No one expected either of the two teams playing in tonight’s College Football National Championship game to make it this far.
Oregon and Georgia were the favorites, but both were eliminated in early January. Then, the oddsmakers said Texas and Penn State would likely make it to the final game of the NCAA Season. Nope.
So now, two teams, who were previously ranked fifth and sixth, will duke it out for the #1 spot. And while there are plenty of self-appointed experts who will gladly tell you what they expect to happen, the lesson of this season has clearly been to expect the unexpected.
If you’re planning to watch, it could come with some challenges. The game is a cable exclusive. Fortunately, there are options. Here’s a look at some alternate ways to watch the College National Championship.
What time does the College Football National Championship air?
The national championship game airs Monday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
How can I watch the 2024-2025 College Football Playoff final for free?
Unfortunately, the game will not be broadcast over the air, meaning you’ll need either a cable subscription or a streaming service to watch. Many streaming services have done away with free trials, but a few remain. See below for details.
Can I stream the College National Championship game live online if I don’t have a cable subscription?
You can. And you’ve got lots of options. If you’re not near a TV, you can log into ESPN.com or the ESPN app,
If that doesn’t work for you, here are a few methods that will let you watch the game.
Disney+
Disney’s bundle of Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ no longer has a free trial, so you’ll have to pay $17 per month for all three combined (or $30 per month for no ads on Hulu).
Including Live TV in the bundle bumps the price to $77 per month ($90 with no ads).
Hulu with Live TV
The free trial on this service lasts three days. Afterward, it will cost you $77 per month.
ESPN+
There’s no free trial, but a subscription for the sports streaming service will run you $10.99 per month.
YouTubeTV
After a free trial, you can expect monthly charges of $73.
Sling TV
Dish Network’s Sling lower-tiered “Orange” plan will run you $40 per month. Adding the more comprehensive “Blue” plan bumps the cost to $55 per month. The seven-day free trial has disappeared, unfortunately.
DirecTV Stream
Formerly known as DirecTV Now, AT&T TVNow and AT&T TV, this oft-renamed streaming service will run you $80 per month and up after the free trial option.
Fubo TV
This sports-focused cord-cutting service carries broadcast networks in most markets. There’s a seven-day free trial, followed by monthly charges of $80 and up, depending on the channels you choose.
Can I watch the College National Championship game on Amazon?
You cannot. No college bowl games, especially the national championship, are streamed via Amazon.