2025 Cotton Bowl Start Time, Teams, and How to Watch

By Sarah Miller · April 2, 2050

The 2025 Cotton Bowl Classic is scheduled for January 9, 2025, at 7:30 PM Eastern Time (ET). It will be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and broadcast nationally on ESPN. This game is a College Football Playoff Semifinal, featuring two of the top four teams in the final CFP rankings.

What Is the 2025 Cotton Bowl?

The 2025 Cotton Bowl Classic is one of the most prestigious bowl games in college football. As part of the New Year's Six and serving as a College Football Playoff (CFP) Semifinal, it will determine one of the two participants in the 2025 CFP National Championship game.

Key Details

Date: January 9, 2025
Kickoff Time: 7:30 PM ET (6:30 PM CT)
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Broadcast Network: ESPN
Game Type: College Football Playoff Semifinal
Capacity: Approximately 80,000 (expandable to over 100,000)

Why the 2025 Cotton Bowl Matters

This edition of the Cotton Bowl is especially significant because it is designated as a CFP Semifinal. The winner will advance to face the victor of the Rose Bowl in the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship, set for January 20, 2025, in Atlanta.

Historical Context

Since its inception in 1937, the Cotton Bowl has hosted legendary matchups. Starting in 2014, it became part of the College Football Playoff rotation, hosting a semifinal approximately every three years.

Teams Participating in the 2025 Cotton Bowl

The teams will be determined by the final College Football Playoff rankings, released on December 8, 2024. The two highest-ranked teams among those not already assigned to another semifinal will play in this game.

Potential Contenders (as of October 2025 projections)

Alabama Crimson Tide
Georgia Bulldogs
Ohio State Buckeyes
Tennessee Volunteers
Oregon Ducks
Texas Longhorns

Year	Date	Winner	Score	Runner-up	Attendance
2022	Dec 31	Tennessee	31–14	Clemson	78,122
2023	Jan 9	Michigan	34–13	Tennessee	79,208
2024	Jan 1	Ohio State	42–35	Tennessee	84,216
2025 (Projected)	Jan 9	TBD	TBD	TBD	~80,000

Table data source:1, 2

The attendance figures show steady growth, especially when major playoff contenders are involved. The 2024 game saw a record turnout due to the high-profile matchup between Ohio State and Tennessee. The 2025 game is expected to draw a similar or larger crowd given its semifinal status and prime-time national exposure.

How to Watch the 2025 Cotton Bowl

The game will be televised live on ESPN and available for streaming via the ESPN app, fuboTV, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV. Viewers must have a valid subscription or login through a participating cable provider.

Viewing Options

TV Broadcast: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN App, fuboTV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV
Radio: Westwood One Sports (nationwide), team-specific broadcasts
Ticket Purchase: Official tickets available through Cotton Bowl website and Ticketmaster

Common Questions About the 2025 Cotton Bowl

What time does the 2025 Cotton Bowl start?

The 2025 Cotton Bowl starts at 7:30 PM Eastern Time (ET) on January 9, 2025. That’s 6:30 PM Central Time (CT), the local time in Arlington, Texas.

Where is the 2025 Cotton Bowl being played?

The 2025 Cotton Bowl will be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys. The venue has hosted the game since 2010.

Is the 2025 Cotton Bowl a playoff game?

Yes, the 2025 Cotton Bowl is a College Football Playoff Semifinal game, making it one of the two games that determine who plays for the national title.

Which teams are playing in the 2025 Cotton Bowl?

The teams have not yet been determined. They will be selected based on the final College Football Playoff rankings, announced on December 8, 2024.

How can I get tickets for the 2025 Cotton Bowl?

Tickets can be purchased through the official Cotton Bowl website or authorized sellers like Ticketmaster. Prices vary widely based on demand, seating, and whether the game is a playoff contest.