20–23, 2024	Campus Sites (Seeds 5–12)	Nationwide
Quarterfinals	Jan 1, 2025	Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Orange Bowl	Glendale, Atlanta, Pasadena, New Orleans, Arlington, Miami Gardens
Semifinals	Jan 10–11, 2025	Designated NY6 Sites (TBD rotation)	TBD
Championship Game	Jan 20, 2025	Mercedes-Benz Stadium	Atlanta, GA

Table data source:1, 2

Data shows that the 2024-2025 playoff extends over a longer timeframe compared to previous formats, allowing more rest between rounds. Hosting shifts earlier in the calendar, with First Round games starting before Christmas.

The championship location in Atlanta emphasizes its role as a central hub for major college football events, having hosted multiple title games previously.

Frequently Asked Questions About NCAA Football Playoffs

When does the NCAA football playoff start in 2024?

The 2024 NCAA football playoff begins on December 20, 2024, with the First Round of the 12-team tournament. The bracket will be revealed on December 8, 2024, following conference championship weekend.

How many teams are in the NCAA football playoff in 2024?

Starting in the 2024 season, the NCAA football playoff expands to 12 teams. This includes the six highest-ranked conference champions and six at-large teams selected by the CFP Committee.

Where is the 2025 NCAA football championship game?

The 2025 NCAA football national championship game will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Monday, January 20, 2025.

How are teams selected for the NCAA football playoffs?

The CFP Selection Committee ranks teams weekly after November. The top six conference champions automatically qualify if ranked in the top 12. The remaining six spots go to the next best teams regardless of conference, ensuring the strongest field competes.

Are playoff games played at neutral sites?

First Round games (seeds 5–12) are hosted at campus sites. Subsequent rounds, including quarterfinals, semifinals, and the championship, are played at neutral venues such as major bowl stadiums across the U.S.