How to Watch CFP National Championship 2026 Live Stream Online
The College Football Playoff National Championship 2026 is just around the corner! College football fans are gearing up for an epic showdown at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
The road to Miami has been intense. The semifinals on January 8-9 will determine which two teams battle for the national title. The Fiesta Bowl features No. 6 Ole Miss taking on No. 10 Miami, while the Peach Bowl showcases No. 1 Indiana against No. 5 Oregon.
This championship game could crown a first-time CFP champion. None of the four remaining teams have won a national title since the playoff era began in 2014.
Want to stream the CFP National Championship live? This guide covers how to watch it on any device or TV from anywhere.
CFP National Championship 2026 at a glance:
| Team | TBD (Fiesta Bowl winner vs Peach Bowl winner) |
| Date | Follow the guide below Guide |
| Kick-off time | 7:30 PM ET / 4:30 PM PT |
| Location | Miami Gardens, Florida |
| Venue | Hard Rock Stadium |
| TV Network | ESPN/ESPN Deportes |
| Live Stream HD: | Follow the guide below |
| Radio | ESPN Radio |
When and Where is the National Championship 2026?
The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship takes place on Monday, January 19, 2026. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM ET at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. This marks the second time Miami hosts the CFP Championship after the 2021 game.
Hard Rock Stadium holds over 65,000 fans and features a modern roof canopy that keeps most seats shaded. The stadium previously hosted six Super Bowls and four BCS National Championship Games.
Who Will Perform at the Pre-Game and Halftime Show?
Get ready for some serious entertainment before kickoff! Global superstar Pitbull headlines the Capital One Music Stage at the Allstate Championship Tailgate on January 19, 2026. The pre-game festivities take place outside Hard Rock Stadium and run for several hours before the game.
This continues the CFP’s tradition of bringing top musical acts to championship events. Third Eye Blind headlined the Orange Bowl Quarterfinal halftime show on January 1, while DJ John Summit performed at other CFP events this season.
During halftime of the championship game, expect the marching bands from both teams to take the field. The CFP hasn’t announced any additional halftime performers yet, but those details typically come out closer to game day.
The national anthem singer will be announced about 1-2 weeks before the game. Check back for updates on who gets that honor.
What is the National Championship Game 2026 Start Time?
The game starts at 7:30 PM Eastern Time on January 19, 2026. Here’s when to tune in across the US:
• Eastern Time (ET): 7:30 PM
• Central Time (CT): 6:30 PM
• Mountain Time (MST): 5:30 PM
• Pacific Time (PT): 4:30 PM
• Alaska Time (AKST): 3:30 PM
• Hawaii Time (HST): 2:30 PM
Set your reminders early. This championship game will make history with a first-time CFP winner.
Who are the announcers for CFP National Championship 2026?
Chris Fowler handles play-by-play with Kirk Herbstreit on analysis. Holly Rowe and Molly McGrath work the sidelines. This marks the 12th CFP National Championship for Fowler and Herbstreit, who have called every title game since 2015.
How to Watch CFP National Championship 2026 in the United States
ESPN brings you the championship game with multiple viewing options through its famous Megacast. You can watch the same game in different ways based on what you want to see:
- Main broadcast on ESPN – Traditional game coverage with Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit
- Field Pass hosted by The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN2 – Pat McAfee and his crew give a fun, energetic take on the action
- Command Center feed on ESPNU – Multiple camera angles with live stats and graphics for the data nerds
- Skycast view on ESPNews – Overhead camera angle that shows the whole field like a coach’s film
- Spanish-language broadcast on ESPN Deportes – Full game coverage in Spanish
All these options show the same game at the same time. Pick the viewing style that fits you best.
On Cable
If you have cable or satellite, just tune into ESPN on channel. You can also stream through the ESPN app or WatchESPN website using your cable login credentials. This works whether you have Comcast, Spectrum, Cox, or any other cable provider.
Cable subscribers get access to all the Megacast feeds too. Just switch between ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPNews to try different viewing experiences during the game.
Without Cable
Several streaming services carry ESPN for cord-cutters. Here’s what each one offers:
ESPN Unlimited
Get direct access to all ESPN networks for $29.99 per month. No cable needed. This includes ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, SEC Network, ACC Network, and ESPN Deportes. You also get ESPN+ content and can stream on up to three devices at once.
Stream every CFP game plus thousands of other live sports events throughout the year. Works on phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV.
Special Bundle Deal (Ends January 5, 2026)
Disney+ + Hulu + ESPN Unlimited for just $29.99/month for 12 months. This saves you 44% compared to buying separately. After 12 months, the price goes to $35.99/month for the ad-supported plan.
This bundle gives you ESPN’s sports coverage plus all the movies and shows on Disney+ and Hulu. You get three services for the price of one. The offer ends January 5, so grab it before the championship game.
Fubo
Costs $84.99/month but you get the first month for $48.99. They offer a 7-day free trial with 219+ channels including ESPN, ESPN2, and other sports networks.
Fubo built its service for sports fans. You get unlimited cloud DVR to record games and watch later. Stream on up to 10 devices at home or three outside your home network. The 7-day trial is the longest among streaming services.
DirecTV Stream
Runs $89.99/month with the first month at $49.99. You get a 5-day free trial plus Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited included at no extra cost with the Signature tier.
DirecTV Stream offers unlimited DVR storage and lets you stream on unlimited devices at home. The bundle with Disney+ and Hulu makes this a strong value if you want everything in one package.
Sling TV
The cheapest option at $45.99/month for the Orange plan. No free trial but they offer a $4.99 day pass if you just want the championship game.
Sling Orange includes ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3. You can stream on one device at a time with Orange, or upgrade to Orange + Blue for $60.99/month to stream on up to four devices. The day pass works perfect if you only want to watch this one game.
YouTube TV
Costs $72.99/month with a 5-day free trial. You get 100+ channels with unlimited DVR storage that keeps recordings for nine months.
YouTube TV has a clean interface that’s easy to use. Stream on up to three devices at once. The unlimited DVR lets you record the game and all the pre-game and post-game shows without worrying about storage limits.
Hulu + Live TV
Priced at $89.99/month with a 3-day free trial. Includes the full Hulu library plus 95+ live channels including ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and more.
You get live sports and the entire Hulu on-demand library in one subscription. Unlimited DVR comes standard. Stream on two devices at once, or pay extra for unlimited streams at home.
| Service | Free Trial | Monthly Cost | Channels | DVR | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN Unlimited | None | $29.99 | ESPN networks only | N/A | ESPN fans only |
| Disney+ Bundle | None | $29.99 (12 months) | ESPN networks + streaming | N/A | Best value deal |
| Fubo | 7 days | $84.99 | 219+ | Unlimited | Longest free trial |
| DirecTV Stream | 5 days | $89.99 | 90+ | Unlimited | Premium bundle |
| Sling TV | None ($4.99/day) | $45.99 | 30+ | 50 hours | Cheapest option |
| YouTube TV | 5 days | $72.99 | 100+ | Unlimited | Best DVR |
| Hulu + Live TV | 3 days | $89.99 | 95+ | Unlimited | Hulu content |
All these services work on smart TVs, streaming sticks, phones, tablets, and computers. Pick the one that fits your budget and viewing habits.
Can I Watch the CFP Championship 2026 Live Stream Free?
Yes! Several streaming services offer free trials. Fubo gives you 7 days free, while DirecTV Stream and YouTube TV offer 5-day and 5-day trials respectively. Sign up before the game and you can watch for free.
Just remember to cancel before the trial ends if you don’t want to keep the subscription. Sling TV doesn’t offer a trial but you can grab their $4.99 day pass for the championship game only.
How to Live Stream National Championship Game in Canada
TSN has you covered in Canada. You can stream the game through TSN+ for $8 CAD per month or $80 per year. No cable subscription required.
Download the TSN app or visit their website to stream the championship game. TSN shows all the big sports including NFL, NBA, NHL, and college football.
How to Watch the NCAA Football Championship 2026 Online in the UK
UK fans can watch for free on DAZN. Just register an account and you get access to all CFP games at no cost.
This is a huge deal since DAZN typically charges for sports content. Create your free account before game day.
How to Watch the National Championship 2026 in Australia
Kayo Sports is your best bet in Australia. They offer a Basic plan starting at $30 AUD per month with a 7-day free trial. New users can often get the first month for just $1.
Kayo streams thousands of sports events including all college football playoff games.
How to Stream National Championship 2026 from Anywhere
Traveling during the championship game? A VPN lets you access your streaming services from anywhere in the world.
ExpressVPN is the top choice. You get fast speeds, great customer service, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. They have over 3,000 servers in 94 countries.
Connect to a server in your home country and stream the game like you never left. This works with all the streaming services mentioned above.
How to Get CFP National Championship 2026 Tickets
Tickets are available now at the College Football Playoff website and Ticketmaster. Resale sites like StubHub and SeatGeek also have tickets if official sources sell out.
Hard Rock Stadium holds over 65,000 fans. Lower level seats run $300-500 while upper level seats start around $200. Club seats and premium options cost $500-1000+.
Buy early for better seat choices and prices. Only use authorized sellers to avoid scams.
Also Check: NFL Playoffs 2026 full schedule
CFP National Championship 2026 History
This championship game will crown a first-time CFP winner. None of the four remaining teams have won a title since the playoff started in 2014.
Indiana and Oregon are both seeking their first-ever national championship. Ole Miss last won in 1960 (shared with Minnesota). Miami’s most recent title came in 2001 under the BCS system.
Hard Rock Stadium last hosted the 2021 CFP Championship when Alabama crushed Ohio State 52-24. The stadium has also held six Super Bowls and four BCS title games.
NCAA National Championship 2026 FAQ
The teams will be decided after the semifinals on January 8-9. The Fiesta Bowl winner faces the Peach Bowl winner in Miami on January 19.
The championship is the final game of the 12-team College Football Playoff. The top four teams got first-round byes. Teams played through first round, quarterfinals, and semifinals to reach the title game.
Ohio State won the 2025 CFP National Championship, beating Notre Dame 34-23 in Atlanta. The Buckeyes became the first team to win the title after playing in the first round.
Absolutely. All the streaming services work on smart TVs. Just download the app for ESPN Unlimited, Fubo, YouTube TV, or whichever service you choose.
Yes. Hard Rock Stadium hosted the 2021 CFP Championship when Alabama beat Ohio State. Miami Gardens is only the second city to host the championship twice after Atlanta.
Hard Rock Stadium has parking for nearly 27,000 cars in multiple color-coded lots around the venue. Parking passes cost $40-60 and sell separately from game tickets. You can also take Brightline rail service to Aventura Station and catch a shuttle to the stadium. Some fans park at nearby Westgate Entertainment District and walk to save money.
Yes. College football uses a unique overtime format. Each team gets the ball at the opponent’s 25-yard line. Teams alternate possessions until someone wins. Starting in the third overtime, teams must go for two-point conversions instead of kicking extra points. This format creates exciting finishes and has produced some memorable championship moments.