New Year's Day College Football Bowl Games Schedule and TV Info

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New Year’s Day and college football just go together. The 2026 bowl schedule is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in years.

Three College Football Playoff (CFP) quarterfinals headline the day. Fans are in for a wild ride.

The tradition of January 1st bowl games lives on, and ESPN’s got every game covered. From the first kickoff until late at night, it’s wall-to-wall football.

These matchups will help decide who gets a shot at the National Championship. Let’s see what’s on tap for the big day.

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New Year’s Day Bowl Game Schedule

The New Year’s Day lineup is stacked from noon to night. Here’s what’s coming up:

Oregon vs. Texas Tech

No. 5 Oregon faces No. 4 Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl. The action starts at 12 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.

Both teams have had strong seasons, and this one could turn into a shootout. Offenses on both sides are loaded, so expect fireworks early.

Alabama vs. Indiana

Next, the Rose Bowl brings together No. 9 Alabama and No. 1 Indiana. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. Eastern, also on ESPN.

Indiana’s season has been nothing short of remarkable, landing them at the top. Alabama, as always, wants to show they’re still the team to beat. This one’s hard to miss if you love college football.

Georgia vs. Ole Miss

The day wraps up with No. 6 Ole Miss against No. 3 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. This one starts at 8 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.

It’s an SEC clash with plenty at stake. Both teams have tough defenses but can put up points in a hurry. There’s even a chance Georgia quarterback Carson Beck could face his old squad, Miami, down the line—how’s that for drama?

January 2 Bowl Games

Just because it’s January 2 doesn’t mean the fun stops. Four more games are lined up, and they’re worth a look:

Rice vs. Texas State: 1 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. Both sides want to finish their seasons with something to celebrate.
Navy vs. Cincinnati: 4:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. Navy’s triple-option is always tricky, and Cincinnati’s defense will have its hands full.
Arizona vs. SMU: 8 p.m. Eastern on FOX. If you like offense, this one should deliver. Both teams can score in bunches.
Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State: 8 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. Two gritty teams, both with solid defenses—could be a slugfest.

Looking Ahead: College Football Playoff Semifinals and National Championship

After the New Year’s games, there’s a bit of a wait before the next round. The semifinals pick up on January 8 and 9, and then it all leads to the National Championship on January 19.

Fiesta Bowl: Miami vs. Ole Miss, January 8 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. Miami stunned Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl to get here. That was something.
Peach Bowl: Oregon vs. Indiana, January 9 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. Two explosive offenses—honestly, it could go either way.
National Championship: January 19 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. Whoever survives the Fiesta and Peach Bowls gets the spotlight.

Key Players to Watch

With so much talent on the field, a few names stand out:

Carson Beck: If Georgia gets past Ole Miss, Beck might get a shot at his old team, Miami. That’s a storyline you can’t script.
Oregon’s Offense: Their quarterback and receivers have been lighting it up all season. Texas Tech’s defense will have their work cut out for them.
Indiana’s Defense: They’ve been rock-solid, but Alabama’s offense is a different kind of challenge. Can they hold up? We’ll see.

Conclusion

The 2026 New Year’s Day bowl games are shaping up to be unforgettable. Early afternoon kicks off the action, and the energy just keeps ramping up as the day goes on.

Fans can expect high-stakes matchups and a few surprises—because, honestly, when does college football ever go as planned? The College Football Playoff brings even more drama, all leading up to the National Championship on January 19.

If you’re planning to watch, ESPN’s got all the coverage you’ll need. Settle in, grab some snacks, and enjoy one of the best days in college football.

For more details on the schedule and matchups, check out Heavy.com.

Joe Hughes is the founder of CollegeNetWorth.com, a comprehensive resource on college athletes' earnings potential in the NIL era. Combining his passion for sports with expertise in collegiate athletics, Joe provides valuable insights for athletes, fans, and institutions navigating this new landscape.

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