College Football Playoff National Championship

End of season American football event

College football bowl game

College Football Playoff National Championship

Stadium| Various
Operated| 2014–present
Preceded by|

* BCS National Championship Game (1998–2013)
* Bowl Alliance (1995–1997)
* Bowl Coalition (1992–1994)
* National polls (1869–1870, 1872–1991)

2024 season matchup
Ohio State vs. Notre Dame (Ohio State 34–23)

The College Football Playoff National Championship is a post-season college football bowl game, used to determine a national champion of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), which began play in the 2014 college football season.[1] Since 2025, the game is held on the third Monday of January and serves as the final game of the College Football Playoff (CFP), a bracket tournament between the top five ranked conference champions, and the top 7 ranked at-large teams in the country that are selected by a playoff committee, which was established as a successor to the Bowl Championship Series and then its similar BCS National Championship Game.

The participating teams in the College Football Playoff National Championship are determined by two semifinal games, hosted by an annual rotation of bowls commonly known as the New Year's Six. Thus, the teams to compete in the final are not directly selected by a selection committee, as had been the format used for the BCS National Championship Game.

The game is played at a neutral site, determined through bids by prospective host cities (similar to the NCAA Final Four). When announcing it was soliciting bids for the 2016 and 2017 title games, playoff organizers noted that the bids must propose host stadiums with a capacity of at least 65,000 spectators,[2] and cities cannot host both a semi-final game and the title game in the same year.[3]

The winner of the game is awarded the College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy, which is sponsored by Dr Pepper.[4] It was created as a new championship trophy, rather than the "crystal football" that has been given by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) since 1986, as officials wanted a new trophy that was unconnected with the previous BCS championship system.[5]

The inaugural game was held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on January 12, 2015, and was won by Ohio State.[6] A top-ranked team did not win the College Football Playoff National Championship until LSU won the sixth edition of the game, in January 2020. Alabama has the most appearances in a College Football Playoff National Championship, with six, and also the most wins, with three.

The College Football Playoff National Championship is not awarded by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The highest level of college football that the NCAA awards a championship in is the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

## Venues

[edit]

AT&T Stadium, in Arlington, Texas, hosted the first College Football Playoff National Championship game, in January 2015.

Cities across the United States can bid on the National Championship Game each year. The number of cities capable of bidding for the event is restricted by a requirement to have a stadium with at least 65,000 seats. The stadium restriction would limit the bidding to most cities with a National Football League franchise, since all but four of the stadiums in the league meet the capacity requirements, and in practice all National Championship venues chosen for up to and including the 2026 game are also home to at least one NFL franchise. Unlike the Super Bowl, there is no de jure restriction on climate.[2][3] A venue can not host a semi-final game and the National Championship Game in the same season.

### Host cities/regions

[edit]

Miami Metro Area

New Orleans

L.A. Metro Area

Tampa

Houston

Las Vegas Metro Area

Atlanta

Phoenix Metro Area

S.F. Bay Area

Dallas‑Fort Worth

Indianapolis

class=notpageimage|

National Championship Game host cities/regions

The first 10 championship games were each held in a different venue. The 2025 game was the first to be contested in a venue that had previously hosted a CFP title game.

Location | Stadium | Games | Years hosted

|
|
|

Atlanta | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | 2 | 2018, 2025
Miami metro area | Hard Rock Stadium | 1† | 2021, 2026, 2030
New Orleans | Caesars Superdome | 1† | 2020, 2028
Tampa | Raymond James Stadium  | 1† | 2017, 2029
Houston | NRG Stadium | 1 | 2024
Greater Los Angeles | SoFi Stadium | 1 | 2023
Indianapolis | Lucas Oil Stadium | 1 | 2022
San Francisco Bay Area | Levi's Stadium | 1 | 2019
Phoenix metropolitan area | State Farm Stadium | 1 | 2016
Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex | AT&T Stadium | 1 | 2015
Las Vegas metropolitan area | Allegiant Stadium | 0† | 2027

† Scheduled for the year(s) noted in italics

Note: Years listed are the calendar year in which the game was played (or will be played) rather than NCAA season.

## Game results

[edit]

For previous final results, see BCS National Championship Game (1998–2013), Bowl Alliance (1995–1997), and Bowl Coalition (1992–1994).

Rankings are from the CFP Poll released prior to matchup.

Season  | Playoff  | Date  | Winning team[a] | Score  | Losing team[a] | Venue  | City  | Attendance  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

2014 | 2014–15 | January 12, 2015 | No. 4 Ohio State |

42–20

| No. 2 Oregon | AT&T Stadium | Arlington, Texas | 85,788  | Notes
2015 | 2015–16 | January 11, 2016 | No. 2 Alabama |

45–40

| No. 1 Clemson | University of Phoenix Stadium | Glendale, Arizona | 75,765  | Notes
2016 | 2016–17 | January 9, 2017 | No. 2 Clemson |

35–31

| No. 1 Alabama | Raymond James Stadium | Tampa, Florida | 74,512  | Notes
2017 | 2017–18 | January 8, 2018 | No. 4 Alabama |

26–23 (OT)

| No. 3 Georgia | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta, Georgia | 77,430  | Notes
2018 | 2018–19 | January 7, 2019 | No. 2 Clemson |

44–16

| No. 1 Alabama | Levi's Stadium | Santa Clara, California | 74,814  | Notes
2019 | 2019–20 | January 13, 2020 | No. 1 LSU |

42–25

| No. 3 Clemson | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | New Orleans, Louisiana | 76,885  | Notes
2020 | 2020–21 | January 11, 2021 | No. 1 Alabama |

52–24

| No. 3 Ohio State | Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Gardens, Florida | 14,926‡  | Notes
2021 | 2021–22 | January 10, 2022 | No. 3 Georgia |

33–18

| No. 1 Alabama | Lucas Oil Stadium | Indianapolis, Indiana | 68,311  | Notes
2022 | 2022–23 | January 9, 2023 | No. 1 Georgia |

65–7

| No. 3 TCU | SoFi Stadium | Inglewood, California | 72,628  | Notes
2023 | 2023–24 | January 8, 2024 | No. 1 Michigan |

34–13

| No. 2 Washington | NRG Stadium | Houston, Texas | 72,808  | Notes
2024 | 2024–25 | January 20, 2025 | No. 8 Ohio State |

34–23

| No. 7 Notre Dame | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta, Georgia | 77,660  | Notes
Future dates
2025 | 2025–26 | January 19, 2026  |  |  |  | Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Gardens, Florida |  |
2026 | 2026–27 | January 25, 2027  |  |  |  | Allegiant Stadium | Paradise, Nevada |  |
2027 | 2027–28 | January 24, 2028  |  |  |  | Caesars Superdome | New Orleans, Louisiana |  |
2028 | 2028–29 | January 22, 2029  |  |  |  | Raymond James Stadium | Tampa, Florida |  |
2029 | 2029–30 | January 21, 2030  |  |  |  | Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Gardens, Florida |  |

‡ Attendance at the January 2021 game was limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.
Source:[7][8][9]

## Appearances by team

[edit]

LSU's post-victory press conference

Updated through the January 2025 edition (11 games, 22 total appearances).

Title game
appearances  | Team[a] | Wins  | Losses  | Win%  | Season(s) won  | Season(s) lost

|
|
|
|
|
|

6  | Alabama  | 3 | 3 | .500  | 2015, 2017, 2020  | 2016, 2018, 2021
4  | Clemson  | 2 | 2 | .500  | 2016, 2018  | 2015, 2019
3  | Ohio State  | 2 | 1 | .667  | 2014, 2024  | 2020
3  | Georgia  | 2 | 1 | .667  | 2021, 2022  | 2017
1  | LSU  | 1 | 0 | 1.000  | 2019  |
1  | Michigan  | 1 | 0 | 1.000  | 2023  |
1  | Notre Dame  | 0 | 1 | .000  |   | 2024
1  | Oregon  | 0 | 1 | .000  |   | 2014
1  | TCU  | 0 | 1 | .000  |   | 2022
1  | Washington  | 0 | 1 | .000  |   | 2023

## Appearances by conference

[edit]

Updated through the January 2025 edition (11 games, 22 total appearances).

Conference  | Appearances  | Wins  | Losses  | Win Pct  | # Teams  | Team(s)  | Title seasons

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

SEC | 10 | 6 | 4 | .600[b] | 3  |

* Alabama (3–3)
* Georgia (2–1)
* LSU (1–0)

| 2015, 2017, 2019,
2020, 2021, 2022
Big Ten | 4 | 3 | 1 | .750  | 2  |

* Ohio State (2–1)
* Michigan (1–0)

| 2014, 2023, 2024
ACC | 4 | 2 | 2 | .500  | 1  | Clemson (2–2)  | 2016, 2018
Pac-12 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000  | 2  |

* Oregon (0–1)
* Washington (0–1)

Big 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000  | 1  | TCU (0–1)  |
Independent | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000  | 1  | Notre Dame (0–1)  |

## Coaches

[edit]

The following coaches led their teams to the National Championship final. Nick Saban has reached the final the most times, six, with a 3–3 record.

Nick Saban Season  | Game date  | Winning coach  | Losing coach

|
|
|

Coach  | Team  | Coach  | Team
2014 | January 12, 2015 | Urban Meyer | Ohio State | Mark Helfrich | Oregon
2015 | January 11, 2016 | Nick Saban | Alabama | Dabo Swinney | Clemson
2016 | January 9, 2017 | Dabo Swinney | Clemson | Nick Saban | Alabama
2017 | January 8, 2018 | Nick Saban | Alabama | Kirby Smart | Georgia
2018 | January 7, 2019 | Dabo Swinney | Clemson | Nick Saban | Alabama
2019 | January 13, 2020 | Ed Orgeron | LSU | Dabo Swinney | Clemson
2020 | January 11, 2021 | Nick Saban | Alabama | Ryan Day | Ohio State
2021 | January 10, 2022 | Kirby Smart | Georgia | Nick Saban | Alabama
2022  | January 9, 2023 | Kirby Smart | Georgia | Sonny Dykes | TCU
2023  | January 8, 2024 | Jim Harbaugh | Michigan | Kalen DeBoer | Washington
2024  | January 20, 2025 | Ryan Day | Ohio State | Marcus Freeman | Notre Dame

### Appearances by coach

[edit]

Kirby Smart Coach  | Team  | Games  | W  | L

|
|
|
|

Nick Saban | Alabama | 6 | 3 | 3
Dabo Swinney | Clemson | 4 | 2 | 2
Kirby Smart | Georgia | 3 | 2 | 1
Ryan Day | Ohio State | 2 | 1 | 1
Ed Orgeron | LSU | 1 | 1 | 0
Jim Harbaugh | Michigan | 1 | 1 | 0
Urban Meyer | Ohio State | 1 | 1 | 0
Marcus Freeman | Notre Dame | 1 | 0 | 1
Mark Helfrich | Oregon | 1 | 0 | 1
Sonny Dykes | TCU | 1 | 0 | 1
Kalen DeBoer | Washington | 1 | 0 | 1

## MVPs

[edit]

Deshaun Watson was offensive MVP of the January 2017 game.

An offensive MVP and defensive MVP are named for each final.

Game  | Date  | Offensive MVP  | Defensive MVP  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

Player  | Team  | Pos  | Player  | Team  | Pos
2015 | January 12, 2015 | Ezekiel Elliott | Ohio State | RB | Tyvis Powell | Ohio State | S | [10]
2016 | January 11, 2016 | O. J. Howard | Alabama | TE | Eddie Jackson | Alabama | S | [11]
2017 | January 9, 2017 | Deshaun Watson | Clemson | QB | Ben Boulware | Clemson | LB | [12]
2018 | January 8, 2018 | Tua Tagovailoa | Alabama | QB | Daron Payne | Alabama | DT | [13]
2019 | January 7, 2019 | Trevor Lawrence | Clemson | QB | Trayvon Mullen | Clemson | CB | [14]
2020 | January 13, 2020 | Joe Burrow | LSU | QB | Patrick Queen | LSU | LB | [15]
2021 | January 11, 2021 | DeVonta Smith | Alabama | WR | Christian Barmore | Alabama | DT | [16]
2022 | January 10, 2022 | Stetson Bennett | Georgia | QB | Lewis Cine | Georgia | DB | [17]
2023 | January 9, 2023 | Stetson Bennett | Georgia | QB | Javon Bullard | Georgia | DB | [18]
2024 | January 8, 2024 | Blake Corum | Michigan | RB | Will Johnson | Michigan | CB | [19]
2025 | January 20, 2025 | Will Howard | Ohio State | QB | Cody Simon | Ohio State | LB | [20]

## Game records

[edit]

Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 246 yards in the 2015 game. Derrick Henry had a 50-yard touchdown rush in the 2016 game Jake Fromm threw an 80-yard touchdown pass in the 2018 game. DeVonta Smith had three touchdown receptions in the 2021 game. Team records  | Record  | Head coach  | Team  | Opponent  | Game

|
|
|
|
|

Most points (winning team)  | 65  | Kirby Smart | Georgia | TCU | 2023
Most points (losing team)  | 40  | Dabo Swinney | Clemson | Alabama | 2016
Most points (both teams)  | 85  | Nick Saban | Alabama | 45
Dabo Swinney | Clemson | 40
Fewest points (both teams)  | 47  | Jim Harbaugh | Michigan | 34 | 2024
Kalen DeBoer | Washington | 13
Fewest points allowed  | 7  | Kirby Smart | Georgia | TCU | 2023
Largest margin of victory  | 58  | Kirby Smart | Georgia | TCU | 2023
Smallest margin of victory  | 3  | Nick Saban | Alabama | Georgia | 2018
Largest comeback  | 14  | Dabo Swinney | Clemson | Alabama | 2017
Rushing yards  | 303  | Jim Harbaugh | Michigan | Washington | 2024
Passing yards  | 464  | Nick Saban | Alabama | Ohio State | 2021
Total yards  | 628  | Ed Orgeron | LSU | Clemson | 2020
First downs  | 33  | Nick Saban | Alabama | Ohio State | 2021
Fewest rushing yards allowed  | 30  | Kirby Smart | Georgia | Alabama | 2022
Fewest passing yards allowed  | 152  | Kirby Smart | Georgia | TCU | 2023
Fewest total yards allowed  | 188  | Kirby Smart | Georgia | TCU | 2023
Total plays  | 99  | Dabo Swinney | Clemson | Alabama | 2017
Individual records  | Record  | Player  | Team  | Opponent  | Game
Total offense  | 521  | Joe Burrow | LSU | Clemson | 2020
Rushing yards  | 246  | Ezekiel Elliott | Ohio State | Oregon | 2015
Rushing TDs  | 4
Passing yards  | 464  | Mac Jones | Alabama | Ohio State | 2021
Passing TDs  | 5  | Joe Burrow | LSU | Clemson | 2020
Mac Jones | Alabama | Ohio State | 2021
Receptions  | 12  | DeVonta Smith
Receiving yards  | 221  | Ja'Marr Chase | LSU | Clemson | 2020
Receiving TDs  | 3  | DeVonta Smith | Alabama | Ohio State | 2021
TDs responsible for[c] | 6  | Joe Burrow | LSU | Clemson | 2020
Stetson Bennett | Georgia | TCU | 2023
Field goals  | 4  | Will Reichard | Alabama | Georgia | 2022
Tackles (total)  | 14  | Tuf Borland | Ohio State | Alabama | 2021
Sacks  | 3.0  | Kevin Dodd | Clemson | Alabama | 2016
Interceptions  | 2  | Javon Bullard | Georgia | TCU | 2023
Punts  | 10  | J. K. Scott | Alabama | Clemson | 2017
Long plays  | Record  | Player  | Team  | Opponent  | Game
Touchdown rush  | 50  | Derrick Henry | Alabama | Clemson | 2016
Rush  | 70  | Quinshon Judkins | Ohio State | Notre Dame | 2025
Touchdown pass  | 80  | Jake Fromm | Georgia | Alabama | 2018
Pass
Touchdown reception  | Mecole Hardman
Reception
Kickoff return  | 95  | Kenyan Drake | Alabama | Clemson | 2016
Punt return  | 19  | Mecole Hardman | Georgia | Alabama | 2018
DeVonta Smith | Alabama | Ohio State | 2021
Interception return  | 81  | Mike Sainristil | Michigan | Washington | 2024
Punt  | 58  | Will Spiers  | Clemson | LSU | 2020
Field goal  | 52  | B.T. Potter

Source:[21][22]

## National anthem performers

[edit]

The national anthem usually begins with a drumroll by two drummers, with one member representing each team.[citation needed]

* 2015: Lady Antebellum
* 2016: Ciara
* 2017: Little Big Town
* 2018: Zac Brown Band
* 2019: Andy Grammer
* 2020: Lauren Daigle
* 2022: Natalie Grant
* 2023: Pentatonix
* 2024: Fantasia
* 2025: Coco Jones (accompanied by Adam Blackstone)

The national anthem for the 2021 game was pre-recorded due to COVID concerns.[23]

## Broadcasters

[edit]

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

### Television

[edit]

Chris Fowler has called every National Championship final. Date | Network | Play-by-play | Color commentator(s) | Sideline reporter(s)

|
|
|
|

January 12, 2015  | ESPN | Chris Fowler | Kirk Herbstreit | Heather Cox and Tom Rinaldi
January 11, 2016
January 9, 2017  | Samantha Ponder and Tom Rinaldi
January 8, 2018  | Maria Taylor and Tom Rinaldi
January 7, 2019
January 13, 2020
January 11, 2021  | Maria Taylor and Allison Williams
January 10, 2022  | Holly Rowe and Molly McGrath
January 9, 2023
January 8, 2024
January 20, 2025

Beginning with the 2027 championship, ABC will simulcast the national championship with ESPN.[24]

### Radio

[edit]

Mike Tirico called the first two National Championship finals before moving to NBC after the 2016 game. Date  | Network  | Play-by-play  | Color commentator(s)  | Sideline reporter(s)

|
|
|
|

January 12, 2015 | ESPN Radio | Mike Tirico | Todd Blackledge | Holly Rowe and Joe Schad
January 11, 2016
January 9, 2017 | Sean McDonough | Holly Rowe and Ian Fitzsimmons
January 8, 2018
January 7, 2019
January 13, 2020
January 11, 2021 | Greg McElroy |
January 10, 2022 | Todd Blackledge | Ian Fitzsimmons and Kris Budden
January 9, 2023
January 8, 2024 | Greg McElroy
January 20, 2025 | Ian Fitzsimmons and Katie George

### Local radio

[edit]

Eli Gold has called every National Championship final Alabama has been in. Date  | Flagship station  | Play-by-play  | Color commentator(s)  | Sideline reporter(s)

|
|
|
|

January 12, 2015 | KUGN (Oregon)
WBNS-AM/FM (Ohio State) | Jerry Allen
Paul Keels | Mike Jorgensen
Jim Lachey |
Marty Bannister
January 11, 2016 | WFFN/WTSK (Alabama)
WCCP-FM (Clemson) | Eli Gold
Don Munson | Phil Savage
Rodney Williams | Chris Stewart
Michael Palmer
January 9, 2017 | WCCP-FM (Clemson)
WFFN/WTSK (Alabama) | Don Munson
Eli Gold | Rodney Williams
Phil Savage | Michael Palmer
Chris Stewart
January 8, 2018 | WFFN/WTSK (Alabama)
WSB (Georgia) | Eli Gold
Scott Howard | Phil Savage
Eric Zeier | Chris Stewart
Chuck Dowdle
January 7, 2019 | WCCP-FM (Clemson)
WFFN/WTSK (Alabama) | Don Munson
Eli Gold | Rodney Williams
John Parker Wilson | Reggie Merriweather
Rashad Johnson
January 13, 2020 | WCCP-FM (Clemson)
WDGL (LSU) | Don Munson
Chris Blair | Tim Bourret and Brad Scott
Doug Moreau | Reggie Merriweather
Gordy Rush
January 11, 2021 | WBNS-AM/FM (Ohio State)
WFFN/WTSK (Alabama) | Paul Keels
Eli Gold | Jim Lachey
John Parker Wilson | Matt Andrews
Rashad Johnson
January 10, 2022 | WSB (Georgia)
WFFN/WTSK (Alabama) | Scott Howard
Eli Gold | Eric Zeier
John Parker Wilson | D. J. Shockley
Rashad Johnson
January 9, 2023 | WBAP (TCU)
WSB (Georgia) | Brian Estridge
Scott Howard | John Denton
Eric Zeier | Landry Burdine
D. J. Shockley
January 8, 2024 | KJR (Washington)
WWJ (Michigan) | Tony Castricone
Doug Karsch | Cameron Cleeland
Jon Jansen | Elise Woodward
Jason Avant
January 20, 2025 | WBNS-AM/FM (Ohio State)
WSBT (Notre Dame) | Paul Keels
Tony Simeone | Jim Lachey
Ryan Harris | Matt Andrews and Skip Mosic

## See also

[edit]

* College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS
* Koshien Bowl (Japanese Collegiate American Football Championship)
* Mythical national championship

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Team names are highlighted in each team's traditional colors.
2. ^ The 2017 and 2021 championship games featured SEC teams Alabama and Georgia. The SEC has a record of 4–2 (.667) in championship games against other conferences.
3. ^ "Touchdowns responsible for" is the NCAA's official term for combined passing and rushing touchdowns.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Wolken, Dan (April 25, 2013). "Questions and answers for the College Football Playoff". USA Today. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
2. ^ a b Jerry Hinnen (August 7, 2013). "CFB playoff opens bidding for 2016, '17 championship games". CBSSports.com. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
3. ^ a b Brett McMurphy (July 26, 2013). "More bids on future title game sites". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
4. ^ Anthony Crupi (March 25, 2014). "ESPN Inks Dr Pepper as First Mega-Sponsor of the College Football Playoff Series". Adweek. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
5. ^ Dennis Dodd (July 23, 2013). "New College Football Playoff will reportedly feature a new trophy". CBSSports.com. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
6. ^ McMurphy, Brett (January 7, 2013). "Arlington to host title game". ESPN. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
7. ^ "College Football Playoff National Championship" (PDF). Bowl/All Star Game Records. NCAA. 2020. p. 17. Retrieved January 3, 2021 – via NCAA.org.
8. ^ "College Football Playoff to expand to 12 teams starting with the 2024 season | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
9. ^ Nettuno, Tyler (January 20, 2025). "Where will the CFP national championship game be played in the next five years?". USA Today. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
10. ^ Bottero, Gino (January 13, 2015). "Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott, Tyvis Powell named title game MVPs". theScore.com.
11. ^ "Alabama's O.J. Howard, Eddie Jackson crowned MVPs of CFP title game". www.sportingnews.com. October 29, 2021.
12. ^ Conway, Tyler. "Deshaun Watson, Ben Boulware Win College Football National Championship MVPs". Bleacher Report.
13. ^ Rapp, Timothy. "Tua Tagovailoa, Da'Ron Payne Win 2018 College Football National Championship MVP". Bleacher Report.
14. ^ "Trevor Lawrence, Trayvon Mullen earn MVP honors as Clemson blows out Alabama". thestate. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
15. ^ Chippin, Alex (January 14, 2020). "Burrow, Queen named offensive, defensive MVPs of national title game". theScore.com. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
16. ^ Zucker, Joseph (January 11, 2021). "DeVonta Smith, Christian Barmore Win College Football National Championship MVPs". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
17. ^ Edwards, Mark (January 10, 2022). "National title game, Alabama vs. Georgia: Bulldogs beat Tide 33-18 for first title since 1980". The Anniston Star. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
18. ^ Sam, Doric (January 9, 2023). "Stetson Bennett, Javon Bullard Win 2023 College Football National Championship MVPs". Bleacher Report. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
19. ^ Peters, Andrew (January 8, 2024). "Michigan's Blake Corum, Will Johnson Named 2024 CFB National Championship MVPs". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
20. ^ Hadley, Taylyn (January 20, 2025). "Ohio State's Will Howard Wins 2025 College Football National Championship MVP". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
21. ^ "College Football Playoff Record Book: Team". SideArm Sports. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
22. ^ "College Football Playoff Record Book: Player". SideArm Sports. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
23. ^ Myerberg, Paul (January 11, 2021). "Surreal scene at Hard Rock Stadium grim reminder of difficult college football season". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 24, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
24. ^ Brooks, Amanda (March 19, 2024). "ESPN and the College Football Playoff Extend Exclusive Media Rights Agreement Through 2031-32 Season". ESPN Press Room U.S. Retrieved March 23, 2024.

* v
* t
* e

College Football Playoff

Overview|

* New Year's Six
* College Football Playoff National Championship

Games|

| 4-team
playoff|

* 2014–15 (Rose
* Sugar
* National Championship)
* 2015–16 (Orange
* Cotton
* National Championship)
* 2016–17 (Peach
* Fiesta
* National Championship)
* 2017–18 (Rose
* Sugar
* National Championship)
* 2018–19 (Orange
* Cotton
* National Championship)
* 2019–20 (Peach
* Fiesta
* National Championship)
* 2020–21 (Rose
* Sugar
* National Championship)
* 2021–22 (Orange
* Cotton
* National Championship)
* 2022–23 (Peach
* Fiesta
* National Championship)
* 2023–24 (Rose
* Sugar
* National Championship)

|

12-team
playoff|

* 2024–25 (Fiesta
* Peach
* Rose
* Sugar
* Orange
* Cotton
* National Championship)
* 2025–26 (Cotton
* Orange
* Rose
* Sugar
* Fiesta
* Peach
* National Championship)

* List of College Football Playoff games
* CFP National Championship Trophy
* NCAA Division I FBS champions
* Mythical national championship
* Power Four conferences

* v
* t
* e

Systems used to determine college football national championships

NCAA Division I-A/FBS|

* Various polling systems (1869–present)
* Bowl Coalition (1992–1994)
* Bowl Alliance (1995–1997)
* Bowl Championship Series (1998–2013)
* College Football Playoff (2014–present)

NCAA Division I-AA/FCS|

* NCAA Division I Football Championship (1978–present)

NCAA Division II|

* NCAA Division II Football Championship (1973–present)

NCAA Division III|

* NCAA Division III Football Championship (1973–present)

NAIA|

* NAIA Football National Championship (1956–present)
* NAIA Division II Football National Championship (1970–1996)

NJCAA|

* NJCAA National Football Championship (1956–present)

Additional systems|

* Black college football national championship (1920–present)
* UPI small college football rankings (1958–1974)
* AP small college football rankings (1960–1974)
* NCCAA Victory Bowl (1997–present)

* v
* t
* e

NCAA Division I FBS bowl games

College Football Playoff|

* Championship Game
* Cotton
* Fiesta
* Orange
* Peach
* Rose
* Sugar

Other bowl games|

* 68 Ventures
* Alamo
* Arizona
* Armed Forces
* Bahamas
* Birmingham
* Boca Raton
* Citrus
* Cure
* Duke's Mayo
* Famous Idaho Potato
* Fenway
* First Responder
* Frisco
* GameAbove Sports
* Gasparilla
* Gator
* Hawaii
* Holiday
* Independence
* LA
* Las Vegas
* Liberty
* Military
* Music City
* Myrtle Beach
* New Mexico
* New Orleans
* Pinstripe
* Pop-Tarts
* Rate
* ReliaQuest
* Salute to Veterans
* Sun
* Texas

All-Star games|

* East–West Shrine Bowl
* HBCU Legacy Bowl
* Hula Bowl
* Senior Bowl
* Tropical Bowl

* v
* t
* e

NCAA Division I FBS national championship games

Bowl Coalition|

* 1993
* 1994
* 1995

Bowl Alliance|

* 1996
* 1997
* 1998

Bowl Championship Series|

| Bowl game|

* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006

|

Standalone|

* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014

College Football Playoff|

| 4-team|

* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

|

12-team|

* 2025

* v
* t
* e

College football

NCAA|

| Competitions|

| Division I|

| FBS|

* National championship
* Playoff
* Playoff National Championship
* BCS National Championship Game
* Bowl games
* List
* Bids
* Coalition
* Alliance
* Championship Series
* Records
* Independent schools
* Rivalries
* Most-played

|

FCS|

* Championship
* Playoff appearances
* Independent schools

Division II|

* Championship

Division III|

* Championship

Other|

* Black college championship

Seasons|

* Division I-A (FBS)
* Division I-AA (FCS)
* Division II
* Division III

Programs|

* Div I (FBS)
* Div I (FCS)
* Div II
* Div III

Conferences 1|

* CAA
* Missouri Valley
* OVC–Big South
* Pioneer
* The United

Stadiums|

* FBS
* FCS

Records|

* Overview
* Teams by wins
* Win-loss records (FBS)
* Win-loss records (FCS)
* Win-loss records (DII)
* Win-loss records (DIII)

Related|

* Heisman Trophy
* Winners
* Curse
* Non-football programs
* Retired numbers
* Teams alignment history

NAIA|

| Competitions|

* National Championship

|

Conferences|

* Independent schools
* Mid-States

Other topics|

* Programs
* Seasons

NJCAA|

| Competitions|

* National Championship

|

Conferences|

* Midwest
* Northeast
* Southwest Junior
* Western States

3C2A|

* SCFA

NCCAA|

* Victory Bowl

Games|

* First games by state
* Games outside the U.S.
* Historically significant games
* Nicknamed games

Media|

* Radio
* Television
* Playoff debate

Related articles|

* AP rankings
* Black college classics
* Junior college programs
* Defunct conferences
* Defunct teams
* Game of the Century
* Hall of Fame
* Institutions with club football teams
* Seasons (list)
* UPI rankings
* American football in the United States

Non-U.S. football|

* Canada
* Ireland
* Japan
* Mexico
* South Korea
* UK

* 1 Note: Football-only conferences are listed

* * *

* Category
* Commons

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