Shocking Bowl Game Matchups for 2025-26 Revealed: Will Your Team Survive the Epic Showdowns?

As the excitement builds for college football fans across the nation, the schedule for the 2025-26 bowl season is officially set. The action kicks off on Saturday, December 13, 2025, with a slate of games culminating in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, January 19, 2026. This annual postseason tradition promises thrilling matchups as teams vie for glory and a shot at the coveted national title.

The college football bowl schedule features a diverse array of games, each with its own unique backdrop and significance. The season begins with the Celebration Bowl at 12 p.m. ET, featuring South Carolina State going head-to-head against Prairie View A&M at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, broadcast on ABC. Later that evening, fans can tune in for the LA Bowl at 8 p.m. ET from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, also on ABC.

On Tuesday, December 16, the Salute to Veterans Bowl will take place at 9 p.m. ET in Montgomery, Alabama, airing on ESPN. The following day, December 17, sees two more exciting matchups: the Cure Bowl, featuring Old Dominion versus South Florida at 5 p.m. ET, and the 68 Ventures Bowl, with Louisiana taking on Delaware at 8:30 p.m. ET, both broadcast on ESPN.

As the calendar turns to Thursday, December 18, the Xbox Bowl will kick off at 9 p.m. ET in Frisco, Texas, on ESPN2, marking another highlight of the bowl season. The following day, Friday, December 19, offers a doubleheader, featuring the Myrtle Beach Bowl at 11 a.m. ET and the Gasparilla Bowl at 2:30 p.m. ET, both on ESPN, followed by the first round of the College Football Playoff at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Saturday, December 20, will showcase several College Football Playoff First Round games with multiple broadcasts throughout the day, leading into a competitive postseason. After a series of exciting matchups, the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl at 2 p.m. ET on December 22 in Boise, Idaho, continues the festivities, followed by the Boca Raton Bowl and New Orleans Bowl on December 23, both kicking off in the afternoon.

Among the standout games is the Hawai'i Bowl on December 24, featuring a clash between California and Hawai'i at 8 p.m. ET in Honolulu, which fans eagerly anticipate. As the holiday season continues, bowl games ramp up with the GameAbove Sports Bowl on December 26 and several more, including the Military Bowl and Pinstripe Bowl on December 27.

As the calendar flips to 2026, New Year’s Day will be particularly special for college football fans, as the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals will occur across three prestigious venues, including the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, and the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. With matchups starting at noon and lasting into the night, it promises to be an unforgettable day of action.

The excitement doesn’t stop there; the College Football Playoff Semifinals will be held on January 8 and January 9, leading up to the climactic College Football Playoff National Championship Game on January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, at 7:30 p.m. ET. This championship clash is the pinnacle of college football, where teams will fight tooth and nail for the national title.

As the 2025-26 bowl season approaches, fans should keep an eye out for updates on game times and television information, ensuring they don't miss a moment of the action. This year’s schedule offers a thrilling mix of traditional rivalries, emerging teams, and the collegiate spirit that defines college football, making it a season to remember.