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The College Football Playoff (CFP) has finalized broadcast plans for its 2025-26 12-team playoff opening round, with games set to air on multiple networks across two days. In collaboration with ESPN and TNT Sports, the CFP revealed that first-round action will kick off Friday, Dec. 19, with an 8 p.m. game on ABC and ESPN. The schedule continues Saturday, Dec. 20, with three consecutive games: a noon contest on ABC and ESPN, followed by TNT Sports broadcasting games at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. “We are pleased to work with both ESPN and TNT Sports to deliver these first-round games to fans across the country in premier viewing windows,” said Rich Clark, executive director of the College Football Playoff. “We also appreciate the collaboration with the National Football League in coordinating schedules to best serve fans of both college and professional football.” The four first-round matchups, which will take place on college campuses, will be determined on Selection Day, Dec. 7. Following the opening round, ESPN will broadcast the remainder of the playoff, including all four quarterfinals, two semifinals, and the championship game. The quarterfinal schedule includes the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on Dec. 31, with the Capital One Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl Game, and Allstate Sugar Bowl all following on New Year’s Day. The semifinals are scheduled for the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 8 and the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Jan. 9, with the national championship set for Monday, Jan. 19, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Last season’s inaugural first-round games averaged 10.6 million viewers, while the 2025 championship between Ohio State and Notre Dame attracted an audience of 22.1 million, according to the CFP.
