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LifestyleFootball

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

By
Chris Morris
Chris Morris
Former Contributing Writer
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By
Chris Morris
Chris Morris
Former Contributing Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
December 30, 2024, 9:00 AM ET
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 Bowl – Alabama vs. Michigan, 12:00 p.m. ET on ESPN

Sun Bowl – Louisiana vs. Washington, 2:00 p.m. ET on CBS

Citrus Bowl – South 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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About the Author
By 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.

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