The NCAA football bowl games are not just the thrilling finale of the college season but also a significant event that offers teams a chance to shine on a national stage. These NCAA football bowl games provide prestigious titles, trophies, exposure, and revenue for schools and conferences. They reward successful seasons with exciting matchups and memorable moments. The NCAA football bowl games for the 2024-25 college season kick off on December 14, 2024, and run through January 20, 2025, with the College Football Playoff National Championship in Atlanta. This NCAA football bowl games season features 47 bowl games, including the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. The College Football Playoff is increasing! This year’s 12-team bracket promises intense competition and thrilling games. The first round on December 20th and 21st will see eight teams vying for the ultimate prize. Who will put on their spot in the final four? Stay tuned! For the latest sports updates and in-depth coverage, visit our website. It’s a goldmine for sports enthusiasts, offering breaking news and detailed analysis. Stay ahead of the game!
The history of bowl games dates back to the early 20th century, with the first Rose Bowl played in 1902. Over the years, bowl games have become a significant part of college football, steeped in rich history and tradition. The Michigan Wolverines claimed the 2023-24 College Football Playoff National Championship, defeating the Washington Huskies 34-13—this marked Michigan’s first national title since 1997, rekindling pride among Wolverines fans. NCAA football bowl games 2024-25 are a cornerstone of college football, offering excitement, tradition, and thrilling matchups. They provide teams a national stage to showcase their talents, influence rankings, and create unforgettable moments for fans. Bowl games allow teams to make history with significant victories and upsets. Standout player performances can boost careers. Held across various U.S. cities, these games create unforgettable moments. This NCAA football bowl games season marks the first year of the 12-team College Football Playoff format, adding more excitement and competition to the postseason. Some games will be played in new or renovated stadiums, enhancing the experience for fans and players! Want to catch the latest American soccer action? Head to our website for live scores, highlights, and in-depth analysis. Don’t miss a single kick!
What are bowl games?
Bowl games are the grand finale of college football, featuring top teams in exciting postseason matchups. Bowl games celebrate tradition and unforgettable moments, from the historic Rose Bowl to the thrilling College Football Playoff. They offer prestigious titles, national exposure, and revenue, rewarding successful seasons and impacting careers. Teams qualify based on performance and selection committees. Bowl games, rich in tradition and culture, offer unique experiences from the iconic Rose Parade to vibrant tailgating at the Sugar Bowl, enhancing the atmosphere, drawing fans, boosting local economies, and creating lasting memories.
The New Year’s Six Bowls are not just games but among college football’s most prestigious and historic. These games and the CFP play a crucial role in determining the national champion through high-stakes semifinal games and the championship final.
Rose Bowl
The Rose Bowl, affectionately known as “The Granddaddy of Them All,” is the oldest and one of college football’s most prestigious bowl games. It showcases Big Ten and Pac-12 conference champions, creating thrilling matchups steeped in tradition and pageantry.
Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl, held in vibrant New Orleans, is a thrilling showdown that traditionally features powerhouse teams from the SEC and Big 12 conferences. This iconic game is a highlight of the college football season, bringing fans together for an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Big Easy.
Orange Bowl
The Orange Bowl, held in the vibrant city of Miami, is a thrilling event that often features top teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Southeastern Conference (SEC), or Big Ten conferences. This iconic game brings together fans for an exciting showdown in the heart of South Florida, creating unforgettable moments on and off the field.
Cotton Bowl
The Cotton Bowl, held in the heart of Texas, boasts a rich history and showcases top teams from various conferences. This iconic game is a highlight of the college NCAA football bowl games season, bringing fans together for an exciting showdown in the Lone Star State.
Peach Bowl
The Peach Bowl, held in Atlanta, has gained prominence as part of the CFP rotation in the NCAA football bowl games.
Fiesta Bowl
The Fiesta Bowl in sunny Arizona is renowned for its thrilling matchups and top-ranked teams. This exciting game brings together fans for an unforgettable experience, showcasing some of the best talent in college football. These games showcase team skills and significantly contribute to college football traditions and culture.
Fresh Prime Bowl Games
Beyond the major bowl games, several other significant bowl games attract attention and offer exciting NCAA football bowl games. These bowl games provide thrilling opportunities for teams to shine and create unforgettable moments for fans.
Citrus Bowl
The Citrus Bowl, held in sunny Orlando, Florida, is a must-watch event featuring top teams from the SEC and Big Ten conferences. It is known for its competitive NCAA football bowl games and festive atmosphere, which brings fans together for an exciting and memorable experience.
Outback Bowl
The Outback Bowl, held in sunny Tampa, Florida, is a thrilling event that traditionally pits teams from the SEC and Big Ten against each other. This exciting NCAA football bowl games offers fans a fantastic start to the new year, filled with competitive matchups and vibrant celebrations.
Alamo Bowl
The Alamo Bowl, set in the vibrant city of San Antonio, Texas, is a thrilling event that showcases top teams from the Big 12 and Pac-12 conferences. It is known for its exciting and high-scoring games, which bring fans together for an unforgettable football experience deep in the heart of Texas.
Holiday Bowl
The Holiday Bowl, set in beautiful San Diego, California, is a must-watch event featuring teams from the Pac-12, ACC, or Big Ten conferences. This bowl is known for its entertaining and often high-scoring contests, which bring fans together for an exciting football experience by the coast.
Gator Bowl
The Gator Bowl, held in Jacksonville, Florida, is a thrilling event that matches teams from the SEC, ACC, or Big Ten conferences. With its rich history and competitive NCAA football bowl games, this bowl game is a highlight of the college football season, bringing fans together for an exciting showdown in the Sunshine State.
Sun Bowl
The Sun Bowl, set in the picturesque desert landscape of El Paso, Texas, is one of the oldest and most storied bowl games in college football. Featuring teams from the ACC and Pac-12, this NCAA football bowl game is known for its unique setting and thrilling matchups, making it a must-watch event for fans.
Some Changes
Non-CFP bowl games have reportedly undergone several changes compared to the previous year.
- The Holiday Bowl shifted from Petco Park to Snapdragon Stadium.
- The Cure Bowl relocated from FBC Mortgage Stadium to Camping World Stadium.
- The Quick Lane Bowl was renamed the Game Above Sports Bowl.
- The Camellia Bowl was renamed the Salute to Veterans Bowl.
- The Rate Bowl overhauled the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.
The 2024 bowl season for various NCAA divisions concluded with several notable games:
- Division I FCS: The NCAA football bowl games wrapped up on December 14, 2024, with the Celebration Bowl.
- Division II: The season ended on December 7, 2024, featuring the Heritage Bowl and America’s Crossroads Bowl.
- Division III: The NCAA football bowl games concluded on November 23, 2024, with a series of bowls, including the Centennial-MAC Bowl series, White Lam Bowl, Chapman Bowl, Bushnell Bowl, Lakefront Bowl, Fusion Bowl, Cape Henry Bowl, Cape Charles Bowl, Isthmus Bowl, Forever Lawn Bowl, and Extra Points Bowl.
Bowl games are the heart of college football, filled with thrilling matchups and rich traditions. The CFP expansion adds new bowls and locations, increasing the excitement. Teams and players have excellent opportunities to shine and make history.
Bowl Eligibility
| Number of Bowl games eligible teams -82
|
| Number of Bowl games- ineligible teams-52
|
2024-25 Bowl-eligible teams
| Conference | Eligible | Teams
|
| AAC | 7 | Army, East Carolina, Memphis, Navy, South Florida, Tulane, UTSA
|
| ACC | 10 | Boston College, Cal, Clemson, Duke, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Miami, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, SMU, Syracuse |
| Big 12 | 9 | Arizona State, Baylor, BYU, Colorado, Iowa State, Kansas State, TCU. Texas Tech, West Virginia |
| Big Ten | 12 | Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Rutgers, USC, Washington
|
| C-USA | 4 | Jacksonville State, Liberty, Sam Houston, Western Kentucky
|
| Indp. | 2 | Notre Dame, UConn
|
| MAC | 6 | Bowling Green, Buffalo, Miami-Ohio, Northern Illinois, Ohio, Toledo
|
| MWC | 5 | Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Jose State, UNLV
|
| Pac-12 | 7 | Washington State
|
| SEC | 13 | Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Missouri, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt |
| Sun Belt | 7 | Arkansas State, Georgia Southern, James Madison, Louisiana, Marshall, South Alabama, Texas State |
Try Again Next Year
These teams can’t become bowl-eligible due to their current win totals and remaining games on their schedules.
| Teams
| Teams |
| Air Force | Mississippi State |
| Akron | Nevada |
| Arizona | New Mexico State |
| Ball State | Northwestern |
| Central Michigan | Oklahoma State |
| Charlotte | Old Dominion |
| Florida Atlantic | Purdue |
| Florida International | Rice |
| Florida State | San Diego State |
| Georgia State | Southern Miss |
| Hawaii | Stanford |
| Houston | Temple |
| Kennesaw State | Troy |
| Kent State | Tulsa |
| Kentucky | UAB |
| Louisiana Tech | UCF |
| Maryland | UCLA |
| Middle Tennessee | UMass |
| Utah | Utah State |
| UTEP | Wake Forest |
| Wyoming | – |
Format of NCAA football bowl games
Bowl games are postseason matchups in college football featuring teams from various conferences. These games are often tied to specific conferences through contractual agreements, ensuring exciting and competitive matchups.
The NCAA football bowl 2024–25 season, a highly anticipated and thrilling event, kicks off on December 14, 2024, and culminates with the College Football Playoff National Championship on January 20, 2025, followed by all-star games. Teams are selected based on their regular season performance, with a minimum of six wins. The CFP selection committee ranks the top 25 teams, and the top 12 compete for the national championship. For the NCAA football bowl games, the 2024–25 season expands the playoffs to twelve teams. The top five conference champions and seven highest-ranked teams compete. The top four conference champions collect a first-round bye. On campus sites, first-round games are on December 20-21, 2024. Quarterfinals are at the Fiesta, Peach, Rose, and Sugar Bowls on December 31, 2024, and January 1, 2025. The semifinals at the Orange and Cotton Bowls are on January 9-10, 2025. The championship game is on January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
All-Star games
The East-West Shrine Bowl is transferred from Frisco, Texas, to Arlington, Texas.
| Date | Time (EST) | Bowl Game | Site | Television | Teams |
|
January 11, 2025 | Noon | Hula Bowl | FBC Mortgage Stadium Orlando, Florida | CBS Sports Network | Team Kai Team Aina |
| January 18, 2025 | Noon | Tropical Bowl | Municipal Stadium Daytona Beach, Florida | Varsity Sports Network | American Team National Team |
| January 30, 2025 | 8:00 pm | East–West Shrine Bowl | AT&T Stadium Arlington, Texas | NFL Network | West Team East Team |
| February 1, 2025 | 1:30 pm | Senior Bowl | Hancock Whitney Stadium Mobile, Alabama | NFL Network | National Team American Team |
| February 22, 2025 | 4:00 pm | HBCU Legacy Bowl | Yulman Stadium NewOrleans, Louisiana | NFL Network | Team Robinson Team Gaither |
NCAA Football Bowl Games Schedule 2024-25
| Date | Bowl Game | Teams | Affiliations
| TV | |
| December 14, 2024 | Salute to Veterans Bowl | Western Michigan Broncos vs South Alabama Jaguars | MAC Sun Belt | ESPN | |
| December 17, 2024 | Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl | West Virginia Mountaineers vs No. 25 Memphis Tigers | Big 12 American | ESPN | |
| December 18, 2024 | Boca Raton Bowl | James Madison Dukes vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers | Sun Belt CUSA | ESPN | |
| December 18, 2024 | LA Bowl hosted by Gronk | California Golden Bears vs No. 24 UNLV Rebels | ACC† MW | ESPN | |
| December 19, 2024 | R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl | Sam Houston Bearkats vs Georgia Southern Eagles | CUSA Sun Belt | ESPN2 | |
| December 20, 2024 | Staffdna Cure Bowl | Ohio Bobcats vs Jacksonville State Gamecocks | MAC CUSA | ESPN | |
| December 20, 2024 | Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl | Florida Gators vs Tulane Green Wave | SEC American | ESPN | |
| December 23, 2024 | Myrtle Beach Bowl | Coastal Carolina Chanticleers vs UTSA Roadrunners | Sun Belt American | ESPN | |
| December 23, 2024 | Famous Idaho Potato Bowl | Northern Illinois Huskies vs Fresno State Bulldogs | MAC MW | ESPN | |
| December 24, 2024 | Hawaii Bowl | San Jose State Spartans vs South Florida Bulls | MW American | ESPN | |
| December 26, 2024 | Game Above Sports Bowl | Pittsburgh vs Panthers Toledo Rockets | ACC MAC | ESPN | |
| December 26, 2024 | Guaranteed Rate Bowl | Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Kansas State Wildcats | Big Ten Big 12 | ESPN | |
| December 26, 2024 | 68 Ventures Bowl | Arkansas State Red Wolves vs Bowling Green Falcons |
| ESPN | |
| December 27, 2024 | Lockhead Martin Armed Forces Bowl | Navy Midshipmen vs Oklahoma Sooners | American SEC | ESPN | |
| December 27, 2024 | Birmingham Bowl | Vanderbilt Commodores vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets | SEC ACC | ESPN | |
| December 27, 2024 | Autozone Liberty Bowl | Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Arkansas Razorbacks | Big 12 SEC | ESPN | |
| December 27, 2024 | Direc TV Holiday Bowl | Washington State Cougars vs No. 21 Syracuse Orange | Pac-12 ACC | Fox | |
| December 27, 2024
| SDS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl | USC Trojans vs Texas A&M Aggies | Big Ten† SEC | ESPN | |
| December 28, 2024
| Wasabi Fenway Bowl | UConn Huskies vs North Carolina Tar Heels | Independent ACC | ESPN | |
| December 28, 2024
| Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl | Boston College Eagles vs Nebraska Cornhuskers | ACC Big Ten | ABC | |
| December 28, 2024
| Isleta New Mexico Bowl | TCU Horned Frogs vs Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns | Big 12 Sun Belt | ESPN | |
| December 28, 2024
| Pop-Tarts Bowl | No. 13 Miami (FL) Hurricanes vs No. 18 Iowa State Cyclones | ACC Big 12 | ABC | |
| December 28, 2024
| Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl | Colorado State Rams vs Miami (OH) RedHawks | MW MAC | CW | |
| December 28, 2024
| Go Bowling Military Bowl | NC State Wolfpack vs East Carolina Pirates | ACC American | ESPN | |
| December 28, 2024
| Valero Alamo Bowl | No. 23 Colorado Buffaloes vs No. 17 BYU Cougars | Big 12† Big 12 | ABC | |
| December 28, 2024
| Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl | No. 22 Army Black Knights vs Marshall Thundering Herd | American Sun Belt | ESPN | |
| December 30, 2024
| TransPerfect Music City Bowl | No. 19 Missouri Tigers vs Iowa Hawkeyes | SEC Big Ten | ESPN | |
| December 31, 2024
| ReliaQuest Bowl | Michigan Wolverines vs No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide | Big Ten SEC | CBS | |
| December 31, 2024
| Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl | Louisville Cardinals vs Washington Huskies | ACC Big Ten† | CBS | |
| December 31, 2024
| Cheez-it Citrus Bowl | No. 15 South Carolina Gamecocks No. 20 Illinois Fighting Illini | SEC Big Ten | ABC | |
| December 31, 2024
| Texas Bowl | Baylor Bears vs LSU Tigers | Big 12 SEC | ESPN | |
| January 2, 2024
| Taxslayer Gator Bowl | Duke Blue Devils vs No. 14 Ole Miss Rebels | ACC SEC | ESPN | |
| January 3, 2024
| Servo First Responder Bowl | North Texas vs Texas State Bobcats | American Sun Belt | ESPN | |
| January 3, 2024
| Duke’s Mayo Bowl | Virginia Tech Hokies vs Minnesota Golden Gophers | ACC Big Ten | ESPN | |
| January 4, 2024
| Bahamas Bowl | Buffalo Bulls Liberty Flames | MAC CUSA | ESPN2 |
NCAA Football Bowl Games Play-off Schedule
| DATE | BOWL | MATCHUP | TV
|
| December 20, 2024 | First-Round CFP game | No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame
| ESPN |
| December 21, 2024 | First-Round CFP game
| No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State
| TNT |
| December 21, 2024 | First-Round CFP game
| No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas
| TNT |
| December 21, 2024 | First-Round CFP game
| No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State
| ESPN |
| December 31, 2024 | Vrbo Fiestaa Bowl (quarterfinal) | TBD | ESPN |
| January 01, 2024 | Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (quarterfinal) | TBD | ESPN |
| January 01, 2024 | Rose Bowl Game (quarterfinal) | TBD
| ESPN |
| January 01, 2024 | All state Sugar Bowl (quarterfinal) | TBD | ESPN |
| January 09, 2024 | Capital One Orange Bowl (semi-final) | TBD
| ESPN |
| January 10, 2024 | Cotton Bowl Classic (semi-final) | TBD | ESPN |
| January 20, 2024 | CFP National Championship | TBD | ESPN |
Where can I watch the NCAA football bowl games?
In Germany, watch the NCAA football bowl games 2024-25 on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and TNT Sports. They are also streamed on ESPN+, Fubo, and Paramount+.
Watch the NCAA football bowl games 2024-25 season from anywhere on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and TNT Sports. Stream them on ESPN+, Fubo, and Paramount+. Wherever you are, get ready for non-stop football excitement!
Fierce Competition for NCAA football bowl games National Champions
Several teams are vying for the coveted College Football Championships, delivering memorable performances throughout the season. Despite the tough competition, a few standout teams will surely grab the NCAA football bowl games national championships.
| Rank | Team | Conference | Bowl Game
|
| 1 | Oregon Ducks | Big Ten champions | Rose Bowl (CFP quarterfinal) |
| 2 | Georgia Bulldogs | SEC champions | Sugar Bowl (CFP quarterfinal) |
| 3 | Texas Longhorns | SEC first place | CFP first-round game |
| 4 | Penn State Nittany Lions | Big Ten second place | CFP first-round game |
| 5 | Notre Dame Fighting Irish | Independent | CFP first-round game |
| 6 | Ohio State Buckeyes | Big Ten fourth place | CFP first-round game |
| 7 | Tennessee Volunteers | SEC second place | CFP first-round game |
| 8 | Indiana Hoosiers | Big Ten second place | CFP first-round game |
| 9 | Boise State Broncos | Mountain West champions | Fiesta Bowl (CFP quarterfinal) |
| 10 | SMU Mustangs | ACC first place | CFP first-round game |
| 11 | Alabama Crimson Tide | SEC fourth place | Relia Quest Bowl |
| 12 | Arizona State Sun Devils | Big 12 champions | Peach Bowl (CFP quarterfinal) |
| 13 | Miami Hurricanes | ACC third place | Pop-Tarts Bowl |
| 14 | Ole Miss Rebels | SEC fourth place | Gator Bowl |
| 15 | South Carolina Gamecocks | SEC fourth place | Citrus Bowl |
| 16 | Clemson Tigers | ACC champions | CFP first-round game |
| 17 | BYU Cougars | Big 12 first place | Alamo Bowl |
| 18 | Lowa State Cyclones | Big 12 first place | Pop-Tarts Bowl |
| 19 | Missouri Tigers | SEC fourth place | Music City Bowl |
| 20 | Illinois Fighting IIIini | Big Ten fifth place | Citrus Bowl |
| 21 | Syracuse Orange | ACC fourth place | Holiday Bowl |
| 22 | Army Black Knights | AAC champions | Independence Bowl |
| 23 | Colorado Buffaloes | Big 12 first place | Alamo Bowl |
| 24 | UNLV Rebels | Mountain West second place | LA Bowl |
| 25 | Memphis Tigers | AAC third place | Frisco Bowl |
Oregon Ducks
The Oregon Ducks are having a standout season, led by a talented quarterback and an experienced offensive line. Their senior-laden defense, with key contributors, has played a crucial role in their success. The Ducks secured the No. 1 seed in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff bracket, maintaining a perfect 13-0 season. However, they face challenges, including key injuries on the offensive line. The competition is tough, with strong teams like Ohio State and Tennessee in the playoffs. Despite these obstacles, the Ducks’ resilience and determination are truly inspiring. They are determined to overcome these challenges and secure the NCAA football bowl games championship, giving hope to their fans and admirers.
Georgia Bulldogs
The Georgia Bulldogs are led by experienced quarterback Carson Beck and running back Trevor Etienne. They are known for their formidable defense, even with some key players moving to the NFL. The Bulldogs secured a top spot in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff bracket and maintained a strong record, showcasing their ability to win crucial games. However, they face challenges with key losses on both the offensive line and defense. They will also be up against opponents like Alabama, Texas, and Ole Miss. The pressure to perform and live up to their previous championship titles is significant. Nonetheless, the Bulldogs are well-positioned for another successful season but must navigate these challenges to secure the NCAA football bowl games championship.
