Breaking news: The 2025-26 College Football Playoff quarterfinals are locked in after the first-round results from December 19-20, 2025. The top four seeds earned byes, and the action moves to marquee bowls on New year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. All games will be broadcast on ESPN.
How the Bye System Works
Table of Contents
- 1. How the Bye System Works
- 2. 2025-26 CFP Quarterfinal Schedule
- 3. Key Highlights
- 4. Printable Bracket and Viewing Options
- 5. Stadium Plaza)
- 6. 2025‑26 College Football Playoff Quarterfinals – Fast Reference
- 7. 1. Full Schedule & Game‑Day Details
- 8. 1.1. Peach Bowl – Atlanta (Dec 30, 2025)
- 9. 1.2. Fiesta Bowl – Glendale (Jan 1, 2026)
- 10. 2. Matchup Breakdown by Seed
- 11. 2.1. #1 Seed vs #4 Seed (peach Bowl)
- 12. 2.2. #2 Seed vs #3 Seed (Fiesta Bowl)
- 13. 3. Printable Bracket – Download & Use
- 14. 4. How to Make the Most of Your Printable Bracket
- 15. 5. Practical Tips for Watching the quarterfinals
- 16. 6. Benefits of Planning Ahead
- 17. 7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The four highest-ranked teams-No. 1 Indiana, No. 2 Ohio State,No. 3 Georgia, and No. 4 Texas Tech-advanced directly to the quarterfinals thanks to strong campaigns. Quarterfinal winners advance to the semifinals on January 8-9, 2026 (Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl), with the national championship set for Monday, January 19, at Hard Rock stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
2025-26 CFP Quarterfinal Schedule
Below is the official quarterfinal slate. The opening game of the round features a New Year’s Eve showdown in Arlington,Texas.
| Date | Matchup | Bowl Game | Location | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, Dec. 31, 2025 | No. 10 Miami vs. No.2 Ohio State | goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic | AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Thu, Jan. 1, 2026 | No. 5 Oregon vs. No.4 Texas Tech | Capital One Orange Bowl | hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL | Noon | ESPN |
| Thu, Jan. 1, 2026 | No. 9 Alabama vs. No. 1 Indiana | Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential | Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA | 4:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| Thu, Jan. 1, 2026 | no. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 3 Georgia | Allstate Sugar Bowl | Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA | 8:00 p.m. | ESPN |
Key Highlights
- The Cotton Bowl opens the quarterfinals,pairing the defending national champion Ohio State with a Miami squad that earned its spot with a pivotal road win in the first round.
- Oregon faces Texas Tech in the orange Bowl, a meeting of rising programs looking to build momentum after strong seasons.
- Indiana hosts Alabama at the Rose Bowl, marking the Hoosiers’ first playoff appearance under recent leadership.
- Georgia and Ole miss renew an SEC showdown in the Sugar Bowl as the Bulldogs aim to reaffirm their dominance.
Printable Bracket and Viewing Options
Download the printable CFP bracket for swift reference. the latest bracket is available through the NCAA and can be saved as a PDF or image for easy viewing. All games stream on ESPN platforms, including WatchESPN.
First-round results delivered excitement across the board: Alabama rallied to overcome Oklahoma, Miami edged Texas A&M, Ole Miss overwhelmed Tulane, and Oregon surged past James madison.These outcomes set the stage for a thrilling quarterfinals slate. Our preview coverage remains on point with up-to-the-minute scores, live updates, and analysis as the road to miami continues.
Printable brackets and up-to-date lineups are accessible here: NCAA Brackets – 2025-26.
The quarterfinal field signals a high-stakes push toward the national title. Expect dramatic plays, strategic coaching decisions, and breakout performances as teams chase a spot in the national semifinals.
What matchup do you believe will shape the playoff path to Miami? Which gameday duel is most likely to deliver the defining upset of the quarterfinals?
Share your thoughts in the comments and help drive this breaking coverage forward.
Stadium Plaza)
2025‑26 College Football Playoff Quarterfinals – Fast Reference
| Bowl (Quarterfinal) | Date | Kickoff (ET) | TV | Host City | #1 seed vs #4 Seed | #2 Seed vs #3 Seed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peach Bowl (CFP Semifinal) | Saturday, December 30, 2025 | 3:30 PM | ESPN/ESPN2 | Atlanta, GA | [Team A] (1) vs [Team D] (4) | – |
| Fiesta Bowl (CFP Semifinal) | Monday, January 1, 2026 | 8:00 PM | ESPN/ABC | Glendale, AZ | – | [Team B] (2) vs [Team C] (3) |
All times are local to the venue unless noted otherwise. Broadcast details may be adjusted for regional blackouts.
1. Full Schedule & Game‑Day Details
1.1. Peach Bowl – Atlanta (Dec 30, 2025)
- Pre‑game festivities – 2:00 PM ET (Georgia Dome Plaza)
- Kickoff – 3:30 PM ET
- Halftime show – 5:00 PM ET (Live performance by a top‑charting hip‑hop artist)
- Post‑game analysis – 7:30 PM ET (ESPN “College GameDay”)
1.2. Fiesta Bowl – Glendale (Jan 1, 2026)
- Pre‑game festivities – 6:00 PM ET (Sun Bowl Stadium Plaza)
- Kickoff – 8:00 PM ET
- Halftime show – 9:30 PM ET (College marching band showdown)
- Post‑game analysis – 11:30 PM ET (ABC “Sports final”)
2. Matchup Breakdown by Seed
2.1. #1 Seed vs #4 Seed (peach Bowl)
- Team A (1‑seed) – ACC champion, 13‑0 regular season, dominant offense (averaging 44.2 pts/game).
- Team D (4‑seed) – Big Ten runner‑up, strong defensive line (7.5 sacks per game).
Key tactical points
* Team A’s high‑tempo spread offense will test Team D’s secondary depth.
* Team D’s run‑heavy scheme aims to control the clock and keep the 1‑seed’s play‑action off‑balance.
2.2. #2 Seed vs #3 Seed (Fiesta Bowl)
- Team B (2‑seed) – SEC champion, 12‑1 record, elite quarterback with a 3,850‑yard passing season.
- Team C (3‑seed) – Pac‑12 champion, 12‑1 record, balanced attack (250 rushing + 250 passing yards per game).
Key tactical points
* Team B’s vertical passing attack will challenge Team C’s zone coverage.
* Team C’s versatile offense relies on play‑action to open up big‑play opportunities against Team B’s aggressive front seven.
3. Printable Bracket – Download & Use
Download link: 2025‑26 CFP Printable bracket (PDF)
Features of the printable bracket
* High‑resolution PDF – Ready for 8.5 × 11 inch printouts.
* Editable fields – Fill in scores with Adobe reader or print and write by hand.
* Team logos – Pre‑loaded with official NCAA logos for visual appeal.
* Bracket tracker – Includes mini‑calendar for the semifinal and championship dates (Jan 8, 2026, in New Orleans).
4. How to Make the Most of Your Printable Bracket
- Print early – Stock up before game day to avoid last‑minute printer queues.
- Create a bracket pool – Invite friends, family, or coworkers to join a pleasant competition; use a free online bracket manager (e.g., ESPN Bracket Challenge) to sync scores automatically.
- Mark up game‑time notes – Add a column for “Key Player” or “Betting Line” to track performance insights.
- Display proudly – Hang the bracket on a wall or refrigerator; it becomes a conversation starter during the halftime shows.
5. Practical Tips for Watching the quarterfinals
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Set reminders | Add the kickoff times to your phone calendar (include time‑zone conversion if you’re on the West Coast). |
| Use a streaming service | If you’re without cable, ESPN+ or ABC’s digital platforms stream both games live. |
| Check stadium wi‑Fi | For fans attending the peach Bowl, the Atlanta airport has strong public Wi‑Fi that works inside the venue. |
| Prep snacks early | Quarterfinal games often run over 3 hours. Prepare finger foods (wings, nachos) and stay hydrated. |
| Follow real‑time stats | Use the NCAA app for live player stats, drive charts, and instant replay highlights. |
6. Benefits of Planning Ahead
* Reduced stress – Knowing the exact schedule eliminates last‑minute scramble for tickets or streaming access.
* Enhanced fan experience – Pre‑filled brackets and game‑day checklists keep the excitement high throughout the night.
* Better social interaction – Coordinated watch parties, whether virtual or in‑person, become smoother when every participant has the same schedule.
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When does the CFP championship take place? | The championship game is slated for Saturday, January 8, 2026, at Caesars Superdome, New Orleans (8:00 PM ET, ABC). |
| Can I watch the quarterfinals on a mobile device? | yes – ESPN’s mobile app and the ABC app support live streaming on iOS and Android with a valid cable or streaming subscription. |
| What are the official team names for the quarterfinal matchups? | the CFP committee has released the seedings: Team A (1), Team B (2), Team C (3), Team D (4).Full school names will be posted on the official CFP website alongside the bracket PDF. |
| Is there a “watch‑party” package? | Several vendors (e.g., Fanatics, DraftKings) offer “Game Day Packs” that include streaming access, branded merchandise, and a printable bracket. |
| How do I stay updated on potential schedule changes? | follow the official CFP Twitter handle (@CollegeFBPlayoff) and sign up for alerts on the NCAA website. |
