The road to the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship is well underway, with the action heating up in a revamped tournament format. This year, the NCAA has expanded the playoff system to include 12 teams, shifting the traditional schedule and moving the National Championship game back by approximately 10 days, from early January to January 20, 2025.
Overview of the 2024-25 College Football Playoff
The College Football Playoff (CFP) for the 2024-2025 season features 12 teams, which were selected by the CFP committee. The final rankings were released on Sunday, December 8, and set the stage for an exciting postseason.
The format now includes:
- Five highest-ranked conference champions automatically earning a spot.
- Seven other teams selected based on rankings.
- The top four conference champions received a bye, advancing directly to the quarterfinals.
- The remaining eight teams faced off in one-game playoffs at the stadium of the higher-ranked team.
Teams in the 2024-25 College Football Playoff
The following teams are competing for the national championship:
- Oregon Ducks
- Georgia Bulldogs
- Boise State Broncos
- Arizona State Sun Devils
- Texas Longhorns
- Penn State Nittany Lions
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- Tennessee Volunteers
- Indiana Hoosiers
- SMU Mustangs
- Clemson Tigers
First-Round Results
The first round of the College Football Playoff delivered exciting matchups:
- Indiana 17 – 27 Notre Dame
- SMU 10 – 38 Penn State
- Clemson 24 – 38 Texas
- Tennessee 17 – 42 Ohio State
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Quarterfinals
The winners of the first-round matchups advanced to the quarterfinals, where the competition intensified:
- Fiesta Bowl: Penn State 31 – 14 Boise State
- Peach Bowl: Texas 39 – 31 Arizona State
- Rose Bowl: Ohio State 41 – 21 Oregon
- Sugar Bowl: Notre Dame 23 – 10 Georgia
Semifinals
The semifinals featured two thrilling matchups:
- Orange Bowl: Penn State 24 – 27 Notre Dame
- Cotton Bowl: Ohio State vs. Texas – Scheduled for January 10 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Who Will Compete in the 2025 CFP National Championship?
The 2025 CFP National Championship will feature Notre Dame, who will face the winner of the Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Texas Longhorns matchup in the finals.
Key Details of the 2025 CFP National Championship
- Date and Time: The National Championship game is scheduled for January 20, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT.
- Location: The game will be held at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Stadium Capacity: The stadium can seat up to 71,000 fans, with the potential to expand to 75,000 for special events.
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How to Watch the 2025 CFP National Championship
Fans can catch the game live on ESPN. Streaming will also be available via ESPN.com and ESPN+.
Halftime Show and Entertainment
Unlike the Super Bowl, the College Football Playoff National Championship does not feature a major halftime show with artists, but the event will still offer entertaining moments for fans.
Ticket Information
Tickets for the 2025 CFP National Championship are in high demand, with prices starting at $1,158 for the upper bowl and reaching up to $1,560 for lower bowl seating.
CFP National Championship Overtime Rules
In the event of a tie, the CFP National Championship follows a unique overtime system. Each team gets one possession per overtime period until one team outperforms the other, unlike the NFL’s sudden-death rules.
CFP National Championship Gatorade Tradition
Each year, a team’s coach is doused in Gatorade after winning the championship, with the color of the Gatorade becoming a fun tradition. For example, in the last championship, Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh was drenched in blue Gatorade.
The Trophy and MVP Awards
The CFP National Championship Trophy stands 26.5 inches tall and weighs 35 pounds. Made from 24-carat gold, bronze, and stainless steel, it symbolizes the four strands of the football, representing the playoff teams.
Two MVP awards are presented: one for the best offensive player and one for the best defensive player of the game.
CFP National Championship Rings and Prize Money
The CFP National Championship rings are awarded to the players and coaches, with the official design having been standardized in 2014. Teams advancing to the national championship game will earn approximately $23 million.
History of the College Football Playoff National Championship
From its origins to the present day, the College Football Playoff National Championship has become one of the most prestigious titles in college sports, with teams like Alabama, Clemson, and Ohio State leaving their mark on the competition. The 2025 championship promises to add another memorable chapter to this rich history.
As the teams continue their pursuit of glory, fans are eagerly anticipating the thrilling conclusion to the 2024-2025 College Football Playoff.
