Orange Bowl 2025 Start Time, TV Channel, How to Watch

By Sarah Miller · February 15, 2053

The 2025 Orange Bowl is scheduled to start at 7:30 PM Eastern Time (ET) on January 9, 2025. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN and streamed via ESPN+ from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

When Is the 2025 Orange Bowl?

The 2025 Capital One Orange Bowl will take place on Thursday, January 9, 2025, serving as a College Football Playoff (CFP) Semifinal game. This high-stakes matchup is one of the two national semifinals leading up to the CFP National Championship.

Date and Kickoff Details

Date: Thursday, January 9, 2025
Kickoff Time: 7:30 PM Eastern Time (ET)
Local Time: 6:30 PM Central, 5:30 PM Mountain, 4:30 PM Pacific
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
TV Network: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN+, ESPN app (authentication required)

Orange Bowl Broadcast and Viewing Options

Fans across the United States can watch the Orange Bowl live on ESPN, which holds exclusive broadcast rights for all College Football Playoff games through 2025. For cord-cutters, streaming is available via the ESPN+ platform and the ESPN app, though a cable login or valid subscription may be required.

How to Stream the Orange Bowl

ESPN+ Subscription: $10.99/month or $119.99/year
Broadcast Alternative: Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV carry ESPN
Free Trial Option: Some services offer free trials; check availability
Mobile Viewing: Watch live on iPhone, Android, tablets via ESPN app

2025 Orange Bowl Matchup and Significance

The 2025 Orange Bowl doubles as a College Football Playoff Semifinal, meaning the winner advances to the 2025 CFP National Championship on January 20, 2025. The teams will be determined by the final CFP rankings released on December 8, 2024.

Key Facts About the 2025 Game

Game Type: CFP Semifinal (rotating bowl system)
Expected Teams: Top four ranked teams; likely includes power conference champions
Historical Context: The Orange Bowl has hosted a playoff semifinal six times since 2014
Attendance Capacity: Up to 65,000 at Hard Rock Stadium

Year	Date	Kickoff Time (ET)	Teams	Winner	Score	Viewers (Millions)
2024	January 1	7:30 PM	Tennessee vs. Ohio State	Ohio State	42–41	15.2
2023	December 30	8:00 PM	Alabama vs. Kansas State	Alabama	30–28	11.8
2022	December 30	8:00 PM	Tennessee vs. Clemson	Clemson	31–14	12.1
2021	December 31	8:00 PM	Michigan vs. Alabama	Alabama	35–21	20.4
2020	January 2	4:00 PM	Clemson vs. Ohio State	Ohio State	49–28	16.1

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The data shows kickoff times typically range between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM ET, with recent semifinal games starting at 7:30 or 8:00 PM. Viewership spiked in 2024 with a dramatic finish between Tennessee and Ohio State, drawing over 15 million viewers. Playoff semifinal editions consistently outperform non-playoff years.