Overview
- For 2026–27, quarterfinals will be played Dec. 30 at the Fiesta Bowl and Jan. 1 at the Cotton, Peach and Rose bowls.
- Semifinals that season are set for Jan. 14 at the Orange Bowl and Jan. 15 at the Sugar Bowl, with the championship on Jan. 25 in Las Vegas.
- For 2027–28, quarterfinals will be held Dec. 31 at the Sugar Bowl and Jan. 1 at the Fiesta, Peach and Rose bowls, followed by semifinals on Jan. 13 at the Orange Bowl and Jan. 14 at the Cotton Bowl, with the title game on Jan. 24 in New Orleans.
- There will be roughly two weeks between quarterfinals and semifinals in both seasons, with kickoff times and TV assignments to be announced later.
- The Rose Bowl keeps its preferred Jan. 1 slot and will not host a semifinal in these cycles, and the 12-team format is locked for 2026–27 as expansion discussions continue.