The College Football Playoff (CFP) selection show is held on “Selection Sunday” in early December, the day after most conference championship games.

Core timing

  • For the new 12‑team format, the final CFP rankings and full playoff bracket are typically released on the Sunday following conference championship weekend in early December.
  • In the 2025‑26 season, for example, the CFP committee released its final rankings and bracket on Sunday, December 7 , after the league title games wrapped up.

How it fits the season

  • Conference championship games are usually played on Friday and Saturday of the first full weekend in December , and the selection show airs the next day.
  • Once the bracket is revealed on that Sunday, first‑round games begin roughly two weeks later in the December 19–20 window , with quarterfinals on Dec. 31–Jan. 1 , semifinals in early January, and the national title game in mid‑January.

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