College football for the 2025 season is scheduled to begin on Saturday, August 30, 2025, with early kickoff games starting as soon as Thursday, August 28. The official start marks the beginning of Week 1 of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) season, featuring major conference teams and high-profile matchups.
When Does College Football Start in 2025?
The 2025 NCAA college football season officially kicks off on August 30, 2025, with several marquee games scheduled across the country. However, the first games will be played on Thursday, August 28, continuing the tradition of opening the season with a primetime matchup, likely part of the ESPN College Football Opening Kickoff series.
Key Dates for the 2025 College Football Season
- First Games: Thursday, August 28, 2025
- Regular Season Start: Saturday, August 30, 2025
- Conference Play Begins: Early September 2025
- Championship Week: December 6–7, 2025
- New Year's Six Bowls: January 1–2, 2026
- National Championship Game: January 19, 2026
Major Conferences and Their 2025 Schedules
Each Power Five conference—now expanded to include new members—will release full schedules by early 2025. Fans can expect traditional rivalry games, cross-division matchups, and new inter-conference challenges due to realignment.
Power Five Conference Start Dates
- SEC: First game expected August 30; full slate begins Labor Day weekend
- Big Ten: Conference games begin September 6; non-conference openers August 30
- ACC: Full schedule starts August 30; ACC Network features early games
- Big 12: Kickoff weekend includes multiple ranked teams in neutral-site games
- Pac-12: Final season before dissolution; last games in November 2025
| Team | Conference | First Game Date | Opponent | Location | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Bulldogs | SEC | Aug 30, 2025 | Vanderbilt | Athens, GA | SECN |
| Ohio State Buckeyes | Big Ten | Sep 6, 2025 | Western Michigan | Columbus, OH | ABC |
| Clemson Tigers | ACC | Aug 30, 2025 | Furman | Clemson, SC | ACCN |
| Texas Longhorns | SEC | Sep 6, 2025 | TCU | Austin, TX | ESPN |
| Oregon Ducks | Big Ten | Aug 30, 2025 | Portland State | Eugene, OR | BTN |
| Alabama Crimson Tide | SEC | Sep 6, 2025 | Mississippi State | Tuscaloosa, AL | SECN |
The table above highlights early-season matchups for top-ranked programs in 2025. Notably, Georgia and Clemson open at home on August 30, while Ohio State and Texas delay their conference debuts until September 6. Broadcast distribution reflects media rights deals, with SEC and Big Ten games heavily featured on ESPN and ABC. This scheduling pattern allows networks to stagger high-audience games across weekends.
Non-Conference Openers and Neutral-Site Games
Many top teams begin the 2025 season with high-stakes non-conference matchups, often held at neutral sites to maximize exposure and revenue.
Notable Early-Season Matchups
- Florida vs. Miami (Aug 30): Camping World Stadium, Orlando – ABC broadcast
- Notre Dame vs. Tennessee (Sep 6): Nissan Stadium, Nashville – NBC
- USC vs. LSU (Aug 30): Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas – ESPN
- Oregon vs. Ohio State (Sep 13): Potential top-5 clash in Columbus
These early games serve as de facto playoff qualifiers, with the College Football Playoff committee placing increased weight on strength of schedule from Week 1.
How Realignment Impacts the 2025 Season
The 2025 season will be historic due to major conference realignment. The Pac-12 dissolves after this season, with most teams joining the Big Ten and Big 12. Meanwhile, the Big 12 expands to 16 teams, and the SEC adds Oklahoma and Texas.
Realignment Effects
- Increased Rivalries: New matchups like Texas vs. USC and Oregon vs. Ohio State become annual events
- Broadcast Revenue Growth: Expanded media deals with ESPN, Fox, and NBC boost team payouts
- Playoff Access: More conference champions gain paths to the 12-team playoff
- Scheduling Complexity: Cross-coast travel impacts player recovery and fan attendance
Frequently Asked Questions About College Football 2025
When does the 2025 college football regular season start?
The 2025 college football regular season officially begins on Saturday, August 30, 2025, with preliminary games starting on Thursday, August 28. Most teams will kick off their schedules during the weekend of August 30–September 1.
What time is the first college football game in 2025?
The first college football game of the 2025 season is expected to be played on Thursday, August 28, at approximately 7:30 PM ET, likely broadcast on ESPN. The exact time and matchup will be confirmed in spring 2025.
When is the 2025 college football national championship game?
The 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship game is scheduled for Monday, January 19, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. This concludes the 12-team playoff format introduced in 2024.
Which teams are predicted to be top contenders in 2025?
Early projections list Georgia, Ohio State, Alabama, Oregon, and Texas as top title contenders for 2025. Factors include returning starters, coaching stability, and recruiting rankings. The expanded playoff format increases opportunities for surprise teams to reach the semifinals.
How many teams will play in the 2025 college football playoff?
The 2025 College Football Playoff will feature 12 teams, up from four in previous years. The top six conference champions earn automatic bids, with the remaining six spots filled by the highest-ranked at-large teams selected by the CFP Committee.
浙公网安备
33010002000092号
浙B2-20120091-4