TNT Sports to Air First College Football Playoff Semifinal

The 2026-27 College Football Playoff schedule, announced Monday, reveals a significant shift in television coverage as TNT Sports will broadcast nearly half of the tournament's games, including a semifinal for the first time. The playoff will culminate with the national championship game on January 25, 2027, in Las Vegas.

Under a new sublicensing arrangement, ESPN has sold a portion of its broadcast rights to TNT Sports. Of the 11 total playoff games, ESPN will exclusively broadcast only two: one first-round game and one quarterfinal. TNT Sports will air two first-round games, two quarterfinal games, and one semifinal. The remaining games will be simulcast on ESPN and ABC or aired on ABC.

The playoff will begin on Friday, December 18, 2026, with a first-round game on ESPN. Three more first-round games at campus sites will follow on Saturday, December 19, airing across ABC, ESPN, and TNT. The quarterfinals are scheduled for December 30 and January 1 at major bowl sites, including the Rose Bowl, Peach Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, and Cotton Bowl. A spokesperson confirmed the Rose Bowl could be scheduled for an 8 p.m. ET kickoff on New Year's Day, which would be its latest start time in two...