It feels like just yesterday we were arguing about four teams. Now, the bracket is huge, the travel is exhausting, and the stakes are basically through the roof. If you're looking for the quick answer to when are college football playoffs this year, we are currently in the home stretch of the 2025-26 season.
The whole thing culminates on Monday, January 19, 2026.
That's when the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers—yes, you read that right—take on the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. It’s a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN. But how we got here is a wild story involving a 12-team format that has completely changed the December and January calendar.
When Are College Football Playoffs Scheduled?
This year's playoff schedule was a marathon. It started way back on December 19, 2025. Because the field expanded to 12 teams, we didn't just jump into the New Year's bowls. We had a "First Round" where seeds 5 through 12 played on campus.
Honestly, seeing a playoff game at Autzen Stadium or Kyle Field in late December was something else.
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The 2025-26 Playoff Timeline
The games have been spaced out to keep us glued to our TVs for an entire month. Here is how the dates shook out for this cycle:
- First Round (Campus Sites): December 19 and 20, 2025.
- Quarterfinals (Bowl Sites): New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
- Semifinals: January 8 and 9, 2026.
- National Championship: January 19, 2026.
Wait, why the big gap between the semis and the title game? Basically, the organizers wanted to avoid clashing with the NFL’s Wild Card weekend. By pushing the final to a Monday night nearly ten days after the semifinals, players get a bit of a breather and the marketing machine gets more time to churn.
Why the 2026 Bracket Looks So Different
If you haven't been following every single Saturday, you might be shocked by the names on the scoreboard. Indiana? Miami? It’s not exactly the "Alabama vs. Clemson" era anymore.
The 12-team format gives automatic bids to the five highest-ranked conference champions. Then, the next seven highest-ranked teams get at-large spots. This year, Indiana basically broke the sport by going 15-0 under Curt Cignetti. They earned a first-round bye as the top seed and then dismantled Oregon 56-22 in the Peach Bowl on January 9 to secure their spot in the final.
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Meanwhile, Miami has been the ultimate "chaos" team. They were the 10-seed. They had to win a true road game at Texas A&M just to make the quarterfinals. Then they took down Ohio State and Ole Miss. It’s been a gauntlet.
Does the Higher Seed Always Host?
Only in the first round. If you’re a top-four seed, you don't play that first weekend. You get a "bye" and wait for the winners to come to a neutral-site bowl game. Seeds 5, 6, 7, and 8 get the massive advantage of hosting a playoff game in their own stadium.
Future Playoff Dates to Watch
If you’re the type who likes to plan your life three years in advance, the CFP has already locked in some dates. They know people need to book hotels before the prices triple.
Next year—the 2026-27 season—the National Championship is moving to Las Vegas. That game is set for January 25, 2027, at Allegiant Stadium. Following that, we’re looking at New Orleans in 2028 and Tampa in 2029.
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The schedule usually follows a similar rhythm:
- Mid-December: On-campus games for the first round.
- January 1: The "traditional" bowl window for quarterfinals.
- Late January: The big finale.
Addressing the Common Misconceptions
A lot of fans still think the "Power Five" rules everything. Truthfully, that term is mostly dead. With conference realignment, the "Power Four" (SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC) and the best of the Group of Five are what matter now.
Also, some people think the Rose Bowl is always a semifinal. Not anymore. It rotates. This year, the Rose Bowl was a quarterfinal on January 1, where Indiana beat Alabama 38-3. The semifinals were the Fiesta Bowl and the Peach Bowl.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're planning to catch the championship or follow the playoffs next year, here is what you actually need to do:
- Sync your calendar early: The CFP usually announces the specific windows (Noon, 4 p.m., 8 p.m. ET) for the quarterfinals by April of the preceding year.
- Monitor the "First Round" tickets: These are sold by the home schools (seeds 5-8). If you aren't a season ticket holder, your best bet is the secondary market about 48 hours after the final rankings are released in early December.
- Watch the TV split: While ESPN still holds the primary rights, don't forget that TNT Sports has started sub-licensing early-round games. You might need to check your Max or TNT login for those mid-December campus matchups.
- Check the NFL schedule: Always look at when the NFL's Monday Night Football schedule ends. The CFP National Championship will almost always be the Monday after the NFL regular season finishes.
The 2026 College Football Playoff has been a wild ride of "firsts," but the most important thing to remember is the date. Monday night, January 19. Clear your schedule.