2024 and 2025 CFP Schedule and Bowl Assignments Finalized

The dates and locations for the first two years of College Football Playoff expansion have been announced.
© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Expansion.

That's where the College Football Playoff is headed. After the 2023-24 season, the field will expand from four to 12 teams — beginning with the 2024-25 season.

The first round of games will be played at the higher seed's home stadium. The quarterfinals, semifinals and championship game will be played at neutral sites — like it has been for years.

Here are the dates and locations for the first two years of the expanded playoff:

2024

First Round (Home Sites)

  • Dec. 20, 2024: One game
  • Dec. 21, 2024: Three games

Quarterfinals

  • Dec. 31, 2024: Fiesta Bowl
  • Jan. 1, 2025: Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl

Semifinals

  • Jan. 9, 2025: Orange Bowl
  • Jan. 10, 2025: Cotton Bowl

Championship Game

  • Jan. 20, 2025: Atlanta, Ga. (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)

2025

First Round (Home Sites)

  • Dec. 19, 2025: One game
  • Dec. 20, 2025: Three games

Quarterfinals

  • Dec. 31, 2025: Cotton Bowl
  • Jan. 1, 2026: Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl

Semifinals

  • Jan. 8, 2026: Fiesta Bowl
  • Jan. 9, 2026: Peach Bowl

Championship Game

  • Jan. 19, 2026: Miami, Fla. (Hard Rock Stadium)

One topic for debate will be the intersection of College Football Playoff games and NFL regular season games. The NFL begins playing Saturday games the same week as the first round of the new CFP.

It will be interesting to see how the two sports do with ratings — college football should still receive plenty of attention with more fan bases involved with the larger playoff system.

See Also:

Is There More Pressure To Succeed in the NFL on Bryce Young or Will Anderson? All Things CW

Did Alabama Football Meet Its Needs in the Transfer Portal? Just A Minute

Bryce Young to Wear No. 9 for the Carolina Panthers


Published
Austin Hannon
AUSTIN HANNON

Austin Hannon joined the BamaCentral team in December 2022. He graduated from The University of Alabama with a degree in sports media and brings a ton of journalism experience. Hannon is the former sports editor of The Crimson White, the University's school newspaper. Hannon's coverage focuses primarily on Alabama football, men's basketball and baseball. Contact: cahannon01@gmail.com