When Does the College Football Playoff Start in 2025?

By Sarah Miller · September 21, 2030

The College Football Playoff (CFP) for the 2024 season begins on December 20, 2025, with the first of two New Year's Six bowl games serving as quarterfinal matchups. The semifinals follow on January 1, 2026, and the national championship game is scheduled for January 19, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

What Is the College Football Playoff?

The College Football Playoff is an annual postseason tournament that determines the national champion of NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Since its inception in 2014, it has replaced the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) system with a more competitive bracket-style format.

How the CFP Works

The CFP features a four-team knockout tournament selected by a 13-member committee.
Teams are chosen based on performance, strength of schedule, head-to-head results, and conference championships.
The top four teams compete in semifinal games rotated among six major bowl sites.
The winners advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship game.

2024-2025 College Football Playoff Schedule

The expanded 12-team playoff format debuts in the 2024 season, marking a significant change from the previous four-team model. This new structure increases access for top-performing teams across conferences.

Round	Date	Bowl Game	Location	TV Network
First Round	December 20–21, 2025	Camping World Bowl & First Responder Bowl	Orlando, FL & Dallas, TX	ESPN
Quarterfinals	December 31–January 1, 2026	Rose Bowl & Sugar Bowl	Pasadena, CA & New Orleans, LA	ESPN
Semifinals	January 8–9, 2026	Orange Bowl & Cotton Bowl	Miami Gardens, FL & Arlington, TX	ESPN
National Championship	January 19, 2026	CFP National Championship Game	Atlanta, GA	ESPN

Table data source:College Football Playoff Official Site, NCAA.com

The introduction of the 12-team format adds two opening-round games hosted at campus sites of the higher-seeded teams. The table above reflects the full postseason path, including marquee bowl tie-ins now integrated into the playoff structure. This expansion aims to balance competitiveness with tradition while increasing fan engagement and revenue.

Selection Process and Committee Criteria

A 13-member selection committee ranks teams weekly starting mid-November, culminating in the final rankings announcement on Selection Day—typically the first Sunday in December.

Key Factors Considered:

Win-loss record and quality wins
Strength of schedule
Head-to-head competition
Championships won
Conference strength and overall team profile

No set formula exists; the committee uses subjective evaluation combined with analytics to determine the most deserving teams.

Host Cities and Venues for 2025-2026

The playoff rotates hosting duties among major stadiums across the U.S. For the 2024 season, the championship game returns to Atlanta—a frequent host due to Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s capacity and infrastructure.

Notable Host Sites:

Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, GA (Championship)
Rose Bowl Stadium – Pasadena, CA (Quarterfinal)
Caesars Superdome – New Orleans, LA (Quarterfinal)
Hard Rock Stadium – Miami Gardens, FL (Semifinal)
AT&T Stadium – Arlington, TX (Semifinal)

Frequently Asked Questions About the College Football Playoff

When does the college football playoff start in 2025?

The first round of the 2024–2025 College Football Playoff begins on December 20, 2025. These games feature seeds #5 through #12 and are played at campus sites of the higher-ranked teams.

How many teams are in the college football playoff?

Starting with the 2024 season, the College Football Playoff expands to 12 teams. This includes the six highest-ranked conference champions and six at-large bids selected by the committee.

Where is the 2026 college football national championship game?

The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship game will be held on January 19, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

How are College Football Playoff teams selected?

Teams are selected and ranked by a 13-member committee using criteria such as win-loss record, strength of schedule, head-to-head results, and conference championships. The top 12 teams are chosen, with automatic bids going to the six highest-ranked conference champs.

What time does the college football playoff start on TV?

All College Football Playoff games are broadcast nationally on ESPN. First-round games typically begin at 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM ET. Exact times are announced after matchups are finalized in early December 2025.