2025-2026 12-team College Football Playoff Bracket

The CFP selection committee of 13 members made up of coaches, players, journalists and also experience people will create the 2026 College Football Playoff rankings and and vote to finalize the bracket. The committee will rank the 12-team College Football Playoff based on the five conference champions and the seven highest-ranked schools.

How does the 12-team College Football Playoff bracket works?

The four highest-ranked schools will earn the first round bye and rest of the 5-12 teams will meet in the first round following by No. 12 at No. 5, No. 11 at No. 6, No. 10 at No. 7 and No. 9 at No. 8. In the Playoff Quarterfinals, the highest-ranked teams will host the bowl games, with matchups as follows: No. 1 vs. the 8/9 winner, No. 4 vs. the 5/12 winner, No. 2 vs. the 7/10 winner, and No. 3 vs. the 6/11 winner. Sometimes the selection committee tries to avoid rematches between teams that played in the regular season.

When will the 12-team College Football Playoff be announced?

The selection committee will announce the 12-team College Football Playoff bracket on Saturday, December 6, 2026. The announcement will air on ESPN.

Where and when are the games played?

The 2026 College Football Playoff Semifinal games will be played into the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl after rotating among the Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl Game, Sugar Bowl, Cotton Bowl are set for quarterfinals games.