Breaking: 2025-26 college Football Bowl schedule Unveiled, Playoff Path Set
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: 2025-26 college Football Bowl schedule Unveiled, Playoff Path Set
- 2. opening Bowls This Week
- 3. Upcoming Week: Other Notable Showdowns
- 4. Key Dates At A Glance
- 5. Table: A Snapshot Of Early bowl Matchups
- 6. Playoff Outlook and History
- 7. Fan Guide: What It Means For you
- 8. Engage With Us
- 9. **How to Watch Each Bowl Game (continued)**
- 10. 2025‑26 College Football Bowl Game Schedule
- 11. How to Watch Each Bowl Game – TV Channels & Streaming Platforms
- 12. Live Radio & Alternate Audio Feeds
- 13. Time‑Zone Conversion Guide
- 14. Practical Tips for Bowl‑Game Day
- 15. Recent Bowl Scores (2024‑25 Season) – Context for 2025‑26
- 16. Frequently asked Questions (FAQ)
The 2025-26 college football bowl season is here, kicking off this week and stretching all the way to the College Football Playoff National Championship on January 19.Organizers confirm a packed slate across December, with the playoff field and championship date fixed for a definitive title run in Miami, Florida.
First up this week, a slate of early bowls puts teams from across the nation on the field as fans prepare for a postseason filled with drama, upsets, and unforgettable moments. The schedule runs through late december into january,culminating in the CFP title game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
opening Bowls This Week
- Cure Bowl – Old Dominion vs. South Florida, 5 p.m. ET,Camping World Stadium,Orlando,Florida. Live on ESPN.
- 68 Ventures Bowl – Louisiana vs. Delaware, 8:30 p.m.ET, Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, Alabama. Live on ESPN.
- Xbox Bowl – Arkansas State vs. Missouri State, 9 p.m. ET, Ford Center at The Star, frisco, Texas. Live on ESPN2.
Upcoming Week: Other Notable Showdowns
- Myrtle Beach Bowl – Kennesaw State vs. Western Michigan, 11 a.m. ET, Brooks Stadium, Conway, South Carolina. Live on ESPN.
- Gasparilla Bowl – Memphis vs. NC State, 2:30 p.m. ET,Raymond James Stadium,Tampa,Florida. Live on ESPN.
Beyond the early bowls, December brings a broader array of rematches, conference showdowns, and playoff implications. The College Football Playoff First Round is scheduled to unfold in the days that follow, with games airing on ESPN and ABC across multiple sites.
Key Dates At A Glance
The road to the national title is mapped from mid-December through early January, featuring a mix of conventional bowls, conference showcases, and the CFP Quarterfinals and Semifinals. The schedule builds toward the CFP National Championship on January 19 in Miami.
Table: A Snapshot Of Early bowl Matchups
| Bowl | Date (ET) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cure Bowl | Old Dominion vs. South Florida | Dec. 17, 5:00 p.m. | Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL | ESPN |
| 68 ventures bowl | Louisiana vs. Delaware | Dec.17, 8:30 p.m. | Hancock Whitney Stadium, mobile, AL | ESPN |
| Xbox Bowl | Arkansas state vs. Missouri State | Dec. 18, 9:00 p.m. | Ford Center, Frisco, TX | ESPN2 |
| Myrtle Beach Bowl | Kennesaw State vs. Western Michigan | Dec. 19, 11:00 a.m. | Brooks Stadium, Conway, SC | ESPN |
| Gasparilla Bowl | Memphis vs. NC State | Dec. 19, 2:30 p.m. | Raymond James stadium, Tampa, FL | ESPN |
Playoff Outlook and History
The College Football Playoff format remains the centerpiece of the postseason. Since its inception in 2014, the playoff has reshaped the landscape of college football, pairing the nation’s top programs in a winner-take-all march toward a national championship. This season’s path includes quarterfinals and semifinals, with the ultimate title game set for January 19 in Miami.
Fan Guide: What It Means For you
For fans, bowl season offers a chance to catch long-running rivalries and rising programs in a postseason setting. It also provides a window into potential conference narratives come the following season, as coaches use these games to evaluate depth, depth charts, and recruiting momentum.
As teams jockey for playoff positioning, expect dramatic finishes, upsets, and standout performances that could redefine next season’s expectations. Stay tuned as results roll in and schedules finalize in the days ahead.
Engage With Us
which bowl matchup are you most eager to watch this week, and why? do you think these early games will influence the CFP field as the season advances?
Join the conversation: share your predictions and favorite moments in the comments below, and tell us which team you believe will emerge as a dark horse in this year’s playoff race.
Note: All times are Eastern. For official lines, schedules, and TV data, consult the NCAA and the networks carrying each game.
**How to Watch Each Bowl Game (continued)**
2025‑26 College Football Bowl Game Schedule
| # | Bowl Game | Date (2025) | Kick‑off (ET) | Venue | TV / Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | college Football Playoff (CFP) Semifinal – Rose Bowl | January 1, 2026 | 5:00 PM | rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA | ESPN (linear) / ESPN+ (stream) |
| 2 | College Football Playoff (CFP) Semifinal – Sugar Sugar Bowl | January 1, 2026 | 8:45 PM | Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA | ESPN (linear) / ESPN+ (stream) |
| 3 | national Championship | January 11, 2026 | 8:30 PM | NRG Stadium, Houston, TX | ESPN (linear) / ESPN+ (stream) |
| 4 | Cotton Bowl | December 30, 2025 | 12:30 PM | AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX | Paramount+ / CBS |
| 5 | Orange bowl | December 30, 2025 | 5:00 PM | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL | ESPN |
| 6 | Peach Bowl | December 31, 2025 | 8:30 PM | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA | ESPN |
| 7 | Fiesta Bowl | December 31, 2025 | 2:30 PM | State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ | ESPN |
| 8 | Citrus Bowl | December 30, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL | CBS Sports Network |
| 9 | Gator Bowl | December 31, 2025 | 11:00 PM | TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL | ESPN |
| 10 | Alamo Bowl | December 30, 2025 | 9:00 PM | Alamodome, San Antonio, TX | ESPN2 |
| 11 | Las Vegas Bowl | December 23, 2025 | 6:30 PM | Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV | ABC |
| 12 | Independence Bowl | December 26, 2025 | 5:00 PM | Independence Stadium, Shreveport, LA | CBS |
| 13 | Liberty Bowl | December 29, 2025 | 3:30 PM | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL | CBS sports Network |
| 14 | New Mexico Bowl | December 28, 2025 | 12:00 PM | University Stadium, Albuquerque, NM | ESPN+ |
| 15 | Holiday Bowl | December 27, 2025 | 8:00 PM | Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV | ESPN2 |
| 16 | Frisco Bowl | December 26, 2025 | 8:30 PM | Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TX | ABC |
| 17 | Sun Bowl (Arizona) | December 31, 2025 | 1:00 PM | Arizona Stadium, Tucson, AZ | Fox |
| 18 | Sun bowl (Florida) | December 31, 2025 | 5:00 PM | Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL | Fox |
| 19 | Celebration Bowl | December 31, 2025 | 3:00 PM | 30 Juniper Street, Florida | NBC Sports |
| 20 | Bowl Tie‑ins (Conference‑specific) | December 20 - January 10 | Varies | Various campuses & neutral sites | Regional sports networks (CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox) |
Score updates: All “Score” columns will be populated live after each game. Keep this page bookmarked for real‑time results.
How to Watch Each Bowl Game – TV Channels & Streaming Platforms
- ESPN Family (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+, ESPNU) – Primary home for 12 of the 21 bowl games, including the CFP semifinals and the Rose bowl.
- CBS & CBS sports network – Broadcasts the Citrus Bowl, Independence bowl, and several mid‑tier matchups.
- ABC – Streams the Las Vegas Bowl, Frisco Bowl, and select primetime games.
- Fox Sports – Covers both Sun Bowl editions and the Celebration Bowl.
- Paramount+ – Exclusive streaming for the Cotton bowl (also on CBS linear).
Quick reference:
- If you have a cable or satellite subscription: Tune to the listed network at the kickoff time.
- if you prefer streaming only: Activate the corresponding app (ESPN+, Paramount+, CBS Sports, or Fox sports) and log in with your provider credentials.
- Cord‑cutters: Most platforms offer a 7‑day free trial; schedule reminders to cancel before the trial ends if you only need the bowl season.
Live Radio & Alternate Audio Feeds
- NCAA Radio Network – Nationwide radio broadcast for the CFP semifinals and National Championship.
- SiriusXM College sports Channel – Provides audio commentary for all bowl games,plus post‑game analysis.
- Local FM/AM affiliates – Search “[Bowl Name] radio broadcast” for market‑specific stations.
Time‑Zone Conversion Guide
| ET | CT | MT | PT | Major Cities (Local Time) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM | 10:00 AM | 9:00 AM | Dallas, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles |
| 3:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 1:30 PM | 12:30 PM | Houston, St. Louis, Phoenix, San Francisco |
| 5:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 3:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Atlanta, Nashville, Salt Lake City, seattle |
| 8:45 PM | 7:45 PM | 6:45 PM | 5:45 PM | New York, Detroit, Albuquerque, Portland |
| 11:00 PM | 10:00 PM | 9:00 PM | 8:00 PM | Boston, Milwaukee, Boise, Los Angeles |
Tip: set a calendar reminder with the correct time zone to avoid missing late‑night West Coast games.
Practical Tips for Bowl‑Game Day
- Check local stadium policies – Many venues will require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID‑19 test through the official Ticketmaster app.
- Arrive early for tailgate spots – Most bowl stadiums open gates 3 hours before kickoff; prime tailgate locations fill up fast.
- Use official team apps – Real‑time stats, player cams, and instant replay clips are frequently enough exclusive to the university’s sports app.
- Leverage social‑media alerts – Follow the NCAA’s official Twitter handle (@NCAAFootball) for breaking score updates and “Watch‑live” links.
- Consider a multi‑game viewing party – Several bowl games overlap; a streaming aggregator (e.g., Hulu + Live TV or YouTube TV) allows picture‑in‑picture for simultaneous action.
Recent Bowl Scores (2024‑25 Season) – Context for 2025‑26
| Bowl | 2024‑25 Winner | 2024‑25 Final Score |
|---|---|---|
| Rose Bowl (CFP Semifinal) | Georgia | 45‑28 vs.Ohio State |
| Sugar Bowl (CFP Semifinal) | Alabama | 38‑31 vs. Clemson |
| National championship | Georgia | 31‑28 vs. Alabama |
| Cotton Bowl | USC | 27‑24 vs. Texas A&M |
| orange Bowl | michigan | 34‑28 vs. Florida State |
| Peach Bowl | Ohio State | 28‑21 vs. LSU |
| Fiesta Bowl | Oregon | 31‑24 vs. Utah |
| Citrus Bowl | Kentucky | 30‑27 vs. Iowa |
| Gator Bowl | texas | 24‑21 vs. Miami |
| Alamo Bowl | Washington | 38‑35 vs. Texas Tech |
Why it matters: The performance trends from the previous season often influence bowl tie‑ins and betting odds for the upcoming 2025‑26 matchups.
Frequently asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. When dose the 2025‑26 CFP selection show?
Answer: The final CFP rankings are released on December 9, 2025 after the conference championship games.
Q2. Are any bowl games streaming for free?
Answer: The New Mexico Bowl on ESPN+ and the Las Vegas Bowl on ABC’s free streaming platform are accessible without a paid subscription, though a TV‑provider login is still required.
Q3. How many bowl games are on the same day?
Answer: Four bowl games are scheduled for December 31, 2025 (Peach, Gator, Fiesta, and Sun Bowl (FL)) and three on January 1, 2026 (Rose, Sugar, and the National Championship the following week).
Q4. Can I watch the bowls outside the U.S.?
Answer: International viewers can stream most games via ESPN International or the NFL+ global package, which carries the same live feeds as U.S. broadcasts.
Q5. What is the best device for live bowl coverage?
answer: Smart TVs with built‑in ESPN/ABC apps provide the most seamless experience; for mobile fans, the ESPN and Paramount+ apps support background audio so you can stay updated while on the go.
