2027 College Football Playoff Bracket
2027 College Football Bracket Format
The College Football Playoff (CFP) uses a 12-team format beginning with the 2026 season. A 13-member selection committee-made up of former coaches, players, athletic directors, and media members-will rank the nation’s top teams and select the playoff field.
The playoff bracket includes the five highest-ranked conference champions and the next seven highest-ranked teams. These teams are seeded from No. 1 to No. 12 to determine the playoff matchups.
How the 12-Team College Football Playoff Bracket Works
The top four-ranked teams receive a first-round bye and automatically advance to the quarterfinals.
The first round features the remaining eight teams playing at campus sites:
- No. 12 at No. 5
- No. 11 at No. 6
- No. 10 at No. 7
- No. 9 at No. 8
The winners advance to the New Year’s bowl quarterfinals, where they face the top four seeds:
- No. 1 vs Winner of 8/9
- No. 2 vs Winner of 7/10
- No. 3 vs Winner of 6/11
- No. 4 vs Winner of 5/12
The quarterfinal winners then move on to the semifinal bowl games, with the final two teams meeting in the national championship.
When Will the 2026 CFP Bracket Be Announced?
The College Football Playoff Selection Committee will officially announce the 12-team playoff bracket on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026, during a special broadcast on ESPN.
Where Are the 2026-27 CFP Games Played?
The first-round games are played at the campus stadiums of the higher-seeded teams.
The quarterfinals and semifinals rotate among the traditional New Year’s Six bowl games.
For the 2026-27 season, the quarterfinals will be played at:
- Fiesta Bowl
- Cotton Bowl
- Peach Bowl
- Rose Bowl
The semifinals will take place at:
- Orange Bowl
- Sugar Bowl
The season will conclude with the College Football Playoff National Championship at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.