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

The College Football Playoff Selection Committee is scheduled to release its third top-25 ranking on Tuesday night. This eagerly awaited ranking will provide important insights into the standings of the teams competing for the national title as the season approaches its final weeks.

The first round of the new 12-team College Football Playoff format is set to ignite the field on Friday, Dec. 20 with a primetime game. This marks the beginning of an intense postseason, where every game is a battle, and every team is fighting fiercely to keep its national title hopes alive. The following three crucial do-or-die games on Saturday, Dec. 21 will be a testament to the sheer competitiveness of the sport.

The CFP semifinals, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 9, are not just games, but a culmination of the season's hard work and dedication. These games promise to be an exciting and must-watch event, as they will determine which teams advance to compete for the national championship on Monday, Jan. 20.

Here is the information about the bowl games that will make up the College Football Playoff and when the can't-miss action will start.

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What bowl games are in the College Football Playoff

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

• Cotton Bowl

• Orange Bowl

• Fiesta Bowl

• Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

• Rose Bowl

• Sugar Bowl

The College Football Playoff National Championship will be Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

When do College Football Playoff games start

The College Football Playoff first round begins on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024 and will air on ABC and ESPN at 8 p.m. ET. Fans can also stream with a Fubo subscription.

Catch CFP bowl games with a Fubo subscription

When is CFP first round?

All times Eastern.

First Round:

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

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

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

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

Quarterfinals:

• 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 is CFP semifinals?

• 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 CFP 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