CFP First Round Schedule Set: Dates, Times, TV

**College Football Playoff Unveils Inaugural 12-Team First-Round Schedule, Featuring ESPN and TNT Broadcasts**

**DALLAS, TX** – The College Football Playoff (CFP) committee has officially locked in the schedule for its expanded 12-team format’s first-round matchups, promising an action-packed December for fans. The new playoff era kicks off with four highly anticipated games spread across Thursday, December 19th, and Friday, December 20th, marking a significant shift in college football’s postseason landscape.

This year’s initial round will see games broadcast across both ESPN and TNT, a new development stemming from a sublicensing agreement between ESPN and Turner Sports to expand viewership access.

The first game of the 2024 CFP will be played on **Thursday, December 19th, at 8:00 PM ET**. This pivotal matchup will be broadcast live on **ESPN**, setting the stage for the rest of the expanded bracket.

A tripleheader of playoff action will then dominate **Friday, December 20th**. Fans can tune into **TNT** for all three contests, with games scheduled throughout the day:
* **12:00 PM ET**
* **3:30 PM ET**
* **7:00 PM ET**

The involvement of TNT marks a notable expansion of the CFP’s broadcast partners. While ESPN remains the primary home for the College Football Playoff under a new long-term deal, this sublicensing agreement allows Turner Sports to carry two first-round games in 2024 and two quarterfinal games in 2025, broadening the reach of the sport’s biggest games.

The new 12-team playoff format is a monumental change for college football, significantly increasing the number of teams with a legitimate shot at the national championship. Under this expanded structure, the top four conference champions will receive first-round byes, while seeds 5 through 12 will compete in these opening-round games. Critically, the first-round games will be hosted at the home stadiums of the higher-ranked teams, promising electric atmospheres and a new level of home-field advantage in the postseason.

The full selection show, where teams will be seeded and matchups officially announced, is expected to take place on Sunday, December 8th, following the conclusion of conference championship games. Fans are encouraged to mark their calendars for what promises to be an unforgettable start to the new College Football Playoff era.

Further details regarding quarterfinal, semifinal, and championship game dates and locations will be announced as the season progresses.