Where is cfp final

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: The CFP National Championship is the annual championship game of the College Football Playoff (CFP), determining the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) national champion. The game is typically played in early January at a predetermined neutral site, with the 2024 championship held on January 8 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, where Michigan defeated Washington 34-13. The 2025 championship is scheduled for January 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

Key Facts

The CFP National Championship began in 2014, replacing the BCS system
The game is played at a predetermined neutral site, rotating among major stadiums
Michigan won the 2024 championship with a 34-13 victory over Washington
The 2025 championship will be held on January 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta
The CFP features a 4-team playoff format (expanding to 12 teams in 2024)

Overview

The College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship is the culminating event of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) season, determining the national champion through a playoff system. Established in 2014, it replaced the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) which had governed college football's championship determination from 1998 to 2013. The CFP was created to address criticisms of the BCS system, particularly its reliance on computer rankings and limited participation opportunities.

The championship game typically occurs in early January, following semifinal games played on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. Unlike regular bowl games which have fixed locations, the CFP National Championship rotates among major stadiums across the United States. This rotation system ensures different regions host the premier event, with venues selected years in advance through a competitive bidding process involving cities and stadium operators.

How It Works

The CFP National Championship represents the final stage of a multi-step selection and competition process.

Selection Committee Process: A 13-member selection committee ranks the top 25 teams weekly during the season, using specific criteria including strength of schedule, head-to-head results, conference championships, and common opponents. The committee releases six weekly rankings starting in early November, with the final rankings determining the four playoff participants.
Four-Team Playoff Format: From 2014 through 2023, the CFP featured a four-team bracket with two semifinal games played at major bowl sites. The semifinal rotation included the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Peach Bowl, and Fiesta Bowl. The winners advance to the national championship game at a predetermined neutral site.
Expansion to 12 Teams: Beginning in the 2024 season, the CFP expands to a 12-team format featuring the six highest-ranked conference champions and six at-large teams. The top four conference champions receive first-round byes, while teams ranked 5-12 play first-round games at campus sites. Quarterfinals and semifinals will be played at bowl sites before the championship game.
Championship Site Selection: Host cities bid for the championship game years in advance, with selections made by the CFP management committee. Criteria include stadium capacity (minimum 65,000 seats), hotel availability, transportation infrastructure, and local support. Sites are typically announced 3-5 years before the game date.

Key Comparisons

Feature	CFP National Championship (2014-Present)	BCS National Championship (1998-2013)
Selection Method	13-member committee selects 4 teams (expanding to 12 in 2024)	Computer rankings and polls selected 2 teams
Number of Participants	4 teams in playoff bracket (12 from 2024)	2 teams in single championship game
Revenue Distribution	Approximately $470 million annually to conferences	Approximately $180 million annually to conferences
Television Contract	ESPN pays $470 million annually through 2025	ABC/FOX paid $125 million annually
Host Site Rotation	Predetermined neutral sites selected years in advance	Rotated among BCS bowl sites (Rose, Sugar, Orange, Fiesta)

Why It Matters

Economic Impact: Host cities typically experience $150-200 million in direct economic impact from the championship game, with additional exposure value estimated at $30-50 million in media coverage. The 2020 championship in New Orleans generated approximately $185 million in economic activity for the region.
College Football Evolution: The CFP represents the most significant structural change in college football in decades, moving from subjective rankings to a committee-based system with expanded participation. The upcoming expansion to 12 teams will triple the number of programs with legitimate championship opportunities each season.
Television and Media Rights: The CFP championship consistently draws 25-30 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched sporting events annually in the United States. ESPN's $7.3 billion contract for the CFP through 2025 demonstrates the enormous financial value of college football's premier event.

The CFP National Championship continues to evolve as college football faces changing landscapes including conference realignment, name-image-likeness (NIL) policies, and potential future expansion. The move to a 12-team format in 2024 represents the next phase in making the championship more inclusive while maintaining the prestige of college football's ultimate prize. As the sport continues to grow in popularity and financial significance, the championship game will likely see further innovations in format, media distribution, and fan engagement in coming years.