Note:
- This will likely be the last year for most of these bowl affiliations. TV contracts, big conferences who want more, a likely expansion of the CFP to 14 or 16 - it's all about to change. But most of the current deals go through the 2025 season.

How Will the 2025-2026 College Football Playoff work?
The four highest-ranked conference champions will get a bye.

The first round games will be played on the campuses of the higher-seeded teams on December 19th and 20th.

The Quarterfinals will be played in bowl venues: Goodyear Cotton Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl, Allstate Sugar Bowl. If available, the Big Ten champion will go to the Rose Bowl,

The Semifinals will be the Fiesta Bowl on January 8th, and the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on January 9th.

The College Football Playoff National Championship will be in Miami on January 19th.

2025-2026 College Football Playoff Schedule

First Round
Friday, Dec. 19
On Campus (1 game)

Saturday, Dec. 20
On Campus (3 games)

Quarterfinals
Wednesday, Dec. 31
Cotton Bowl

Thursday, Jan. 1
Orange Bowl
ACC, if possible

Rose Bowl
Big Ten, if possible

Sugar Bowl
Big 12 or SEC, if possible

Semifinals
Thursday, Jan. 8
Fiesta Bowl

Friday, Jan. 9
Peach Bowl

College Football Playoff National Championship
Monday, Jan. 19
Miami Gardens, FL


MAC Bowl Ties, Affiliations

The top-ranked conference champion from the AAC, CUSA, MAC, Mountain West, and Sun Belt will be in the College Football Playoff.

The MAC is affiliated with these bowl slots. There isn't a true pecking order.

- Bahamas Bowl vs Conference USA
- Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl vs Mountain West
- Famous Idaho Potato Bowl vs Mountain West
- GameAbove Sports Bowl vs Big Ten

The MAC will play in at least two of these bowls based on matchups, geography, and availability

- 68 Ventures Bowl vs Sun Belt
- Boca Raton Bowl vs Group of Five
- Camellia Bowl vs AAC or Sun Belt
- Cure Bowl vs Group of Five
- Frisco Bowl vs Group of Five
- Myrtle Beach Bowl vs AAC or Sun Belt
- New Mexico Bowl vs Conference USA