When Are Bowl Games Announced? Key Dates & Schedule

By Sarah Miller · October 4, 2042

Bowl games are typically announced in mid-December, shortly after conference championship weekend, with most matchups revealed between December 8 and December 10. The College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinal pairings are usually released on the Sunday following conference championships, while other bowl selections follow over the next few days.

When Are Bowl Games Announced? Key Dates Explained

The announcement of college football bowl games follows a predictable annual timeline. While exact dates vary slightly each season, the selection process consistently occurs in early to mid-December. The primary reason for this timing is that teams' eligibility and conference standings must be finalized before bowl committees can make informed decisions.

The NCAA requires teams to have at least six wins to qualify for a bowl game, and these records are confirmed only after all regular-season and conference championship games conclude—typically the first weekend in December.

Key Announcement Milestones

Conference Championship Weekend: First Saturday in December
College Football Playoff Semifinal Pairings: Announced on the following Sunday
New Year’s Six Bowls: Most revealed during the CFP broadcast
All Other Bowl Games: Filled over the next 48–72 hours via conference tie-ins and at-large selections

How the Bowl Selection Process Works

The bowl selection process involves coordination between the College Football Playoff committee, conference commissioners, and individual bowl organizers. Teams are selected based on final rankings, conference agreements, geographic appeal, and fan travel potential.

Selection Criteria for Non-Playoff Teams

Minimum of six wins (with exceptions in cases of APR adjustments)
Conference tie-ins (e.g., Big Ten has agreements with Rose Bowl, Citrus Bowl, etc.)
National ranking and brand recognition
Marketability and ticket sales history

Bowl Game	2024 Date	Location	Payout (USD)	TV Network
Rose Bowl	January 1, 2025	Pasadena, CA	$6 million	ESPN
Sugar Bowl	January 1, 2025	New Orleans, LA	$6 million	ESPN
Orange Bowl	January 9, 2025	Miami Gardens, FL	$5.75 million	ESPN
Fiesta Bowl	January 1, 2025	Glendale, AZ	$6 million	ESPN
Cotton Bowl	December 31, 2024	Arlington, TX	$5.5 million	ESPN
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl	December 31, 2024	Atlanta, GA	$5.75 million	ESPN
CFP National Championship	January 20, 2025	Atlanta, GA	$7 million	ESPN

Table data source:1, 2

The table highlights payout disparities among major bowls, with the CFP National Championship offering the highest financial return. Despite variations, New Year's Six bowls average around $5.75 million per team, reflecting their elite status and media value. ESPN holds exclusive broadcasting rights for all major postseason games through 2026.

Where to Watch Bowl Game Announcements

The primary platform for bowl game announcements is ESPN. The network hosts a dedicated two-hour special—usually titled "College Football Playoff Selection Day"—that reveals the top four teams and semifinal matchups. This broadcast airs live on ESPN and streams via the ESPN app and website.

For non-Playoff bowl selections, fans can track updates through:

Official conference websites (Big Ten, SEC, ACC, etc.)
Team athletic department social media accounts
Sports news outlets like CBS Sports, Fox Sports, and The Athletic
Bowl game official websites and Twitter/X handles

Frequently Asked Questions About Bowl Game Announcements

When will the 2025 bowl games be announced?

The 2025 bowl game matchups will be announced in December 2025, with the College Football Playoff selections expected on Sunday, December 7, 2025, following conference championship weekend.

What time do bowl game announcements happen?

The College Football Playoff selections are typically announced at 12:00 PM Eastern Time on ESPN. Other bowl matchups begin being revealed shortly after, starting around 4:00 PM ET.

Do all bowl games get announced at once?

No. Only the College Football Playoff and associated New Year’s Six games are announced simultaneously. All other bowl games are filled sequentially over the next few days based on conference tie-ins and team availability.

How are teams selected for bowl games?

Teams are selected based on win-loss record (minimum six wins), conference affiliation, national ranking, and marketability. The CFP committee ranks the top 25 teams, while other bowls follow contractual agreements with conferences.

Can a team with a losing record go to a bowl game?

In rare cases, yes. If not enough 6-win teams are available, the NCAA may allow teams with 5–7 records to qualify if they have high Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores, which count toward eligibility.