College Football Playoff 2024: Everything You Need to Know About the New 12-Team Format
As the 2024 college football season winds down, fans are eagerly awaiting the final College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings, which will determine the matchups for teams vying for the national title. This year's playoffs are especially significant as they mark the inaugural run of the new 12-team format, adding even more excitement to the postseason. With the results of conference championship games still to come, here's a comprehensive guide to the upcoming CFP games, the schedule, and everything else you need to know.
The New 12-Team CFP Format: What to Expect
For the first time in history, the College Football Playoff will feature 12 teams, which will change the landscape of the postseason. Unlike previous seasons, the top four teams will receive a bye in the first round, while the remaining eight teams will compete in elimination games to advance to the quarterfinals.
The first round kicks off on Friday, Dec. 20, with two games, and continues with three additional games on Saturday, Dec. 21. This will be the start of what promises to be an action-packed journey toward the national championship.
Key Dates for the 2024 College Football Playoff
The College Football Playoff games will take place over several key dates, culminating in the national championship on Monday, Jan. 20. Here's a breakdown of the schedule:
First Round: Dec. 20-21, 2024
The opening round of the playoffs will feature four games, two on Friday, Dec. 20, and two on Saturday, Dec. 21. Here's the schedule:
Friday, Dec. 20
- Game 1: 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN
Saturday, Dec. 21
- Game 2: 12:00 p.m. ET on TNT
- Game 3: 4:00 p.m. ET on TNT
- Game 4: 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN
These games will determine which teams move on to the quarterfinals. Be sure to catch them on ESPN, ABC, and TNT, or stream them via Fubo.
Quarterfinals: Dec. 31, 2024 - Jan. 1, 2025
After the first round, the winners will progress to the quarterfinals, where they will face one of the top four seeded teams. These matchups will be played during New Year's weekend across four iconic bowl games. Here’s when each quarterfinal matchup will take place:
Tuesday, Dec. 31
- Fiesta Bowl: 7:30 p.m. ET
Wednesday, Jan. 1
- Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Rose Bowl: 5:00 p.m. ET
- Sugar Bowl: 8:45 p.m. ET
Semifinals: Jan. 9-10, 2025
The quarterfinal winners will move on to the semifinals, set for Thursday, Jan. 9, and Friday, Jan. 10. These games will determine the two teams that will compete for the national championship.
Thursday, Jan. 9
- Orange Bowl: 7:30 p.m. ET
Friday, Jan. 10
- Cotton Bowl: 7:30 p.m. ET
National Championship: Jan. 20, 2025
The final showdown to determine the national champion will take place on Monday, Jan. 20, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Fans can tune in at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN to watch the conclusion of what promises to be a thrilling postseason.
The College Football Playoff Bowl Games
The College Football Playoff games rotate annually among six prestigious bowl games. The 2024 season will feature the following:
- Cotton Bowl
- Orange Bowl
- Fiesta Bowl
- Peach Bowl
- Rose Bowl
- Sugar Bowl
These bowls will host the quarterfinal and semifinal games, with the national championship being played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
How to Watch the College Football Playoff
If you're unable to attend the games in person, don't worry! All the action from the College Football Playoff will be broadcast across multiple platforms. You can watch games on ABC, ESPN, TNT, and ESPN2. Additionally, fans can stream the games on platforms such as FuboTV.
Conclusion: The Road to the National Championship
The 2024 College Football Playoff promises to be a thrilling and historic event as the new 12-team format kicks off. From the first-round games in mid-December to the national championship game in January, the action will be fast-paced, intense, and filled with drama. As the final CFP rankings are revealed in the coming days, fans across the nation will be eager to see which teams make the cut and what the matchups will look like.
Whether you're following your favorite team or simply enjoying the excitement of the postseason, the College Football Playoff is sure to deliver unforgettable moments. Make sure to mark your calendars for the first round on Dec. 20 and get ready for an epic journey to the national title!
