Conference titles and playoff

The paths are set. The teams are not.

This page shows the official 2026-27 postseason structure. Team slots and unassigned sites remain clearly marked TBD until they are announced.

2026 CFP format

Twelve teams. Eleven games. No reseeding.

Seeds 1–4 receive first-round byes. Seeds 5–12 play on campus, and each winner stays on its original bracket path.

Selection DayDec. 6, 2026

The field and seeds are announced here.

First-round byesSeeds 1, 2, 3 and 4

They enter in the quarterfinals.

First roundSeeds 5–12

Four games across Dec. 18–19.

Bracket behaviorNo reseeding

Winners follow the fixed paths below.

Conference championships

Ten title games. Teams TBD.

Dec. 4–5, 2026
Participants TBD

ACC Championship

· Bank of America Stadium · Charlotte, NC

Official details
Participants TBD

American Athletic Championship

· Home of the regular-season champion

Official details
Participants TBD

Big 12 Championship

· AT&T Stadium · Arlington, TX

Official details
Participants TBD

Big Ten Championship

· Lucas Oil Stadium · Indianapolis, IN

Official details
Participants TBD

Conference USA Championship

· Home of the top conference finisher

Official details
Participants TBD

Mid-American Championship

· Ford Field · Detroit, MI

Official details
Participants TBD

Mountain West Championship

· Home of the top conference finisher

Official details
Participants TBD

Pac-12 Championship

· Home venue of the highest seed

Official details
Participants TBD

SEC Championship

· Mercedes-Benz Stadium · Atlanta, GA

Official details
Participants TBD

Sun Belt Championship

· Home of the qualifying division winner

Official details

Fixed 12-team path

2026-27 CFP bracket

All team slots TBD

CFP First Round

Dec. 18–19, 2026
Matchup TBD

No. 12 at No. 5

  • #12Seed No. 12Team TBD
  • #5Seed No. 5Team TBD

Site TBD

Matchup TBD

No. 11 at No. 6

  • #11Seed No. 11Team TBD
  • #6Seed No. 6Team TBD

Site TBD

Matchup TBD

No. 10 at No. 7

  • #10Seed No. 10Team TBD
  • #7Seed No. 7Team TBD

Site TBD

Matchup TBD

No. 9 at No. 8

  • #9Seed No. 9Team TBD
  • #8Seed No. 8Team TBD

Site TBD

CFP Quarterfinals

Dec. 30, 2026 & Jan. 1, 2027
Matchup TBD

No. 1 path

  • #1Seed No. 1Team TBD
  • →Winner of No. 9 at No. 8Team TBD

Site TBD

Matchup TBD

No. 4 path

  • #4Seed No. 4Team TBD
  • →Winner of No. 12 at No. 5Team TBD

Site TBD

Matchup TBD

No. 2 path

  • #2Seed No. 2Team TBD
  • →Winner of No. 10 at No. 7Team TBD

Site TBD

Matchup TBD

No. 3 path

  • #3Seed No. 3Team TBD
  • →Winner of No. 11 at No. 6Team TBD

Site TBD

CFP Semifinals

Jan. 14–15, 2027
Matchup TBD

Semifinal A

  • →Winner of No. 1 pathTeam TBD
  • →Winner of No. 4 pathTeam TBD

Site TBD

Matchup TBD

Semifinal B

  • →Winner of No. 2 pathTeam TBD
  • →Winner of No. 3 pathTeam TBD

Site TBD

CFP National Championship

Jan. 25, 2027
Matchup TBD

National Championship

  • →Winner of Semifinal ATeam TBD
  • →Winner of Semifinal BTeam TBD

Las Vegas, Nevada

Structure and dates verified Aug. 10, 2026 from the official College Football Playoff format announcement and broadcast schedule.