The College Football Playoff will have a 12-team playoff bracket for the 2025-26 season, the second year of that size after expanding from the four-team format. Here's what you need to know about the change:
How CFP teams are selected under new format
The 12-team College Football Playoff field will include the five highest-ranked conference champions, which will receive automatic bids. The seven highest-ranked teams remaining will round out the 12-team format.
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Where CFP games will be played
As of 2025, the teams ranked Nos. 1-4 will also be seeded Nos. 1-4 and receive a first-round bye. Previously, in the first edition of the 12-team CFP during the 2024 season, the four highest-ranked conference champions received a first-round bye, regardless of ranking.
Seeds 5-12 will play each other in the first round. The higher-seeded teams will play host in their first round games. Here's a breakdown of the first round matchups:
- No. 5 vs. No. 12
- No. 6 vs. No. 11
- No. 7 vs. No. 10
- No. 8 vs. No. 9
New Year's Six bowl games will be introduced in the quarterfinal round. The semifinals will be played in bowls on a rotating basis while the national championship host site is determined through bids by prospective host sites.
The CFP for the 2025 season:
| Game | Date |
|---|---|
| First round | Dec. 19-20 |
| Cotton Bowl | Quarterfinals | 7:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 31 |
| Orange, Rose, Sugar Bowls | Quarterfinals | 12, 4, 8 p.m. on Jan. 1 |
| Fiesta Bowl | Semifinals | 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 8 |
| Peach Bowl | Semifinals | 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 9 |
| Miami Gardens, Fla. | National Championship | 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 19 |
Tap here to learn more about the 12-team CFP expansion for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
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