College Football Playoff announces new dates for 2026, 2027 seasons

The College Football Playoff is shaking up its schedule for the 2026 and 2027 seasons, adding an extra week in between the quarterfinal game dates, per a Feb. 3 release.

The semifinals took place on Jan. 8 and 9 in the 2025 CFP, one week after Ohio State’s quarterfinal game versus Miami on New Year’s Eve and the other three games on New Year’s Day. Next season, quarterfinal games will be played on Dec. 30 and Jan. 1. The semifinal games will not be played until Jan. 14 and 15.

“These dates allow us to maintain competitive balance, maximize the fan experience and provide consistency for everyone involved in the playoff,” said Rich Clark, the executive director of the CFP in the release.

Though no quarterfinal game will be held on New Year’s Eve in 2026, the 2027 schedule lists the Sugar Bowl on Dec. 31, 2027, followed by the Fiesta, Peach and Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 2028. Semifinal games are scheduled two weeks after on Jan. 13 and Jan. 14, 2028.

College Football Playoff quarterfinal, semifinal and national championship dates in 2026, 2027 seasons

2026-27 season

• CFP quarterfinals
  • Dec. 30 at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
  • Jan. 1 at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl and the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential
• CFP semifinals
  • Jan. 14 at the Capital One Orange Bowl
  • Jan. 15 at the Allstate Sugar Bowl
• CFP national championship
  • Jan. 25 at Las Vegas

2027-28 season

• CFP quarterfinals
  • Dec. 31, 2027, at the Allstate Sugar Bowl
  • Jan.1, 2028, at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl and the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential
• CFP semifinals
  • Jan. 13, 2028, at the Capital One Orange Bowl
  • Jan. 14, 2028, at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
• 2027-28 national championship
  • Jan. 24, 2028, New Orleans

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: College Football Playoff schedule changes for 2026, 2027 seasons