When does the 2025 college football season start? Dates to mark on your calendar
Nothing says back to school like the start of college football season.
Ohio has a rich college football tradition with the reigning champion Ohio State Buckeyes, the University of Cincinnati Bearcats, Miami RedHawks and others.
So when do games begins?
Here are all the dates to mark on your calendar this fall.
When is the first college football game of 2025?
The 2025 season of college football kicks off Aug. 23 as part of Week Zero. But most Division I programs won't play until Week 1 commences the following week during Labor Day weekend.
When is college football Week 1?
Week 1 of college football season commences Aug. 28 and Aug. 29, though the most games are set for Aug. 30.
When is the Ohio State Buckeyes' first game of 2025?
The Ohio State Buckeyes face the Texas Longhorns Aug. 30 at Ohio Stadium. The standoff will broadcast on FOX.
When is the Cincinnati Bearcats' first game of 2025?
The UC Bearcats kick off the 2025 season Aug. 28 in a standoff against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at the GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The game will be available to watch on ESPN.
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When is the Miami RedHawks' first game of 2025?
The Miami University RedHawks kick off the 2025 season in an away game Aug. 28 against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. The game is airing on Big Ten Network.
When is the first round of the College Football Playoffs?
The first round of the 12th edition of the College Football Playoff arrives during the week of Dec. 20 at the home field of the higher-seeded team or a different site chosen by the higher-seeded school.
When are the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, semifinals?
Here are all the College Football Playoff quarterfinal and semifinal dates to keep on your calendar:
CFP Quarterfinals:
- Cotton Bowl: Dec. 31 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.
- Orange Bowl: Jan. 1 at noon on ESPN.
- Rose Bowl: Jan. 1 at 4 p.m. on ESPN.
- Sugar Bowl: Jan. 1 at 8 p.m. on ESPN.
CFP Semifinals:
- Fiesta Bowl: Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.
- Peach Bowl: Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.
When is the CFP national championship game?
The CFP National Championship Game is Jan. 19, 2026, in Miami, Florida. It starts at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.