They announce the College Football Playoff field on Selection Sunday, which is the Sunday after conference championship Saturday each year.

When are they announcing it?

  • For recent and upcoming seasons under the 12‑team format, the bracket reveal has been scheduled for the first Sunday in December , typically in the early afternoon on ESPN.
  • For example, for the 2025‑26 season, the CFP bracket was announced on Sunday, December 7 , with games starting December 19.

How the announcement show works

  • The selection committee meets after all major conference title games are finished to rank teams and lock in the 12‑team bracket.
  • The reveal is done in a live TV special that unveils the top 12, seeding, first‑round matchups, and New Year’s bowl placements.

What to watch for this year

  • If you are checking “when are they announcing college football playoffs” for the current season, expect the announcement on Selection Sunday in early December , with the exact date matching the first Sunday after conference championship games on the schedule.
  • Networks and the official CFP site usually confirm the exact date and time months in advance, so checking the current season TV listings or the CFP website will give you the precise window for this year’s reveal.

TL;DR: The College Football Playoff teams are announced on Selection Sunday , the Sunday after conference championship games in early December , via a live TV special.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.