About College Football Playoffs
The College Football Playoff (CFP) is the system used to determine the national champion of NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). It replaced the controversial Bowl Championship Series (BCS) in 2014, marking a significant shift in how college football crowns its champion. Before the CFP, national champions were decided based on a combination of polls and computer rankings, which often left fans, teams, and analysts dissatisfied. The CFP introduced a four-team playoff format, with teams selected by a 13-member committee based on various factors, including win-loss records, strength of schedule, and head-to-head results.
The CFP structure is straightforward yet competitive. Each year, the top four teams are ranked and seeded by the selection committee. These teams face off in two semifinal games, which are hosted by six rotating bowl games known as the "New Year's Six" (Rose, Sugar, Orange, Cotton, Peach, and Fiesta Bowls). The winners of the semifinals then advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship, a standalone game held at a neutral site. This format has brought much-needed clarity and excitement to the determination of college football's champion, fostering intense debates and widespread engagement throughout the season.
Over the years, the CFP has produced numerous memorable moments. In the inaugural 2014-15 season, Ohio State entered as the No. 4 seed and shocked the college football world by defeating top-seeded Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and then dominating Oregon in the championship game. Clemson's rise to prominence has also been a hallmark of the CFP era, highlighted by their stunning victory over Alabama in the 2016 championship game with a last-second touchdown pass from Deshaun Watson to Hunter Renfrow. Another standout moment occurred in 2021 when Alabama's dominance continued as they routed Ohio State, solidifying Nick Saban's legacy as one of college football's greatest coaches.
The CFP has not been without its controversies and calls for expansion. Fans and analysts have frequently debated the fairness of the four-team structure, arguing that it excludes worthy teams from consideration. These discussions led to an expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams beginning in 2024, with Ohio State winning the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff after the eighth-seeded Buckeyes beat Tennessee, Oregon, Texas and Notre Dame during their remarkable CFP run. As the CFP continues to evolve, its impact on the sport and its ability to produce high-stakes drama ensure its place as one of the most captivating events in American sports.
College Football Playoff Tickets and 2025-2026 Schedule
Learn more about CFP tickets and this year's 2025-2026 schedule.
How much are College Football Playoff tickets?
College Football Playoff ticket prices depend on the matchup, venue and seat location, amongst other factors. Typically, you can find College Football Playoff tickets for as low as $131. Ticket prices tend to drop closer to the event date, but may increase once teams are announced.
Not sure when to buy your College Football Playoff tickets? Once you find and click into the event you want to attend, you can "track" it by clicking the heart icon at the top of the page. You'll receive email notifications on price drops and other pricing changes, so you can choose the best time to buy your College Football Playoff tickets.
What is the College Football Playoff schedule?
The College Football Playoff schedule will be as follows for the 2025-2026 season:
First round (Dec. 19-20) |
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Friday, Dec. 19: 8 p.m. ET |
Saturday, Dec. 20: 12 p.m. ET |
Saturday, Dec. 20: 3:30 p.m. ET |
Saturday, Dec. 20: 7:30 p.m. ET |
Quarterfinals (Dec. 31-Jan. 1) |
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Cotton Bowl: Wednesday, Dec. 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET |
Orange Bowl: Thursday, Jan. 1 at 12 p.m. ET |
Rose Bowl: Thursday, Jan. 1 at 4 p.m. ET |
Sugar Bowl: Thursday, Jan. 1 at 8 p.m. ET |
Semifinals (Jan. 8-9) |
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Fiesta Bowl: Thursday, Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET |
Peach Bowl: Friday, Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET |
College Football Playoff National Championship (Jan. 19) |
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CFP National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium: Monday, Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m. |
How can I buy College Football Playoff tickets?
You can buy College Football Playoff tickets right here on SeatGeek. Here's how to do it:
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When you’re happy with your College Football Playoff tickets, select the amount you want to purchase and select ‘Go to checkout.’
You will start by inputting an email address where you would like to receive your tickets and then complete the billing process. Once the purchase is complete, you will receive the tickets in your inbox.
For additional information on how to buy College Football Playoff tickets with SeatGeek, check out our Help Center, where you’ll find detailed information to guide you through the process.
What is the College Football Playoff format?
For the first time in a decade, the College Football Playoff (CFP) expanded from four to 12 teams starting in 2024. Here’s how the new format works:
Teams that qualify: The five highest-ranked conference champions and the next seven highest-ranked teams earn a spot in the 12-team bracket. There is no limit on how many teams can come from a single conference.
Seeding: The four highest-ranked conference champions receive the top four seeds and a first-round bye. Seeds 5–12 play in the first round, hosted either on campus or at designated sites by the higher-ranked team (so the No. 5 seed would host the No. 12 seed). Matchups are 5 vs. 12, 6 vs. 11, 7 vs. 10, and 8 vs. 9.
Advancing through the bracket: First-round winners move to the quarterfinals and semifinals, held at the New Year’s Six bowls (Rose, Orange, Sugar, Cotton, Fiesta, Peach). The top seed receives preferential bowl placement. Winners advance to the CFP National Championship at a neutral site.
Games required to win the title: Teams without a first-round bye must win four consecutive games to become national champions. Teams with a first-round bye must win three consecutive games to win the national title.
Rematches and conference matchups: There are no restrictions on rematches or teams from the same conference facing each other.
When did the College Football Playoff start?
The College Football Playoff (CFP) began with the 2014-2015 season, replacing the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) as the method for determining the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) national champion. The first CFP games were held on January 1, 2015, with the championship game following on January 12, 2015.
How are teams selected for the College Football Playoff?
A 13-member committee ranks the top 25 teams, assigns seeds and places teams in bowls using a subjective process that considers championships won, strength of schedule, head-to-head results and other relevant factors. Voting is by secret ballot, and committee members are recused from votes involving their own schools.
What are the criteria for the College Football Playoff rankings?
The selection committee uses several key criteria to determine rankings, including:
Win-Loss Record: Overall performance during the season.
Strength of Schedule: Quality of the opponents played.
Conference Championships: Winning a conference title is a significant factor, especially when teams are closely ranked.
Head-to-Head Results: Outcomes of games played between ranked teams.
Performance Against Common Opponents: Comparison of results against shared opponents.
The committee also considers "game control," injuries and other subjective elements to rank teams.
Who has won the College Football Playoff?
The following teams have won the CFP since its inception:
2014-2015: Ohio State Buckeyes
2015-2016: Alabama Crimson Tide
2016-2017: Clemson Tigers
2017-2018: Alabama Crimson Tide
2018-2019: Clemson Tigers
2019-2020: LSU Tigers
2020-2021: Alabama Crimson Tide
2021-2022: Georgia Bulldogs
2022-2023: Georgia Bulldogs
2023-2024: Michigan Wolverines
2024-2025: Ohio State Buckeyes
Alabama has dominated the CFP era, with Georgia and Ohio State emerging as recent powerhouses.
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