When does the 2024 college football season start? (2024)

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It's never too early to prepare for the next college football season. After Michigan won last year's College Football Playoff title in thrilling fashion, the 2024 season looks to pick up where it left off with exciting action.

You can find information on when the 2024 college football season starts here. This story will be updated if games and times are changed.

When does the 2024 college football season start?

The 2024 season is set to begin onSaturday, Aug. 24in this year's "Week Zero." Most of the nation's Division I programs will start their seasons the following week.

Here are some of the games currently scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 24 inWeek Zero:

Aer Lingus College Football Classic: Florida State vs. Georgia Tech (in Dublin, Ireland) | 12 p.m. ET | ESPN
McNeese at Tarleton State | 2:30 p.m. ET| ESPN2
Montana State at New Mexico | 4 p.m. ET | FS1
FCS Kickoff:North Alabama vs. Southeast Missouri State (Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama) | 7 p.m. ET | ESPN
MEAC/SWAC Challenge:Norfolk State vs. Florida A&M (Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia) | 7:30 p.m. | ABC
SMU at Nevada | 8 p.m. ET |CBS Sports Network
Delaware State at Hawaii

The following week begins Week 1 of the 2024 college football season, with most of the games set for Saturday, Aug. 31 during Labor Day weekend. Here are some of the season-opening matchups.

Thursday, Aug. 29

North Carolina at Minnesota | 8 p.m. ET | Fox
North Dakota State at Colorado | 8 p.m. ET | ESPN
Sacramento State at San Jose State | 10 p.m. ET |truTV and Max

Friday, Aug. 30

TCU at Stanford | 10:30 p.m. ET | ESPN

Saturday, Aug. 31

College Football Playoff and New Year's Six bowl games schedule

The 2024 season is the 11th edition of the College Football Playoff, and the first in the 12-team format.

Here are the College Football Playoff dates and schedule for next season. All New Year's Six games are also included:

First round | Week of Saturday, Dec. 21
- Location: the home field of the higher-seeded team or another site designated by the higher-seeded program.
Quarterfinals
- Fiesta Bowl | Tuesday, Dec. 31
- Peach Bowl | Wednesday, Jan. 1
- Rose Bowl | Wednesday, Jan. 1
- Sugar Bowl | Wednesday, Jan. 1
Semifinals
- Orange Bowl | Thursday, Jan. 9
- Cotton Bowl | Friday, Jan. 10
CFP National Championship Game: Monday, Jan. 20, 2023 (in Atlanta, Georgia)

The title game will be played at Mercedez-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. This will mark the first time a location will host the CFP National Championship Game twice.

Michigan won the College Football Playoff National Championship during the 2023-2024 season. Here's a complete history of the CFP title game.

Year (Game Date)	Game	LOCATION
2015	No. 4 Ohio State 42, No. 2 Oregon 20	Arlington, Texas
2016	No. 2 Alabama 45, No. 1 Clemson 40	Glendale, Arizona
2017	No. 2 Clemson 35, No. 1 Alabama 31	Tampa, Florida
2018	No. 4 Alabama 26, No. 3 Georgia 23	Atlanta, Georgia
2019	No. 2 Clemson 44,No. 1 Alabama 16	Santa Clara, California
2020	No. 1 LSU 42, No. 3 Clemson 25	New Orleans, Louisiana
2021	No. 1 Alabama 52, No. 3 Ohio State 24	Miami Gardens, Florida
2022	No. 3 Georgia 33,No. 1 Alabama 18	Indianapolis, Indiana
2023	No. 1 Georgia 65, No. 3 TCU 7	Inglewood, California
2024	No. 1 Michigan 34, No. 2 Washington 13	Houston, Texas

🏆:Complete college football championship history|Schools with the most titles| Most CFP appearances

Future CFP national championship locations and dates

2025-26: Miami (Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida) - Jan. 19

First round | Week of Saturday, Dec. 20
- Location: the home field of the higher-seeded team or another site designated by the higher-seeded program.
Quarterfinal sites:
- Cotton Bowl | Wednesday, Dec. 31
- Orange Bowl | Thursday, Jan. 1
- Rose Bowl | Thursday, Jan. 1
- Sugar Bowl | Thursday, Jan. 1
Semifinal sites:
- Fiesta Bowl | Thursday, Jan. 8
- Peach Bowl | Friday, Jan. 9

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FAQs

When does the 2024 college football season start? ›

The 2024 season is set to begin on Saturday, Aug. 24 in this year's "Week Zero." Most of the nation's Division I programs will start their seasons the following week. Here are some of the games currently scheduled for Saturday, Aug.

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What month does college football start? ›

Saturday, Aug. 24 college football schedule.

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What day does CFB come out? ›

When does CFB 25 come out? The game will be available to play on Friday, July 19, but for those who preordered the deluxe version, the game can be played as early as Monday, July 15. This also goes for anyone who purchased the bundle with Madden 25 and who have EA Play early access.

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Who won the college football championship in 2024? ›

HOUSTON, Texas - The No. 1 Michigan Wolverines defeated the No. 2 Washington Huskies, 34-13, capturing the program's first national championship in the College Football Playoff era, first overall national title since 1997 and 12th in program history.

What time is Sugar Bowl 2024? ›

NEW ORLEANS (June 5, 2024) – The Allstate Sugar Bowl Football Classic will continue in its traditional New Year's Day prime time slot (7:45 p.m. Central) for the next two years as it hosts College Football Playoff Quarterfinals as part of the newly-expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.

Where is the Rose Bowl 2024? ›

The 2024 Rose Bowl (officially known as the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the 2024 Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential for sponsorship reasons) was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 2024, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, United States.

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Who will play in the national championship in 2024? ›

Michigan prevails over Washington to win 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship.

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Is NCAA 25 worth buying? ›

My biggest takeaway from playing: This is a game for everybody. If you're a hardcore gamer, there's a ton to dive into and customize. If you're just a casual player, the game can be scaled down so as to not be overbearing. Everyone can get something out of it.

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Can you play NCAA 25? ›

When can fans play EA Sports College Football 25? Those who preordered the deluxe edition of EA Sports College Football 25, bought the MVP bundle with Madden 25, or have EA Play early access will be able to play the game on Monday, July 15. The standard version will be available to play on Friday, July 19.

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What was first college football or NFL? ›

On November 6, 1869, Rutgers and Princeton played what was billed as the first college football game. However, it wasn't until the 1880s that a great rugby player from Yale, Walter Camp, pioneered rules changes that slowly transformed rugby into the new game of American Football.

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What months do you play football? ›

The National Football League (NFL) regular season begins on the weekend following the first Monday of September (i.e, the weekend following the Labor Day holiday) and ends in early January, after which that season's playoffs tournament begins.

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What is the release date of college football 25? ›

College Football 25 launches worldwide on July 19th, 2024.

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What months are American football? ›

Each NFL season since 2021 has started with a three-week preseason in August, followed by the 18-week regular season which runs from early September to early January, with each team playing 17 games and having one bye week.

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Does college football play in January? ›

Games will span Dec. 20, 2024 to Jan. 20, 2025 with the first round on Dec. 20-21, quarterfinals Dec. 31-Jan. 1, semifinals Jan. 9-10 and the CFP National Championship on Monday, January 20, 2025 in Atlanta. See below for the full schedule.