How to watch the 2024-2025 college bowl games for free—and without cable

By Chris MorrisFormer Contributing Writer
Chris MorrisFormer Contributing Writer

    Chris Morris is a former contributing writer at Fortune, covering everything from general business news to the video game and theme park industries.

    The Georgia Bulldogs have a shot at becoming national champions this year.
    The Georgia Bulldogs have a shot at becoming national champions this year.
    Perry McIntyre/ISI Photos/Getty Images

    We really hope you like college football, because it’s not going away anytime soon.

    This year marks the start of a new, expanded playoff format, meaning the College Football Playoff National Championship series will run through the third week of January (by which time, the NFL will already be finished with the divisional round of the playoffs).

    The first-round games took place before Christmas. The semifinals take place over New Year’s Eve and on New Year’s Day. That means fewer games than in years past, but the stakes are a lot higher.

    So as you Google the words for Auld Lang Syne or nurse a hangover from celebrating the end of 2024 a bit too vigorously, sit back, squeeze into your lucky sweatshirt, and get ready to absorb some end of year college football.

    Here’s a look at who’s playing in which bowl games in 2024 and early 2025—and some options to watch them if your current TV setup proves insufficient.

    What is the 2024-2025 college bowl schedule?

    Here’s who’s playing in the New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day games this year, as well as when to expect the semifinal and college national championship games.

    Tuesday, Dec. 31

    Reliaquest BowlAlabama vs. Michigan, 12:00 p.m. ET on ESPN

    Sun BowlLouisiana vs. Washington, 2:00 p.m. ET on CBS

    Citrus BowlSouth Carolina (15) vs. Illinois (20), 3:00 p.m. ET on ABC

    Texas Bowl  LSU vs. Baylor, 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

    Fiesta Bowl (College Football Quarterfinal) – Boise State (9) vs. TBD, 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

    Wednesday, Jan. 1

    Peach Bowl (College Football Quarterfinal) – Arizona State (12) vs. Texas, 1:00 p.m. ET on ESPN

    Rose Bowl (College Football Quarterfinal) – Oregon (1) vs. Ohio State (6), 5:00 p.m. ET on ESPN

    Thursday, Jan. 2

    Sugar Bowl (College Football Quarterfinal) – Georgia (2) vs. Notre Dame (5) , 4:00 p.m. ET on ESPN (Postponed from Jan. 1, following attack in New Orleans.)

    Thursday, Jan. 9

    Orange Bowl (College Football Playoff Semifinal Game), 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

    Friday, Jan. 10

    Cotton Bowl (College Football Playoff Semifinal Game), 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

    Monday, Jan. 20

    College Football Playoff National Championship – TBD vs. TBD, 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

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