The 2025-26 College Football Playoff bracket was trimmed to eight teams over the weekend after four first-round games were contested on campuses across the country.
Alabama and Miami became the first teams in the 12-team playoff era to win on the road, but James Madison and Tulane didn’t have the same luck against Power 4 opposition.
As we get set for the quarterfinals, let’s check out the updated College Football Playoff bracket and schedule, as we continue on the journey to the 2026 CFP National Championship in Miami.
College Football Playoff Bracket
The College Football Playoff bracket began with 12 teams: the five-highest-ranked conference champions and the next seven highest-ranked teams. All rankings were determined by the CFP selection committee.
The four highest-ranked teams, regardless of how they finished in their conference, received a bye to the quarterfinals, where they will play the winner of one of four first-round matchups. From there, the bracket will proceed as usual to the semifinals and National Championship, where a champion will be crowned.
Here is the latest 2025-26 College Football Playoff bracket:
College Football Playoff Schedule
The College Football Playoff schedule features four stages: the first round, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the National Championship.
In all, 11 games will be played to determine the top team in college football.
Let’s take a look at the 2025-26 CFP Schedule by round.
First Round
Friday, Dec. 19
Alabama 34, Oklahoma 24 — Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK (8 p.m. ET/ABC & ESPN)
Saturday, Dec. 20
Miami 10, Texas A&M 3 — Kyle Field, College Station, TX (Noon ET/ABC & ESPN)
Ole Miss 41, Tulane 10 — Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, MS (3:30 p.m. ET/TNT, HBO Max, truTV)
Oregon 51, James Madison 34 — Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OR (7:30 ET/TNT, HBO Max, truTV)
Quarterfinals
Wednesday, Dec. 31
Cotton Bowl: No. 10 Miami vs No. 2 Ohio State — AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX (7:30 p.m. ET/ESPN)
Thursday, Jan. 1
Orange Bowl: No. 5 Oregon vs No. 4 Texas Tech — Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL (Noon ET/ESPN)
Rose Bowl: No. 9 Alabama vs No. 1 Indiana — Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA (4 p.m. ET/ESPN)
Sugar Bowl: No. 6 Ole Miss vs No. 3 Georgia — Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA (8 p.m. ET/ESPN)
Semifinals
Thursday, Jan. 8
Fiesta Bowl: Winner of Sugar Bowl vs Winner of Cotton Bowl — State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ (7:30 p.m. ET/ESPN)
Friday, Jan. 9
Peach Bowl: Winner of Orange Bowl vs Winner of Rose Bowl — Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA (7:30 p.m. ET/ESPN)
CFP National Championship
Monday, Jan. 19
Winner of Fiesta Bowl vs Winner of Peach Bowl — Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL (7:30 p.m. ET/ESPN)
If you’re interested in NCAAF futures betting advice, head over to our CFP odds page to find our thoughts on who will win the 2026 college football National Championship and more.
