2025-26 College Football Bowl Games: Complete Schedule, Times, and Betting Markets

The 2025-26 college football bowl season runs from December 13, 2025, to January 19, 2026, featuring 47 games over five weeks, including the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP). Key highlights:

• Non-Playoff Bowls (Dec 13 - Jan 2): Includes fan-favorites like the Pop-Tarts Bowl (BYU vs. Georgia Tech) and Citrus Bowl (Texas vs. Michigan).

• CFP First Round (Dec 19-20): Hosted at campus sites, e.g., Oklahoma vs. Alabama on Dec 19.

• CFP Quarterfinals & Semifinals: Integrated into New Year’s Six bowls (Dec 31-Jan 1) and semifinals (Jan 8-9).

• National Championship: Held on Jan 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

For bettors, bowl games bring unique opportunities due to roster changes, extended preparation times, and team motivations. Platforms like BettorEdge offer tools for custom odds, live betting, and peer-to-peer wagering to maximize value throughout the season. Stay updated on injuries, matchups, and late-breaking news to refine your strategy.

Full 2025-26 Bowl Game Schedule

The 2025-26 bowl season is packed with 47 games spread over five weeks, giving football fans and bettors plenty to enjoy from mid-December through mid-January. Below is a detailed schedule to help you keep track of key matchups and plan your viewing or betting strategy.

Non-Playoff Bowls: December 13-31

The bowl season kicks off on Saturday, December 13, 2025, starting with the Celebration Bowl at 12:00 PM ET on ABC. This game, held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, features South Carolina State against Prairie View A&M. Later that evening, the LA Bowl airs at 8:00 PM ET on ABC, with Boise State taking on Washington at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

The action continues throughout the week. On Tuesday, December 16, the Salute to Veterans Bowl showcases Troy vs. Jacksonville State at 9:00 PM ET on ESPN from Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. Wednesday, December 17 features two games: the Cure Bowl at 5:00 PM ET (Old Dominion vs. South Florida) and the 68 Ventures Bowl at 8:30 PM ET (Louisiana vs. Delaware), both airing on ESPN.

Thursday, December 18 brings the Xbox Bowl at 9:00 PM ET on ESPN2, where Arkansas State faces Missouri State at Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. On Friday, December 19, the Myrtle Beach Bowl starts early at 11:00 AM ET on ESPN (Kennesaw State vs. Western Michigan), followed by the Gasparilla Bowl at 2:30 PM ET on ESPN (Memphis vs. NC State).

The schedule heats up closer to Christmas. Monday, December 22 features the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl at 2:00 PM ET on ESPN (Washington State vs. Utah State) in Boise, Idaho. On Tuesday, December 23, three games are lined up: the Boca Raton Bowl at 2:00 PM ET (Louisville vs. Toledo), the New Orleans Bowl at 5:30 PM ET (Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss), and the Frisco Bowl at 9:00 PM ET (UNLV vs. Ohio), all on ESPN.

Christmas Eve treats fans to the Hawai'i Bowl at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN, with Cal taking on Hawai'i in Honolulu. The day after Christmas, Friday, December 26, brings three games: the GameAbove Sports Bowl at 1:00 PM ET (Central Michigan vs. Northwestern), the Rate Bowl at 4:30 PM ET (New Mexico vs. Minnesota), and the First Responder Bowl at 8:00 PM ET (FIU vs. UTSA), all on ESPN.

Saturday, December 27 is the busiest day, packed with eight games. The Military Bowl starts at 11:00 AM ET on ESPN (Pitt vs. East Carolina), followed by the Pinstripe Bowl at 12:00 PM ET on ABC (Clemson vs. Penn State) at Yankee Stadium. The Fenway Bowl airs at 2:15 PM ET on ESPN (UConn vs. Army) from Fenway Park.

The afternoon continues with the Pop-Tarts Bowl at 3:30 PM ET on ABC (No. 12 BYU vs. No. 22 Georgia Tech) in Orlando, Florida, while the Arizona Bowl airs at 4:30 PM ET on The CW Network (Miami (OH) vs. Fresno State). The New Mexico Bowl follows at 5:45 PM ET on ESPN (UNT vs. San Diego State). Prime-time action includes the Gator Bowl at 7:30 PM ET on ABC (Missouri vs. No. 19 Virginia) and the Texas Bowl at 9:15 PM ET on ESPN (LSU vs. Houston).

The final days of December feature more exciting matchups. Monday, December 29 brings the Birmingham Bowl at 2:00 PM ET on ESPN (Georgia Southern vs. App State). On Tuesday, December 30, the Independence Bowl kicks off at 2:00 PM ET (Coastal Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech), followed by the Music City Bowl at 5:30 PM ET (Tennessee vs. Illinois) and the Alamo Bowl at 9:00 PM ET (No. 16 Southern Cal vs. TCU), all on ESPN.

New Year's Eve includes four non-playoff games before the CFP quarterfinals begin. The ReliaQuest Bowl starts at 12:00 PM ET on ESPN (No. 23 Iowa vs. No. 14 Vanderbilt), followed by the Sun Bowl at 2:00 PM ET on CBS (Arizona State vs. Duke). The Citrus Bowl airs at 3:00 PM ET on ABC (No. 13 Texas vs. No. 18 Michigan), while the Las Vegas Bowl follows at 3:30 PM ET on ESPN (Nebraska vs. No. 15 Utah).

College Football Playoff First Round and Quarterfinals

The CFP First Round games are hosted on the campuses of higher-seeded teams on December 19-20. On Friday, December 19, No. 9 Alabama visits No. 8 Oklahoma at 8:00 PM ET on ABC/ESPN.

Saturday, December 20 features three matchups. At 12:00 PM ET on ABC/ESPN, No. 10 Miami (FL) travels to No. 7 Texas A&M. Later, No. 20 Tulane faces No. 6 Ole Miss at 3:30 PM ET on TNT/HBO Max, and the day concludes with No. 24 James Madison at No. 5 Oregon at 7:30 PM ET, also on TNT/HBO Max.

The CFP Quarterfinals align with the New Year's Six bowls. On Wednesday, December 31, the Cotton Bowl at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN features the Miami/Texas A&M winner against No. 2 Ohio State.

New Year's Day offers three more quarterfinals. The Orange Bowl kicks off at 12:00 PM ET on ESPN, with the James Madison/Oregon winner facing No. 4 Texas Tech. The Rose Bowl follows at 4:00 PM ET (Alabama/Oklahoma winner vs. No. 1 Indiana), and the Sugar Bowl at 8:00 PM ET (Tulane/Ole Miss winner vs. No. 3 Georgia), all on ESPN.

Final Bowl Games and CFP Semifinals

The last day of bowl games is Friday, January 2, 2026, starting with the Armed Forces Bowl at 1:00 PM ET on ESPN (Texas State vs. Rice). The Liberty Bowl follows at 4:30 PM ET (Navy vs. Cincinnati), while the evening features the Duke's Mayo Bowl on ESPN (Mississippi State vs. Wake Forest) and the Holiday Bowl on FOX (Arizona vs. SMU), both at 8:00 PM ET.

The CFP Semifinals take place in early January. The Fiesta Bowl hosts one semifinal on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN. The Peach Bowl follows on Friday, January 9, 2026, also at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN.

Finally, the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship wraps up the season on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN, held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.

Bowl Game Betting Checklist

Betting during bowl season requires a unique approach. With extended breaks between games, roster changes, and varying team motivations, it's essential to have a game plan. Here's how you can prepare and refine your betting strategy using BettorEdge.

Research Before Betting

Check injury reports and player availability. Bowl games often see key players sitting out to prepare for the NFL Draft or due to transfer portal moves. These absences can significantly impact a team's performance. Stay updated by monitoring team announcements and beat reporters, especially in the days leading up to the game.

Evaluate team motivation. Not all teams approach bowl games with the same energy. For some, it's a rare opportunity to shine, while others might view it as a letdown after missing out on bigger goals like the College Football Playoff. Younger players vying for future starting roles can also bring extra intensity to the field.

Study defensive matchups. Teams with strong defenses, such as Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas Tech, often excel in covering spreads or hitting under bets, especially when facing opponents with weakened offenses.

Understand Group of Five vs. Power Conference dynamics. Historically, Group of Five teams tend to struggle against Power Conference opponents, which is worth factoring into your analysis.

Identify game-changing players. Star athletes can heavily influence outcomes. For example, Indiana's quarterback Fernando Mendoza, a potential Heisman contender, or Ohio State's standout receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, can create opportunities for prop bets or team totals.

Thorough research forms the backbone of any successful bowl season betting strategy.

Using BettorEdge Markets

Once you’ve done your homework, BettorEdge offers tools to make the most of your insights. Unlike traditional sportsbooks, BettorEdge provides a peer-to-peer marketplace where you can set your own odds and find better value.

Post your own bets. If you spot a mispriced spread or total, create a custom wager. Other users with differing opinions can accept your offer, giving you control over the terms instead of relying on sportsbook odds.

Browse listed bets for quick action. The marketplace displays all active bets from other users, which you can filter by sport, league, bet type, or odds range. With plenty of liquidity, you’re likely to find someone ready to take the opposite side of your position.

Explore all betting options across bowl games. The 2025–26 bowl season includes 35 non-College Football Playoff games and 11 CFP matchups, offering endless opportunities. Whether you prefer spreads, totals, moneylines, or props, there’s a bet type for every angle.

Leverage Premium features for better odds. Premium members can place up to $750 monthly in no-fee bets and access BetMatch, a tool that compares BettorEdge’s odds with external markets. This can help you spot situations where BettorEdge provides better value.

Engage with the social feed. The community feed shows which sides other bettors are backing, offering insights into public sentiment. If you notice heavy support for one side, it might be a chance to go contrarian. You can also learn from experienced bettors who explain their reasoning.

Join bowl-specific groups. Collaborate with others in groups focused on bowl season betting. These discussions often highlight critical updates, like player availability or late-breaking news, before they become widely known.

BettorEdge’s marketplace and community tools help you stay agile as bowl matchups unfold.

Live Betting and Performance Tracking

Once your pre-game bets are placed, keep an eye on live betting opportunities. Bowl games can be unpredictable, and in-game events often shift the odds.

Capitalize on in-game developments. Injuries, momentum swings, or weather changes can alter the flow of a game. If a favorite falls behind early but you believe they’ll recover, live betting allows you to secure better odds than pregame lines.

Try parimutuel pools for shared payouts. With parimutuel betting, payouts depend on the pool size. Entering early at favorable odds can increase your potential return as the pool grows.

Use analytics to track performance. BettorEdge’s dashboard lets you analyze your bets by league, wager type, and time frame. After bowl season, review your results to identify trends - like whether you’re more successful with totals or spreads - and refine your approach.

Check community leaderboards. Compare your performance to other bettors based on ROI, win percentage, and streaks. Observing top performers can provide valuable insights, while consistent success might even attract followers who want to mimic your bets.

Document your decision-making process. Use the social feed to note the reasoning behind your wagers. This helps you evaluate whether your logic was sound and identify any biases in your strategy.

Manage your bankroll wisely. With multiple games happening daily during peak bowl season, it’s easy to overextend. Set daily or weekly betting limits, and use BettorEdge’s tools to monitor your total exposure across all active wagers.

College Football Playoff Betting Guide

The College Football Playoff (CFP) is where the stakes are highest, and the competition is fierce. Betting on these games requires a sharper focus and strategy compared to non-playoff bowl games. While general bowl betting principles still apply, the unique pressures and dynamics of the CFP demand a more tailored approach.

Key CFP Betting Factors

Seeding tells part of the story, but current form matters more. For example, a No. 8 seed like Oklahoma hosting No. 9 Alabama on December 19 at Memorial Stadium in Norman gains a distinct home-field advantage, even with similar rankings. That edge can shift the point spread by several points compared to a neutral site matchup.

Playoff experience can make or break a team. Programs like Ohio State and Georgia have been here before and know how to handle the pressure. On the other hand, a team like Indiana, making its CFP debut, may struggle with the intensity. When No. 1 Indiana faces the winner of the Oklahoma–Alabama game at the Rose Bowl on January 1, their lack of playoff history could influence how they manage the moment.

Coaching adjustments can swing outcomes. The 12-day gap between first-round games (December 19–20) and the quarterfinals (December 31–January 1) gives coaches extra time to prepare. Defensive coordinators, in particular, can use this window to craft strategies against high-powered offenses. Teams with strong defenses like Texas Tech, Ohio State, and Georgia often excel with this additional preparation.

Top seeds enjoy byes, but momentum and fatigue play a role. The top four seeds - Indiana, Ohio State, Texas Tech, and Georgia - skip the first round, entering later rounds fresher. However, this can sometimes disrupt their rhythm. Meanwhile, first-round winners may carry momentum but could also be physically drained, a factor that tends to influence totals more than spreads.

Injuries take on added significance. A key player's absence during the playoffs can shift lines by two or three points, far more than during the regular season. With no extra weeks to recover, even minor injuries can have a major impact.

Matchups matter more than season stats. Instead of relying solely on overall statistics, consider how teams perform against opponents with similar strengths. A team with a high-scoring offense could struggle against a top-tier run defense, making matchup-specific analysis crucial.

Available CFP Markets on BettorEdge

BettorEdge provides a variety of markets tailored specifically for CFP betting, offering unique opportunities for savvy bettors.

• Point spreads adjust in real-time. BettorEdge reflects the supply and demand of its active betting community, leading to dynamic spreads.

• Totals offer flexibility. You can set your own over/under if you anticipate a game deviating from the consensus. For instance, if the community sets a total at 52.5 points but you expect a lower-scoring game, you can post your own number.

• Moneyline bets favor underdog value. If spreads feel too wide, betting directly on an underdog can provide better returns. BettorEdge's marketplace often offers more attractive moneyline prices.

• Player props expand closer to game day. Bets on individual performances, like passing yards or rushing touchdowns, become available as the games approach.

• Live betting captures momentum shifts. BettorEdge's live markets allow you to adjust bets mid-game, taking advantage of dramatic swings without the delays seen at traditional sportsbooks.

• Parimutuel pools offer unique payout opportunities. Early entries at favorable odds can lead to higher payouts as more bettors join in.

• High-profile games bring tighter spreads. The popularity of CFP matchups increases liquidity, improving pricing and creating a more competitive marketplace.

Finding Value in Playoff Games

The peer-to-peer nature of BettorEdge opens up opportunities to find value, especially when the public heavily favors marquee teams.

• Counter public overreactions. Teams like Alabama, Ohio State, and Georgia often attract casual bettors who inflate their value. If you notice heavy public support on one side, consider posting bets with slightly better odds on the opposite side.

• Use BetMatch to find pricing gaps. Premium members can compare BettorEdge's odds with external markets, especially during peak betting times like the quarterfinals and semifinals.

• Track sharp money through line shifts. Sudden changes in the spread without major news often indicate sharp action. Pay attention to the community feed and leaderboards to see where experienced bettors are placing their money.

• Post contrarian odds. If you believe the market has mispriced a game, create your own bet rather than accepting the current offers.

• Take advantage of Premium features. Free users can place up to $100 per month in no-fee bets, while Premium members enjoy limits up to $750. This extra capacity is especially useful during the CFP, allowing you to capitalize on more opportunities.

• Join CFP-focused groups. Engaging with these groups can provide real-time insights, such as news about injuries or coaching strategies, giving you an edge.

• Monitor sentiment shifts. Keep an eye on the social feed as game day nears. If early betting heavily favors one side but later activity reverses - perhaps due to weather or injury updates - it might be time to adjust your strategy.

• Hedge futures bets for guaranteed profits. If your futures bet on a team to win the national title is still alive, consider hedging by betting against them in their next game. This approach locks in a profit regardless of the outcome.

Conclusion

The 2025–26 college football bowl season stretches across five action-packed weeks, starting with the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta on December 13, 2025, and wrapping up with the CFP National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on January 19, 2026. From early matchups like the Cure and Gasparilla Bowls to the high-stakes drama of the College Football Playoff (CFP) rounds, this season promises excitement for fans and bettors alike.

Success during bowl season hinges on preparation. Before placing your bets, dive into key factors like team motivation, coaching changes, and injury updates that can surface during the break between the regular season and bowl games. BettorEdge’s advanced tools are designed to complement your research, keeping you informed and ready throughout the season.

With BettorEdge, you gain access to a community-driven marketplace, transparent pricing, and real-time insights into sharp money movements. The platform makes betting smarter and more engaging, especially during marquee events like the CFP first-round games on December 19–20 and the quarterfinals on December 31–January 1. These games offer some of the season's most exciting opportunities, whether you’re betting on spreads, totals, moneylines, or player props.

BettorEdge’s live markets and parimutuel pools keep you in the action, while its Free and Premium memberships provide features like no-fee betting limits, advanced analytics, BetMatch for line shopping, and CFP-focused groups. These tools are designed to enhance your experience and give you an edge throughout the bowl season.

Use this guide to navigate every stage of the bowl season, from the early matchups to the national championship, and make the most of every game.

FAQs

How does the new 12-team College Football Playoff format affect the bowl season schedule and betting options?

The 12-team College Football Playoff format, now entering its second season, brings a fresh twist to the 2025-26 bowl schedule. The action begins on December 13, 2025, and wraps up with the National Championship on January 19, 2026. Key dates to mark include the first-round games on December 19 and 20, followed by the quarterfinals on December 31 and January 1, and the semifinals on January 8 and 9.

This expanded setup means more high-stakes games, creating plenty of opportunities for fans to stay engaged - and for those interested, to dive into postseason betting. With an increased number of matchups and tighter competition, the excitement is sure to appeal to everyone, from casual viewers to dedicated bettors.

What should I consider when betting on non-playoff bowl games versus College Football Playoff games?

When placing bets on college football bowl games, there are several factors to consider: team motivation, coaching changes, player opt-outs, and matchup dynamics. In non-playoff bowl games, teams often approach the game with different levels of enthusiasm. For some, it’s a celebratory reward for the season, while others might not share the same level of interest or focus.

On the other hand, College Football Playoff games are a completely different story. With championship aspirations on the line, teams are almost always fully committed, and star players are far less likely to sit out. Understanding how these elements vary between non-playoff and playoff games can help you make smarter betting choices.

How can I use BettorEdge to improve my live betting strategy during the 2025-26 college football bowl season?

BettorEdge equips you with the tools you need to make sharper live betting calls during the 2025-26 college football bowl season. With features like real-time odds updates, advanced analytics, and predictive insights, you can stay ahead of the game and spot opportunities as they happen.

Use data to track momentum shifts, player injuries, or strategic adjustments, allowing you to fine-tune your bets on the fly. Plus, BettorEdge lets you dive into trends across multiple games, giving you a bigger picture and helping you place smarter bets throughout the postseason.