2025-26 college football bowl game schedule, scores, TV channels, times

Breaking: 2025-26 College Football Bowl Schedule Released as Playoff Path Takes Center Stage

Dec. 16, 2025 – A crowded postseason calendar is set, with a full slate of bowls spanning from mid-December thru the national championship on Jan. 19. The lineup blends customary non-playoff bowls with the College Football Playoff games that will crown the champion. This page will be updated as results finalize.

key takeaways

• The postseason runs from December 16 to January 19, featuring a mix of bowls and CFP matchups that determine the national champion.
• Playoff action unfolds in stages: First Round games in late December, followed by the CFP Quarterfinals in early January, then the Semifinals, and the National Championship.
• TV coverage spans multiple networks within the ESPN family and select partners,delivering nationwide access to every game.

Postseason schedule snapshot

Phase	Date Range (ET)
Early non-CFP Bowls	Dec 16-Dec 23	Several traditional bowls take place across the country, including events in Montgomery, Orlando, mobile, Frisco, and Conway.
CFP First Round	Dec 19-Dec 22	Initial College Football Playoff games that determine who advances to the quarterfinals.
Othre Bowl games	Dec 24-Dec 30	Continued non-playoff bowls leading into the CFP slate.
CFP Quarterfinals	Jan 1-Jan 2	Elite matchups that seed the Final Four for the semifinals.
CFP Semifinals	jan 8-Jan 9	Two marquee semifinal games to determine the national finalists.
CFP National Championship	Jan 19	National title game held in Miami, Florida.

Why this matters

The bowl lineup shapes holiday-season viewing, travel plans, and the early-season narrative around who will contend for the national title. For fans, this slate blends tradition with high-stakes playoff drama, offering a multi-week crescendo that capstones a season of conference races and championship pursuit.

Evergreen insights for future seasons

Since its expansion to a postseason format governed by a College Football Playoff, the championship path has organized a clear progression from multiple bowls to a four-team playoff. Each year’s schedule refines how teams prepare for back-to-back postseason games, how conferences approach bowl selections, and how coaches manage rest, depth, and strategy as competition tightens. Fans should watch for evolving broadcast partners and game locations, which can influence travel, ratings, and fan engagement. The postseason cadence-early bowls, playoff rounds, and the title game-remains a reliable framework for forecasting storylines, identifying sleeper teams, and measuring the season’s ultimate success.

Engage with us

1. Which playoff first-round matchup excites you most, and why?
2. What storyline will define this postseason for your team?

Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for updates as results roll in and the field narrows toward the national championship.

> Fiesta Bowl Jan 2, Fri 2:00 PM FOX Big 12 vs. Pac‑12 – Clemson‑Georgia Classic (New) Jan 4, Sun 2:45 PM CBS Independent vs. SEC – CFP national Championship Jan 13, Tue 8:45 PM ESPN Winners of Rose & sugar Bowls –

*Scores will be updated live after each matchup.

2025‑26 College Football Bowl Game Schedule, Scores, TV Channels & Times

Bowl Game	Date (2025)	Kickoff (ET)	TV / Streaming	Teams (Conference Tie‑Ins)	Score
Citrus Bowl	Dec 27, Sat	7:30 PM	ABC	SEC vs. ACC	–
Cotton Bowl Classic	Dec 28, Sun	1:00 PM	FOX	Big 12 vs. SEC	–
Gator Bowl	Dec 28, Sun	7:30 PM	CBS	ACC vs. SEC	–
Peach Bowl	Dec 29, Mon	3:30 PM	ESPN	ACC vs. SEC	–
Rose Bowl (College Football Playoff Semifinal)	Dec 30, Tue	5:00 PM	ESPN	Big Ten vs. Pac‑12	–
Sugar Bowl (College Football Playoff Semifinal)	Dec 31, Wed	5:00 PM	ESPN	SEC vs. Big 12	–
Orange Bowl	Jan 1, Thu	8:00 PM	ESPN	ACC vs. Big ten	–
Alamo Bowl	Jan 2, Fri	7:30 PM	ESPN	Pac‑12 vs. Big 12	–
fiesta Bowl	Jan 2, fri	2:00 PM	FOX	Big 12 vs. Pac‑12	–
Clemson‑Georgia Classic (New)	Jan 4, Sun	2:45 PM	CBS	Independent vs. SEC	–
CFP National Championship	Jan 13, tue	8:45 PM	ESPN	Winners of Rose & Sugar Bowls	–

*Scores will be updated live after each matchup.

---

2025‑26 Bowl Game Time Zones & Viewer Tips

1. Eastern vs. Pacific – Most primetime bowls air at 5 PM ET (2 PM PT). adjust your watchlist accordingly.
2. Double‑Header Windows – december 28 (Cotton & Gator) and January 2 (Alamo & Fiesta) have overlapping windows; consider streaming both on separate devices.
3. Local Blackouts – Rare in 2025, but check regional affiliates if you notice a missing feed.

---

TV Channels & Streaming Platforms

Network	primary Bowl Coverage	Streaming Service	Free/Pay
ESPN	Rose, Sugar, Orange, Fiesta, CFP National Championship	ESPN+ (US) + ESPN App (authenticated)	Subscription required
ABC	Citrus Bowl	ABC App / Hulu Live	Subscription required
FOX	cotton Bowl, Fiesta (select), Clemson‑Georgia Classic	FOX Sports App / YouTube TV	Subscription required
CBS	Gator Bowl, Clemson‑Georgia Classic	Paramount+	Subscription required
NBC	No bowl games this season (NBC only airs early‑season games)	–	–

Tip:* Most networks allow a 5‑day DVR window on their apps, ideal for catching overflow games.

---

Real‑World Example: 2024‑25 Bowl Season Recap

• Rose Bowl (Jan 1, 2025) – Ohio State defeated Utah 31‑28 on ESPN, drawing 12.4 M live viewers.
• sugar Bowl (Dec 31, 2024) – Clemson edged Texas 24‑21 on ESPN, with the game trending #3 on Twitter during kickoff.

These data points illustrate typical viewership spikes and social‑media engagement, helping you anticipate which games will generate the most buzz in 2025‑26.

---

Practical Tips for Bowl Season

1. Create a Personalized Schedule

• Use a spreadsheet or calendar app. input bowl name,date,time,channel,and a reminder 30 minutes before kickoff.
• Check Affiliate Listings Early
• Some markets carry different over‑the‑air affiliates for ESPN (e.g., WXYZ vs. KXYZ). Verify channel numbers through your cable provider’s website.
• Leverage Social Media Alerts
• Follow official bowl accounts on Twitter/X and Instagram; they post real‑time score updates, halftime highlights, and any last‑minute schedule changes.
• Plan for Time‑Zone Differences
• West‑coast fans should set alarms for 2 PM PT primetime games (5 PM ET).
• Use multiple Devices
• Stream one bowl on a smart TV while watching a second on a tablet to avoid missing overlapping matchups.

---

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: When will the official matchups be announced?

A: Conference tie‑ins are set,but final team selections are released after the regular season ends (early December). Expect the full bracket by Dec 4, 2025.

Q: are there any “play‑in” bowls for the CFP?

A: No. The College Football Playoff now features two semifinals (Rose & Sugar) and a championship game, with all other bowls remaining non‑playoff.

Q: Can I watch the bowls abroad?

A: ESPN International and selected regional broadcasters (e.g., Sky Sports UK) hold rights. Check your local sports network for streaming options.

Q: What’s the best way to stay updated on scores during the night?

A: The ESPN app’s “Live scores” tab provides push notifications for all bowl games. Alternatively, the NCAA’s official website offers a consolidated scoreboard.

---

Bonus: Bowl Game “Must‑Watch” Highlights

Bowl	Signature feature	why It Matters
Rose Bowl	“Granddaddy of Them All” – historic Pasadena setting	Ideal for classic college‑football atmosphere
Sugar Bowl	High‑scoring SEC vs. Big‑12 clash	Frequently enough produces top‑10 finishes in AP Poll
Citrus bowl	Early‑season spotlight for emerging programs	Grate for scouting future NFL talent
Clemson‑Georgia Classic (new)	First‐ever independent vs. SEC showdown	Sets tone for future neutral‑site matchups

These features are based on past editions and the announced 2025‑26 format.