How Are Football Bowl Games Determined?

By Sarah Miller · January 7, 2040

College football bowl games are determined through a combination of final rankings, conference tie-ins, team records, and selections made by individual bowl committees, with the top teams in the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings qualifying for the national semifinals and championship.

How College Football Bowl Games Are Selected

The process of determining which teams play in college football bowl games involves multiple factors including team performance, conference agreements, and national rankings. Over 40 bowl games take place each season, offering postseason opportunities to more than 80 teams from the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).

Key Factors in Bowl Selection

Final College Football Playoff (CFP) Rankings
Conference championships and tie-in agreements
Team record (typically 6+ wins required)
Academic performance and fan travel potential
At-large bids awarded by selection committees

The Role of the College Football Playoff

The CFP system governs the selection of the top four teams for the national semifinals, which rotate among six major bowl games: Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, and Peach Bowl.

CFP Selection Committee Process

A 13-member committee evaluates teams weekly starting mid-season and releases rankings beginning in November. The final ranking determines:

Top 4 teams: Enter CFP Semifinals
Next best teams: Fill New Year's Six bowls based on conference tie-ins and merit
Remaining spots: Filled by eligible teams via conference agreements or at-large bids

Bowl Game Tie-Ins and Conference Agreements

Most conferences have contractual obligations with specific bowl games. For example, the Big Ten has long-standing ties to the Rose Bowl, while the SEC is linked to the Sugar Bowl.

When a conference champion cannot fulfill its obligation (e.g., playing in the CFP), the next highest-ranked team from that conference is typically selected.

Examples of Major Conference–Bowl Tie-Ins

Bowl Game	Primary Conference Tie-Ins	Secondary/Backup Conferences	Typical Date
Rose Bowl	Big Ten, Pac-12	C-USA, At-Large	January 1
Sugar Bowl	SEC	Big 12, At-Large	January 1
Orange Bowl	ACC	Big Ten, SEC	December 31
Cotton Bowl	SEC, Big 12	At-Large	December 29
Fiesta Bowl	Big 12, Pac-12	At-Large	January 1

Table data source:1, 2

The table highlights how major bowl games maintain strong relationships with power conferences. When primary teams qualify for the CFP, backup agreements ensure competitive matchups. These tie-ins provide financial stability for conferences and help guarantee fan engagement.

Eligibility Requirements for Bowl Games

To be bowl-eligible, an FBS team must achieve at least six wins against FBS opponents, with no more than one win against an FCS team counting toward the total.

Special Cases and Exceptions

Teams with 5–7 records may be selected if there are not enough eligible teams
Graduation Rate Performance (GRP): Teams with high academic progress rates can receive priority
Geographic proximity: Bowls often prefer nearby teams to boost ticket sales
TV ratings and marketability: National exposure influences selections

Frequently Asked Questions About College Football Bowl Games

How are teams chosen for the College Football Playoff?

The top four teams in the final College Football Playoff rankings are selected by a 13-member committee based on strength of schedule, head-to-head results, conference championships won, and overall team performance.

What happens if a conference champion isn't ranked high enough for a New Year's Six bowl?

If a conference champion has at least six wins but isn't selected for a NY6 game, they are guaranteed a spot in another bowl game, though not necessarily their primary tie-in.

Can independent teams like Notre Dame play in bowl games?

Yes, Notre Dame has a special arrangement with the ACC and can participate in any ACC-affiliated bowl if it qualifies, even without being in the conference.

Do all bowl games involve playoff teams?

No, only six bowl games—Rose, Sugar, Orange, Cotton, Fiesta, and Peach—are part of the CFP rotation. The rest are traditional postseason exhibitions without national title implications.

How many teams participate in college football bowl games each year?

In the 2024 season, 82 teams participated in 41 official bowl games, including the College Football Playoff semifinals and national championship game.