The 2025-26 college football bowl season marks the second year of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff and another year of adjustment after sweeping conference realignment. Traditional bowl tie-ins remain in place, but flexibility and compelling matchups are now the priority.
Expect fewer predictable matchups and more creative pairings as bowl executives, conferences, and networks aim to generate maximum appeal. Geography, rankings, and program prestige will again play major roles in how this postseason unfolds.
As we continue into this new era, one thing is clear: this will be the most dynamic, meaningful bowl season yet for college football fans.
*Note: Bowl ties and affiliations are fluid and may change depending on CFP selections and conference availability.*
Keep track of North Carolina teams using our NCCFB Bowl Tracker:
2025-26 College Football Playoff Format
- The 5 highest-ranked conference champions receive automatic bids
- The 4 highest-ranked of those 5 get a first-round bye
- Remaining 8 teams play in first-round games on campus sites
- First Round: Dec. 19 (1 game), Dec. 20 (3 games)
- Quarterfinals: Dec. 31–Jan. 1 at Cotton, Orange, Rose, and Sugar Bowls
- Semifinals: Jan. 8 (Fiesta Bowl) and Jan. 9 (Peach Bowl)
- Championship: Jan. 19 in Miami Gardens, FL
- If available:
- Big Ten champ → Rose Bowl
- SEC or Big 12 champ → Sugar Bowl
- ACC champ → Orange Bowl
2025-26 Bowl Tie-Ins and Conference Affiliations
*Note: Bowl tie-ins remain fluid due to the 12-team College Football Playoff and conference realignment. ESPN and bowl partners will prioritize competitive matchups and avoid repeat appearances where possible.*
Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
- ACC Champion is likely in the CFP. Orange Bowl if top 4 seed; otherwise available to another ACC team.
- Primary Tie-Ins: Duke’s Mayo (vs SEC), Fenway (vs American), Holiday (vs former Pac-12), Military (vs American), Pinstripe (vs Big Ten), Pop-Tarts (vs Big 12), ReliaQuest (vs SEC), TaxSlayer Gator (vs SEC), Sun Bowl (vs former Pac-12)
- Alternate Affiliations: Birmingham, Gasparilla, First Responder
- Notre Dame is eligible for ACC bowls, but not considered ACC in the CFP.
American Conference
- Top-ranked G5 conference champion could reach the CFP.
- Primary Tie-Ins: Fenway (vs ACC), Independence (vs Big 12 or former Pac-12), Military (vs ACC)
- Rotating Tie-Ins: Armed Forces or Hawai’i
- Other Potential Bowls: Birmingham, Boca Raton, Cure, Frisco, Gasparilla, Myrtle Beach, New Mexico, First Responder
Big Ten Conference
- Big Ten Champion expected in CFP, often in Rose Bowl.
- Primary Tie-Ins: Rose (vs CFP), Citrus (vs SEC), Guaranteed Rate (vs Big 12), GameAbove Sports (vs MAC), Las Vegas (vs former Pac-12), Music City (vs SEC), Pinstripe (vs ACC), ReliaQuest (vs SEC)
- Former Pac-12 teams (USC, UCLA, Oregon, Washington) remain eligible for legacy Pac-12 bowls one more season.
Big 12 Conference
- Champion likely in CFP. Sugar Bowl if top 4 conference champ.
- Primary Tie-Ins: Alamo (vs Pac-12), Pop-Tarts (vs ACC), Texas (vs SEC), Liberty (vs SEC), Guaranteed Rate (vs Big Ten), Independence (vs American)
- Alternate Affiliations: Armed Forces, First Responder
- Former Pac-12 members (Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Utah) eligible for former Pac-12 bowl ties.
Southeastern Conference (SEC)
- Champion expected in CFP. Sugar Bowl for top 4 seed.
- Primary Tie-Ins: Citrus (vs Big Ten), Liberty (vs Big 12), Duke’s Mayo (vs ACC), ReliaQuest (vs Big Ten or ACC), TaxSlayer Gator (vs ACC), Texas (vs Big 12), Music City (vs Big Ten)
- Alternate Affiliations: Birmingham, Gasparilla, First Responder
- SEC alternates between Duke’s Mayo and Las Vegas Bowl (2025 is expected to be Duke’s Mayo year).
Sun Belt Conference
- Top-ranked SBC champ could reach CFP.
- Primary Tie-Ins: New Orleans (vs CUSA), 68 Ventures (vs MAC)
- Other Possible Bowls: Boca Raton, Camellia, Cure, Frisco, Myrtle Beach, Famous Idaho Potato, New Mexico
Conference USA (CUSA)
- Top-ranked CUSA champ could reach CFP. Few guaranteed slots.
- Primary Tie-Ins: Bahamas (vs MAC), Frisco, Hawai’i, New Orleans (vs Sun Belt)
- Other Bowl Options: 68 Ventures, Boca Raton, Camellia, Cure, Gasparilla, Armed Forces, Myrtle Beach, New Mexico, Independence, First Responder
Mid-American Conference (MAC)
- Top-ranked MAC champ could reach CFP.
- Primary Tie-Ins: Bahamas (vs CUSA), Arizona Bowl (vs MWC), Potato Bowl (vs MWC), GameAbove Sports (vs Big Ten)
- Other Options: Boca Raton, Cure, Frisco, Camellia, Myrtle Beach, New Mexico
Mountain West Conference (MWC)
- Top-ranked MWC champ could reach CFP.
- Primary Tie-Ins: Arizona Bowl (vs MAC), Potato Bowl (vs MAC), Hawai’i Bowl (vs CUSA), LA Bowl (vs former Pac-12), New Mexico Bowl (vs CUSA)
- Other Options: Boca Raton, Cure, Frisco, First Responder, Guaranteed Rate
Pac-12 (Legacy Ties for 2025-26)
- Remaining former Pac-12 teams still eligible for legacy bowls.
- Legacy Bowl Access: Holiday (vs ACC), LA (vs MWC), Las Vegas (vs Big Ten), Independence (vs Big 12), Sun Bowl (vs ACC), Alamo (vs Big 12)
- Wazzu and Oregon State still working with MWC and eligible for these bowls.
Independents
- Notre Dame is eligible for ACC-affiliated bowls if not in CFP.
- UConn has no direct affiliations but may be selected as an at-large.
2025–26 College Football Bowl Schedule
Cricket Celebration Bowl
🗓️ Dec 13 (Sat)
⏰ 12:00 PM ET
📍 Atlanta, GA (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
📺 ABC
🏈 Matchup: South Carolina State 40,
Prairie View A&M 38
Bucked Up LA Bowl
🗓️ Dec 13 (Sat)
⏰ 8:00 PM ET
📍 Inglewood, CA (SoFi Stadium)
📺 ABC
🏈 Matchup: Washington 38, Boise State 10
IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl
🗓️ Dec 16 (Tue)
⏰ 9:00 PM ET
📍 Montgomery, AL (Cramton Bowl)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: Jacksonville State 17, Troy 13
StaffDNA Cure Bowl
🗓️ Dec 17 (Wed)
⏰ 5:00 PM ET
📍 Orlando, FL (Camping World Stadium)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: Old Dominion 24, South Florida 10
68 Ventures Bowl
🗓️ Dec 17 (Wed)
⏰ 8:30 PM ET
📍 Mobile, AL (Hancock Whitney Stadium)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: Delaware 20, Louisiana 13
XBox Bowl
🗓️ Dec 18 (Thu)
⏰ 12:00 PM ET
📍 Frisco, TX (Ford Center at The Star)
📺 ESPN 2
🏈 Matchup: Arkansas State 34, Missouri State 28
Myrtle Beach Bowl Presented by Engine
🗓️ Dec 19 (Fri)
⏰ 12:00 AM ET
📍 Conway, SC (Brooks Stadium)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: Western Michigan 42, Kennesaw State 6
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl
🗓️ Dec 19 (Fri)
⏰ 2:30 PM ET
📍 Tampa, FL (Raymond James Stadium)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup:NC State 31, Memphis 7
College Football Playoff (First Round)
🗓️ Dec 19 (Fri)
⏰ 8:00 PM ET
📍 Norman, OK (Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: #9 Alabama 34, #8 Oklahoma 24
College Football Playoff (First Round)
🗓️ Dec 20 (Sat)
⏰ 12:00 PM ET
📍 College Station, TX (Kyle Field)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: #10 Miami 10, #7 Texas A&M 3
College Football Playoff (First Round)
🗓️ Dec 20 (Sat)
⏰ 3:30 PM ET
📍 Oxford, MS (Vaught-Hemingway Stadium)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: #6 Ole Miss 41, #11 Tulane 10
College Football Playoff (First Round)
🗓️ Dec 20 (Sat)
⏰ 7:30 PM ET
📍 Eugene, OR (Autzen Stadium)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: #5 Oregon 51, #12 James Madison 34
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
🗓️ Dec 22 (Mon)
⏰ 2:00 PM ET
📍 Boise, ID (Albertsons Stadium)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: Washington State 34, Utah State 21
Bush's Boca Raton Bowl
🗓️ Dec 23 (Tue)
⏰ 2:00 PM ET
📍 Boca Raton, FL (Flagler Credit Union Stadium)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: Louisville 27, Toledo 22
New Orleans Bowl
🗓️ Dec 23 (Tue)
⏰ 5:30 PM ET
📍 New Orleans, LA (Caesars Superdome)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: Western Kentucky 27, Southern Miss 16
Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl
🗓️ Dec 23 (Tue)
⏰ 9:00 PM ET
📍 Frisco, TX (Ford Center at The Star)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: Ohio 17, UNLV 10
Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl
🗓️ Dec 24 (Wed)
⏰ 8:00 PM ET
📍 Honolulu, HI (Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: Hawaii 35, California 31
GameAbove Sports Bowl
🗓️ Dec 26 (Fri)
⏰ 1:00 PM ET
📍 Detroit, MI (Ford Field)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: Northwestern 34, Central Michigan 7
Rate Bowl
🗓️ Dec 26 (Fri)
⏰ 4:30 PM ET
📍 Phoenix, AZ (Chase Field)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: Minnesota 20, New Mexico 17 (OT)
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
🗓️ Dec 26 (Fri)
⏰ 8:00 PM ET
📍 Dallas, TX (Gerald J. Ford Stadium)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: UTSA 57, FIU 20
Go Bowling Military Bowl
🗓️ Dec 27 (Sat)
⏰ 11:00 AM ET
📍 Annapolis, MD (Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: East Carolina 23, Pittsburgh 17
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl
🗓️ Dec 27 (Sat)
⏰ 12:00 PM ET
📍 Bronx, NY (Yankee Stadium)
📺 ABC
🏈 Matchup: Penn State 22, Clemson 10
Wasabi Fenway Bowl
🗓️ Dec 27 (Sat)
⏰ 2:15 PM ET
📍 Boston, MA (Fenway Park)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: Army 41, UConn 16
Pop-Tarts Bowl
🗓️ Dec 27 (Sat)
⏰ 3:30 PM ET
📍 Orlando, FL (Camping World Stadium)
📺 ABC
🏈 Matchup: BYU 25, Georgia Tech 21
Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop
🗓️ Dec 27 (Sat)
⏰ 4:30 PM ET
📍 Tucson, AZ (Arizona Stadium)
📺 CW Network
🏈 Matchup: Fresno State 18, Miami (OH) 3
Isleta New Mexico Bowl
🗓️ Dec 27 (Sat)
⏰ 5:45 PM ET
📍 Albuquerque, NM (Branch Field at University Stadium)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: North Texas 49, San Diego State 47
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
🗓️ Dec 27 (Sat)
⏰ 7:30 PM ET
📍 Jacksonville, FL (EverBank Stadium)
📺 ABC
🏈 Matchup: Virginia 13, Missouri 7
Kinder's Texas Bowl
🗓️ Dec 27 (Sat)
⏰ 9:15 PM ET
📍 Houston, TX (NRG Stadium)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: Houston 38, LSU 35
JLAB Birmingham Bowl
🗓️ Dec 29 (Mon)
⏰ 2:00 PM ET
📍 Birmingham, AL (Protective Stadium)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: Georgia Southern 29, App State 10
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
🗓️ Dec 30 (Tue)
⏰ 2:00 PM ET
📍 Shreveport, LA (Independence Stadium)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: Louisiana Tech 23, Coastal Carolina 14
Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl
🗓️ Dec 30 (Tue)
⏰ 5:30 PM ET
📍 Nashville, TN (Nissan Stadium)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: Illinois 30, Tennessee 28
Valero Alamo Bowl
🗓️ Dec 30 (Tue)
⏰ 9:00 PM ET
📍 San Antonio, TX (Alamodome)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: TCU 30, USC 27 (OT)
ReliaQuest Bowl
🗓️ Dec 31 (Wed)
⏰ 12:00 PM ET
📍 Tampa, FL (Raymond James Stadium)
📺 TBA
🏈 Matchup: Iowa 34, Vanderbilt 27
Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl
🗓️ Dec 31 (Wed)
⏰ 2:00 PM ET
📍 El Paso, TX (Sun Bowl Stadium)
📺 CBS
🏈 Matchup: Duke 42, Arizona State 39
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl
🗓️ Dec 31 (Wed)
⏰ 3:00 PM ET
📍 Orlando, FL (Camping World Stadium)
📺 ABC
🏈 Matchup: Texas 41, Michigan 27
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl
🗓️ Dec 31 (Wed)
⏰ 3:30 PM ET
📍 Las Vegas, NV (Allegiant Stadium)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: Utah 44, Nebraska 22
Goodyear Cotton Bowl (CFP Quarterfinal)
🗓️ Dec 31 (Wed)
⏰ 7:30 PM ET
📍 Arlington, TX (AT&T Stadium)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: #10 Miami 24, #2 Ohio State 14
Capital One Orange Bowl (CFP Quarterfinal)
🗓️ Jan 1 (Thu)
⏰ 12:00 PM ET
📍 Miami Gardens, FL (Hard Rock Stadium)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: #5 Oregon 23, #4 Texas Tech 0
Rose Bowl Game (CFP Quarterfinal)
🗓️ Jan 1 (Thu)
⏰ 4:00 PM ET
📍 Pasadena, CA (Rose Bowl)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: #1 Indiana 38, #9 Alabama 3
Allstate Sugar Bowl (CFP Quarterfinal)
🗓️ Jan 1 (Thu)
⏰ 8:00 PM ET
📍 New Orleans, LA (Caesars Superdome)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: #6 Ole Miss 39, #3 Georgia 34
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
🗓️ Jan 2 (Fri)
⏰ 1:00 PM ET
📍 Fort Worth, TX (Amon G. Carter Stadium)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: Texas State 41, Rice 10
AutoZone Liberty Bowl
🗓️ Jan 2 (Fri)
⏰ 4:30 PM ET
📍 Memphis, TN (Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: Navy 35, Cincinnati 13
Duke’s Mayo Bowl
🗓️ Jan 2 (Fri)
⏰ 8:00 PM ET
📍 Charlotte, NC (Bank of America Stadium)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State
Trust and Will Holiday Bowl
🗓️ Jan 2 (Fri)
⏰ 8:00 PM ET
📍 San Diego, CA (Snapdragon Stadium)
📺 Fox
🏈 Matchup: Arizona vs. SMU
VRBO Fiesta Bowl (CFP Semifinal)
🗓️ Jan 8 (Thu)
⏰ 7:30 PM ET
📍 Glendale, AZ (State Farm Stadium)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: #6 Ole Miss vs. #10 Miami
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (CFP Semifinal)
🗓️ Jan 9 (Fri)
⏰ 7:30 PM ET
📍 Atlanta, GA (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: #1 Indiana vs. #5 Oregon
CFP National Championship
🗓️ Jan 19 (Mon)
⏰ 7:30 PM ET
📍 Miami Gardens, FL (Hard Rock Stadium)
📺 ESPN
🏈 Matchup: TBA
*All times Eastern and subject to change. Check back for final matchups and score updates.*
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