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

The College Football Playoff Selection Committee is on the verge of releasing its second of the six top-25 rankings Tuesday night. This highly anticipated second rankings will provide crucial insights into the standings of the teams vying for the national title, sparking excitement among fans.

The first round of the new 12-team College Football Playoff kicks off on Friday, Dec. 20, with a prime-time game, signaling the start of an intense playoff postseason. This is followed by three significant do-or-die games on Saturday, Dec. 21, when the competition will be at its peak with teams battling to keep their national title hopes alive. The playoff quarterfinals action continues Tuesday, Dec. 31, at the Fiesta Bowl and with three more bowl games on Wednesday, Jan. 1.

The CFP semifinals, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 9, are set to be a must-watch momentous occasion. Featuring two thrilling prime-time games, one at the Orange Bowl and one at the Cotton Bowl, these games will determine the finalists that will compete for the national championship on Monday, Jan. 20, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Here is the information about the bowl games that will compose the College Football Playoff and when the action will begin.

More: Oregon leads College Football Playoff rankings with SEC dominating top 25

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.

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 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