2026 CFP National Championship: Date, Time, Location & Tickets
The 2026 CFP National Championship Game goes down on Monday, January 19, 2026 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
This is the season’s final showdown where two teams battle for the national title. The semifinals on January 8-9 decide which teams make it to the championship.
Where will the 2026 National Championship be played?
The 2026 National Championship Game happens at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The stadium packs in over 65,000 fans and has a modern roof canopy that keeps most seats shaded.
Hard Rock Stadium hosted the 2021 CFP Championship when Alabama crushed Ohio State 52-24. Miami Gardens becomes just the second city to host the championship game twice after Atlanta.
Stadium Location:
• Address: 347 Don Shula Drive, Miami Gardens, FL
• 15 miles north of downtown Miami
• 20 miles south of Fort Lauderdale
• Easy access via major highways
What Time is the 2026 CFP National Championship Game?
The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship kicks off at 7:30 PM ET on Monday, January 19, 2026.
US Time Zones:
• Eastern Time (ET): 7:30 PM
• Central Time (CT): 6:30 PM
• Mountain Time (MST): 5:30 PM
• Pacific Time (PT): 4:30 PM
• Alaska Time (AKST): 3:30 PM
• Hawaii Time (HST): 2:30 PM
International Times:
• Canada: 7:30 PM ET
• UK: 12:30 AM GMT (Tuesday, Jan. 20)
• Australia: 11:30 AM AEDT (Tuesday, Jan. 20)
• Germany: 1:30 AM CET (Tuesday, Jan. 20)
• Mexico: 6:30 PM CST
What Channel is the 2026 National Championship Game On?
The 2026 National Championship game airs live on ESPN with a 7:30 PM ET kickoff.
ESPN MegaCast Options:
• Main broadcast on ESPN
• Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN2
• Command Center with multiple angles on ESPNU
• Skycast view on ESPNews
• Spanish broadcast on ESPN Deportes
Watch Outside the US:
• UK: DAZN (totally free with account signup)
• Australia: Kayo Sports
• Canada: TSN
You can use a VPN to watch from other regions. Check out our complete National Championship Game streaming guide for all viewing options.
Who will Play in the 2026 CFP National Championship?
The championship game pits the winners of two semifinals against each other:
Semifinals Schedule:
• Fiesta Bowl (Jan 8): No. 6 Ole Miss vs No. 10 Miami
• Peach Bowl (Jan 9): No. 1 Indiana vs No. 5 Oregon
The Fiesta Bowl winner plays the Peach Bowl winner in Miami on January 19 for the title.
This championship crowns a first-time CFP winner. None of these four teams have won a national title since the playoff started in 2014.
Also Check: 2026 CFP Championship Game Performers
Where to Buy 2026 CFP National Championship Tickets
Tickets are on sale now through several sources. Prices shift based on seat location and how close game day gets.
Buy Direct:
• College Football Playoff website
• Ticketmaster
• Hard Rock Stadium box office
Resale Markets:
StubHub is one of the best ticket resale spots for big games. They back every purchase with FanProtect Guarantee so you get legit tickets or your cash back. StubHub shows live pricing and lets you see the view from each seat. Their app makes buying tickets a breeze.
Other Options:
• Vivid Seats
• SeatGeek
• Ticket Liquidator
• GameTime
Price Breakdown:
• Lower level: $300-500
• Upper level: $200+
• Club seats: $500-1000+
Prices jump as game day gets closer. Early birds usually score better deals.
Best Seats at Hard Rock Stadium for the Championship Game
Hard Rock Stadium offers different seating experiences for whatever you’re willing to spend.
Lower Level (100 sections): These seats put you right on top of the action. Sections 119-144 on the home sideline give you the money views between the 30-yard lines. You’ll drop serious cash but the experience is unreal.
Club Level (200 sections): Club seats hook you up with AC lounges and premium food and drinks. You get killer sightlines with way more comfort than regular seats.
Upper Level (300 sections): Upper deck seats run cheaper but you still catch great views of the whole field. The roof canopy keeps you shaded. Corner sections give you the best value for your dollar.
Sideline vs End Zone: Sideline seats in sections 112-153 give you that classic TV angle. End zone seats in sections 101-111 and 154-160 cost less and you watch plays develop downfield.
The stadium’s video boards are massive so you won’t miss any replays no matter where you end up sitting.
Getting to Hard Rock Stadium
Hard Rock Stadium sits about 15 miles north of downtown Miami and 20 miles south of Fort Lauderdale.
Drive yourself
Take I-95 to the NW 199th Street exit. The stadium packs in parking for nearly 27,000 cars spread across color-coded lots. Parking passes run $40-60 and you buy them separate from game tickets.
Take the train
Brightline runs service from Miami, Fort Lauderdale and other South Florida spots to Aventura Station. Shuttle buses haul fans from the station to Hard Rock Stadium on game day.
Grab a ride
Uber and Lyft have drop-off zones near the stadium. Prices spike hard on game day. Smart fans split rides to save some cash.
Show up at least 2-3 hours before kickoff. Championship games pack the place and traffic backs up for miles around the stadium.
Some fans park at Westgate Entertainment District and hoof it about 10-15 minutes to the stadium. This move saves you money and you can grab food or drinks before heading to your seats.
What to Pack for the Championship Game
Hard Rock Stadium runs tight rules on what you can bring inside.
Bring these
Clear plastic bags no bigger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″. Small clutch purses that measure 4.5″ x 6.5″ or less. Empty clear plastic bottles up to 1 liter that you can refill inside. Blankets and jackets for staying comfortable.
Leave these home
Backpacks and big bags of any kind. Outside food and drinks except for those empty bottles. Weapons. Professional cameras with the lenses that pop off.
The whole stadium went cashless. You need a credit card or phone to buy anything. Cash doesn’t work anywhere inside.
Dress smart even though you’re in Miami during January. Temps hit the mid-70s but it cools down after dark. The AC cranks hard in covered spots. Layer up and toss a light jacket in your bag just to be safe.
Who Won the 2025 National Championship?
Ohio State won the 2025 CFP National Championship Game. The Buckeyes beat Notre Dame 34-23 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Ohio State made history as the first team to win the title after playing in the first round of the expanded 12-team playoff. They won four straight games to grab the crown.
