When Will Bowl Games Be Announced in 2025?

By Sarah Miller · November 1, 2025

Bowl game matchups for the 2025 college football season will be officially announced on Sunday, December 8, 2025, following conference championship weekend. This selection day is when the College Football Playoff committee reveals the top 12 teams and assigns them to New Year's Six bowls, while other bowl tie-ins are filled by conference agreements and team records.

Understanding Bowl Game Announcement Dates

The annual college football bowl season is a highly anticipated event that brings together top NCAA teams in post-season matchups. The official announcement of bowl game pairings occurs annually after the conclusion of conference championship games.

Key Dates in the Bowl Selection Process

Early December: Final regular season games and conference championships conclude.
December 7–8: College Football Playoff rankings are finalized; selections are made.

December 8, 2025:

Mid-December to Early January: Remaining non-playoff bowl games are filled and broadcasted.
January 1–9, 2026: Bowl games take place, culminating in the CFP National Championship.

How Teams Are Selected for Bowl Games

Bowl eligibility requires a minimum of six wins against FBS opponents (with some exceptions). However, selection order depends on several factors including conference tie-ins, playoff rankings, and team availability.

Factors Influencing Bowl Selection

Final College Football Playoff Rankings
Conference championship results
Strength of schedule and quality wins
Television ratings and fan travel appeal
Geographic proximity for lower-tier bowls

Bowl Game	Location	Date (2026)	Expected Payout (USD)	TV Network
Rose Bowl Game	Pasadena, CA	January 1	$5.4 million	ESPN
Sugar Bowl	New Orleans, LA	January 1	$5.4 million	ESPN
Orange Bowl	Miami Gardens, FL	January 9	$5.4 million	ESPN
Cotton Bowl Classic	Arlington, TX	January 9	$5.4 million	ESPN
Fiesta Bowl	Glendale, AZ	January 1	$5.4 million	ESPN
National Championship	Atlanta, GA	January 19	$7.0 million	ESPN
Alamo Bowl	San Antonio, TX	December 28	$3.5 million	ESPN

Table data source:1, 2

The table highlights key financial incentives and scheduling details for major bowl games in the 2025–2026 season. Notably, all New Year’s Six bowls offer identical payouts to participating conferences, promoting fairness in selection. The national championship game offers the highest payout, reflecting its prestige and viewership.

Where to Watch Bowl Game Announcements

The primary source for live bowl game selections is ESPN’s Bowl Selection Show, which airs on December 8, 2025. Additional updates are posted in real-time on:

ESPN College Football Bowls Page
NCAA Official Bowl Schedule
Team and conference social media channels
Sports news apps (e.g., CBS Sports, Bleacher Report)

FAQs About When Bowl Games Are Announced

When are bowl game matchups announced?

Bowl game matchups are officially announced on December 8, 2025, immediately after the final College Football Playoff rankings are released. The main selection show airs on ESPN that evening.

What time do bowl game announcements start?

The primary bowl selection show begins at 7:00 PM Eastern Time on December 8, 2025. Some preliminary matchups may be revealed earlier in the day via official bowl and school announcements.

How are teams chosen for bowl games?

Teams are selected based on win-loss record (minimum 6 wins), conference tie-ins, College Football Playoff rankings, and geographic appeal. The top 12 teams make the expanded playoff, while others fill contractual bowl slots.

Can a 6–6 team go to a bowl game?

Yes, if there are not enough bowl-eligible teams (with 6+ wins), the NCAA allows select 6–6 teams to participate based on academic progress rate (APR) scores and overall record strength.

Which network announces the bowl games?

ESPN hosts the official College Football Playoff Selection Day broadcast on December 8, 2025, where all major bowl matchups, including the playoff bracket, are revealed live.