Nov 25, 2025
·Max Meyer
Year two of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff is almost here, with the selection show set for Sunday, Dec. 7 at 12 p.m. ET. The expanded format means more games, more teams and more chances for fans to experience the action live.
From on-campus matchups in the first round to famous college football venues hosting the later-round games, the CFP now offers more opportunities than ever to cheer in person. But with ticket demand high and prices constantly fluctuating, finding the best deals can still be a challenge.
Fortunately, SeatGeek’s suite of tools makes it easy to track prices, compare seats, and grab tickets that give you the best value. Here’s how to use them to maximize your game-day experience.
Use Deal Score to Find the Best College Football Playoff Values
SeatGeek’s Deal Score is one of our most powerful features, designed to help fans identify tickets that deliver the best value for the price. Instead of focusing solely on face value, Deal Score evaluates a combination of factors, including seat location, historical pricing data, and overall market demand. This ensures you’re not just paying less—you’re paying wisely for a good view of the action.
For College Football Playoff games, Deal Score is especially useful because high-demand games often have wide swings in price between similar sections. For instance, a lower-level sideline seat might appear expensive at first glance, but when compared to historical pricing and market trends, it could actually be a better deal than upper-level seats in a premium end zone section. Conversely, some upper-deck corners or end-zone sections may offer excellent views at a fraction of the cost, and Deal Score helps surface those options.
Tip: When searching for CFP tickets, always filter by Deal Score. This quickly highlights listings that give you the best combination of price and location, helping you maximize both your budget and your experience in the stadium.
Set Up Price Alerts to Catch CFP Deals in Real Time
Ticket prices for College Football Playoff games can shift quickly—sometimes daily, sometimes hourly. SeatGeek’s Price Alert feature allows fans to set custom alerts for their preferred sections, rows, or price ranges. Once a ticket meets your criteria, you receive an instant notification, giving you the chance to act before the best deals disappear.
This tool is especially valuable during high-demand weekends like the first-round games. Sellers often adjust prices in real time and with Price Alerts, you don’t have to constantly refresh listings or risk missing a good opportunity.
Tip: Set multiple alerts for different sections and price points. That way, you can cover a range of seating preferences and take advantage of last-minute opportunities. Combining Price Alerts with Deal Score ensures you’re not just getting tickets, but tickets that offer real value.
Compare Multiple Seats and Sections in One Place for CFP
Not all seats are created equal, and evaluating them across different sections can be daunting—unless you use SeatGeek’s interactive seat maps. These maps provide row-level views of every section in the stadium, along with price information, so you can compare options side by side without flipping between multiple listings.
This is particularly helpful for CFP games, where stadiums range from on-campus arenas to large NFL venues. Using the seat maps, you can spot under-the-radar sections with great sightlines. For example, an upper-corner seat might give you a perfect view of both end zones at a significantly lower cost than a sideline seat at the same stadium. These maps also make it easy to consider other factors, like shade, proximity to concessions, and accessibility options.
Tip: Don’t settle for the first listing you see. Take time to explore multiple sections and rows, and leverage SeatGeek’s filters and interactive tools to find the seats that provide the best combination of price, view and convenience.
Consider Last-Minute CFP Deals with Confidence
If your schedule allows flexibility, last-minute ticket shopping can sometimes yield significant savings. Many sellers reduce prices in the hours leading up to kickoff to avoid unsold inventory. SeatGeek’s real-time listings allow you to monitor these changes closely.
High-demand games like semifinals or the National Championship may seem intimidating, but hidden gems do appear for fans who are patient and informed. By combining Price Alerts and Deal Score, you can confidently snag tickets that are both affordable and well-located—even close to game time.
Tip: Check listings frequently on game day if you’re open to last-minute opportunities. While the best sections may sell out, there are often excellent deals on seats that still provide a solid viewing experience.
Use SeatGeek’s Filters to Tailor Your CFP Search
SeatGeek makes it easy to filter tickets by price, section, row, quantity and Deal Score. These options allow fans to narrow down listings quickly, especially important when inventory moves fast during semifinals or the championship game. Instead of scrolling through hundreds of listings, you can instantly find seats that meet your budget, travel party size, and preferred location in the stadium.
Filters are also helpful for fans traveling with a group. You can find adjacent seats in multiple sections, ensuring that everyone sits together without overpaying for premium rows.
Tip: Use filters to create a personalized search experience. Combine filters with Price Alerts and Deal Score for a highly targeted approach that saves both time and money.
Consider Weekday vs. Weekend CFP Games and Location
College Football Playoff games vary in schedule and location, which affects ticket prices and demand. The 2025-26 Playoff, for example, has the Fiesta Bowl semifinal on Thursday, January 8, while the National Championship is on Monday, Jan. 19. Travel distance plays a key role too—local fans often dominate ticket demand, pushing prices higher, while teams traveling from afar may have smaller, less competitive fan bases.
For example, if a semifinal features a team located close to the host stadium, expect premium sections to sell quickly. Conversely, games between two teams far from the venue may have more affordable options in certain sections, especially if one side of the stadium is dominated by traveling fans from the farther team.
Tip: Keep the game schedule and team locations in mind when planning your purchase. Understanding demand patterns can help you identify the best value sections for any CFP matchup.
Why You Should Buy College Football Playoff Tickets on SeatGeek
The College Football Playoff is one of the most thrilling live sports experiences in the country, but securing tickets at a reasonable price takes strategy. SeatGeek’s Deal Score, Price Alerts, interactive seat maps, filters and real-time listings give fans the tools they need to find the best deals—no matter the game or stadium.
Whether you’re attending a first-round matchup on campus or a showdown at a neutral-site bowl in the later rounds, SeatGeek makes it easy to maximize value, minimize stress, and enjoy every moment of the CFP experience.
Plan wisely, use the tools and get ready to cheer on your team live in college football’s most exciting atmospheres. Don’t forget to check out SeatGeek’s College Football Playoff tickets page, where you can see every 2025-26 CFP game in one convenient location.