College Football Playoff finale brings in 30.1M viewers

Field Level Media|published: Fri 23rd January, 11:32 2026

Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) drops back to pass against the Miami Hurricanes in the first half during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Indiana's 27-21 victory over Miami on Monday averaged 30.1 million viewers, making it the second-most watched College Football Playoff national championship game on record.

The game, which peaked at 33.2 million viewers in the first half, fell just short of the inaugural CFP title game on Jan. 12, 2015. An average of 33.9 million viewers watched as Ezekiel Elliott ran for 246 yards and four touchdowns in Ohio State's 42-20 victory over Oregon in that contest.

The Hoosiers' win over the Hurricanes ranked as the most-watched American sports telecast -- outside of the NFL -- since Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, when the Chicago Cubs captured their first World Series title since 1908 with an 8-7 victory over the then-Cleveland Indians.

Monday's game left last year's CFP title game in the dust. An average of 22.1 million viewers tuned in as Ohio State posted a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame.

--Field Level Media

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