College Football Playoff schedule: Bowl game times, dates and how to watch the CFP

The College Football Playoff selection committee is ready to release its fifth top-25 ranking on Tuesday night.

These ranking are a crucial milestone in the playoff, as they will provide essential insight into the standings of teams vying for the national title as the season enters the final week of play before the bracket is set.

The first round of the highly anticipated 12-team College Football Playoff format kicks off in less than a month on Friday, Dec. 20 with a primetime Friday night game. It also marks the start of an intense postseason, where every game will be a must-win battle as teams strive to keep their national championship hopes alive. The first round continues with three crucial elimination games on Saturday, Dec. 21.

The teams that win their first-round games will advance to the CFP quarterfinals to take on the top four seeded teams, each of which received a bye to open the playoff. The quarterfinal matchups, scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 31, and Wednesday, Jan. 1, will take place in one of four renowned bowl games: the Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl or Sugar Bowl.

The teams that win their quarterfinal games will advance to the College Football Playoff semifinals, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 9. These matchups will decide who will compete for the national championship on Monday, Jan. 20.

Here is the information about the bowl games that make up the College Football Playoff and when the unmissable action will start.

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What bowl games are in College Football Playoff?

The College Football Playoff quarterfinals and semifinals rotate annually among six bowl games:

• Cotton Bowl

• Orange Bowl

• Fiesta Bowl

• Peach Bowl

• Rose Bowl

• Sugar Bowl

The College Football Playoff national championship game will not be among the six aforementioned bowls. It will take place this season on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

When do College Football Playoff games start?

The College Football Playoff first round begins on Friday, Dec. 20 and will air on ABC and ESPN at 8 p.m. ET. Fans can also stream the action with a Fubo subscription, which offers a free trial.

Catch CFP games with Fubo (free trial)

When is College Football Playoff first round?

All times Eastern

• Game 1: Friday, Dec. 20 at 8 p.m. on ABC/ESPN

• Game 2: Saturday, Dec. 21 at noon on TNT

• Game 3: Saturday, Dec. 21 at 4 p.m. on TNT

• Game 4: Saturday, Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. on ABC/ESPN

When are College Football Playoff quarterfinals?

All times Eastern

• Fiesta Bowl: Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN

• Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl: Wednesday, Jan. 1 at 1 p.m. on ESPN

• Rose Bowl: Wednesday, Jan. 1 at 5 p.m. on ESPN

• Sugar Bowl: Wednesday, Jan. 1 at 8:45 p.m. on ESPN

When are College Football Playoff semifinals?

All times Eastern.

• Orange Bowl: Thursday, Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN

• Cotton Bowl: Friday, Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN

When is College Football Playoff National championship?

• Monday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: CFP schedule 2024: Bowl games bracket, dates, time and TV