How to Stream the 2026-27 College Football Playoff
The 2026-27 College Football Playoff is a 12-team, 11-game bracket that starts Friday, December 18, 2026, and ends with the national championship game on Monday, January 25, 2027, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. ESPN is in the first year of its expanded CFP deal and has sublicensed five games to TNT Sports, so you'll need ESPN, ABC and TNT to see every game. On DIRECTV, that's ESPN on channel 206, TNT on 245, truTV on 246 and your local ABC station.
2026-27 College Football Playoff schedule and channels
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | TV | On DIRECTV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri., Dec. 18 | 8 p.m. | First round (campus site) | ESPN | ESPN, ch. 206 |
| Sat., Dec. 19 | Noon | First round (campus site) | ABC and ESPN | Local ABC station; ESPN, ch. 206 |
| Sat., Dec. 19 | 3:30 p.m. | First round (campus site) | TNT, truTV and HBO Max | TNT, ch. 245; truTV, ch. 246 |
| Sat., Dec. 19 | 7:30 p.m. | First round (campus site) | TNT, truTV and HBO Max | TNT, ch. 245; truTV, ch. 246 |
| Wed., Dec. 30 | 7:30 p.m. | Quarterfinal, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl (Glendale, Ariz.) | TNT, truTV and HBO Max | TNT, ch. 245; truTV, ch. 246 |
| Fri., Jan. 1 | Noon | Quarterfinal (bowl assigned Dec. 6) | TNT and HBO Max | TNT, ch. 245 |
| Fri., Jan. 1 | 4 p.m. | Quarterfinal (bowl assigned Dec. 6) | ABC and ESPN | Local ABC station; ESPN, ch. 206 |
| Fri., Jan. 1 | 8 p.m. | Quarterfinal (bowl assigned Dec. 6) | ESPN | ESPN, ch. 206 |
| Thu., Jan. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Semifinal, Capital One Orange Bowl (Miami Gardens, Fla.) | TNT, truTV and HBO Max | TNT, ch. 245; truTV, ch. 246 |
| Fri., Jan. 15 | 7:30 p.m. | Semifinal, Allstate Sugar Bowl (New Orleans) | ABC and ESPN | Local ABC station; ESPN, ch. 206 |
| Mon., Jan. 25 | 7:30 p.m. | National championship (Las Vegas) | ABC and ESPN | Local ABC station; ESPN, ch. 206 |
The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic and Rose Bowl Game are the three January 1 quarterfinals. Which bowl lands in which time slot will be set on Selection Day, Sunday, December 6, when the 12-team field and the four campus sites for the first round are announced. The Orange Bowl semifinal on January 14 is TNT Sports' first CFP semifinal, and the Sugar Bowl semifinal on January 15 is ESPN's first semifinal on ABC.
Rankings shows and Selection Day
The selection committee's first top 25 of 2026 comes out Tuesday, November 3, during a 7 p.m. ET show on ESPN. Weekly rankings shows follow on Tuesdays through December 1, and Selection Day coverage runs from noon to 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 6, on ESPN. See our CFP rankings show guide for each date and time.
How to stream every CFP game
| Network | Streaming option | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN and ABC | DIRECTV app; ESPN app | Sign in with your DIRECTV account. Eligible DIRECTV packages with ESPN include ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost |
| TNT and truTV | DIRECTV app; HBO Max | TNT and truTV stream in the DIRECTV app with your package. HBO Max is a separate subscription |
DIRECTV streaming customers watch these channels over the internet with a Gemini device or the DIRECTV app, with no dish. Satellite customers can also stream on the go in the DIRECTV app. To compare packages, see DIRECTV packages.
Which DIRECTV package has every playoff game?
ESPN and TNT are included starting with DIRECTV's ENTERTAINMENT package, and ABC is one of your local channels where DIRECTV offers locals at your address. Every CFP game airs on ESPN, ABC or TNT, so you don't need a sports add-on. truTV simulcasts TNT's games on most dates.
Frequently asked questions
When does the 2026-27 College Football Playoff start?
The first round starts Friday, December 18, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, followed by three first-round games on Saturday, December 19.
When and where is the 2027 CFP National Championship?
Monday, January 25, 2027, at 7:30 p.m. ET at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on ABC and ESPN.
Which CFP games are on TNT?
Five games are on TNT Sports: two first-round games on December 19, the Fiesta Bowl quarterfinal on December 30, the noon quarterfinal on January 1 and the Orange Bowl semifinal on January 14.
What channel is the College Football Playoff on DIRECTV?
ESPN is channel 206, TNT is 245, truTV is 246, and ABC games air on your local ABC station.
When is CFP Selection Day?
Sunday, December 6, 2026, with coverage from noon to 3 p.m. ET on ESPN.
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Details reviewed October 30, 2026. Kickoff times, bowl assignments, broadcast networks and package contents can change. DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. AmericanTV.com is an independent dealer and resource site.