The college football postseason bracket is officially revealed. Twelve elite teams will now compete for the coveted national championship trophy. This exciting 12-team format promises an unprecedented level of drama for US sports fans. Furthermore, Selection Sunday confirmed the final rankings for the expanded College Football Playoff (CFP). Indeed, the road to the title will be a relentless gauntlet of top-tier competition.
The Path to Glory: Schedule Breakdown
Four deserving teams earned coveted first-round byes in the new structure. The No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers secure the top overall seed. The No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes, No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs, and No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders also received crucial rest. Consequently, these four powerhouses await their opponents in the Quarterfinals. This inaugural, expanded tournament kicks off immediately with intense matchups.
First Round Thrillers
The entire CFP First Round will be hosted at exhilarating campus sites. Specifically, four elimination games are scheduled for Friday, December 19, and Saturday, December 20.
| Date | Matchup | Location (Campus Site) | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri., Dec. 19 | No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oklahoma | Norman, OK | ABC/ESPN |
| Sat., Dec. 20 | No. 10 Miami at No. 7 Texas A&M | College Station, TX | ABC/ESPN |
| Sat., Dec. 20 | No. 11 Tulane at No. 6 Ole Miss | Oxford, MS | TNT/HBO Max |
| Sat., Dec. 20 | No. 12 James Madison at No. 5 Oregon | Eugene, OR | TNT/HBO Max |
The New Year’s Six Quarterfinals
The winners of these intense first-round games will advance to the traditional New Year’s Six bowls. Moreover, these legendary sites host the quarterfinal round on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
- Wed., Dec. 31: Quarterfinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (Arlington, TX).
- Thu., Jan. 1: Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl (Miami Gardens, FL).
- Thu., Jan. 1: Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game (Pasadena, CA).
- Thu., Jan. 1: Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl (New Orleans, LA).
Semifinals and Championship
Two vital Playoff Semifinals are scheduled shortly thereafter. The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl takes place on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Furthermore, the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl will host the second semifinal on Friday, January 9, 2026. Finally, the victorious teams will travel to Florida. The CFP National Championship will be decided on Monday, January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Therefore, every snap matters as teams strive to reach the ultimate finale.
 schedule, 12-team bracket, dates, and host sites for the expanded postseason.){kind=link}