CFP dates, times locked in; Rose Bowl moves up one hour

Field Level Media|published: Tue 22nd April, 14:52 2025

Jan 1, 2025; Pasadena, CA, USA; General view of the second half between the Oregon Ducks and the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2025 Rose Bowl college football quarterfinal game at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The College Football Playoff announced game times for the 2026 quarterfinals and semifinals and the national championship game on Tuesday.

The CFP championship, to be played in Miami Gardens, Fla., will be played on the third Monday in January for the second straight year, Jan. 19, with a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff.

The quarterfinals will be split between New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. After the Cotton Bowl is played Dec. 31 at 7:30 ET, Jan. 1 will see a tripleheader of the Orange Bowl, the Rose Bowl and the Sugar Bowl.

Notably, the Rose Bowl kicks off at 4 ET/1 PT, one hour earlier than it's traditionally played. Famous for its midgame sunset over the stadium, the game's new time means the sunset may occur much later in the game, or after the game ends altogether.

The Orange Bowl will kick off the tripleheader at noon ET, and the Sugar Bowl will begin at 8 ET.

The Fiesta and Peach Bowls will take their turns as semifinal hosts in 2026. The Fiesta Bowl will be played Thursday, Jan. 8 at 7:30 ET, and the Peach Bowl will come Friday, Jan. 9 at the same time.

--Field Level Media