when does the college football playoffs start
The 2025–26 College Football Playoff starts with the first-round games on Friday, December 19, 2025.
Key dates
- First round begins: Friday, December 19, 2025, with games also on Saturday, December 20.
- Quarterfinals: Played on December 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026 (New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day).
- Semifinals: Held on January 8–9, 2026.
- National Championship: Monday, January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Simple timeline table
| Round | Dates (2025–26) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First Round | Dec. 19–20, 2025 | Playoff officially starts these days. | [3][5]
| Quarterfinals | Dec. 31, 2025–Jan. 1, 2026 | New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day bowl games. | [7][3]
| Semifinals | Jan. 8–9, 2026 | Hosted at Fiesta and Peach Bowls. | [1][7]
| National Championship | Jan. 19, 2026 | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida. | [5][9][1]