Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Announces Future CFP Quarterfinal Dates

The Fiesta Bowl will host CFP quarterfinal games in 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 7:31pm

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The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona has announced the dates for the College Football Playoff quarterfinal games it will host over the next two seasons. The 2026-27 quarterfinal will be played on December 30, 2026, while the 2027-28 quarterfinal will be part of a New Year's Day tripleheader on January 1, 2028.

Why it matters

The Fiesta Bowl has long been one of college football's most prestigious bowl games, and hosting CFP quarterfinal matchups solidifies its status as a marquee postseason event. This announcement provides clarity on the future of the Fiesta Bowl's role in the College Football Playoff.

The details

The Fiesta Bowl will host CFP quarterfinal games in the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons. In 2026-27, the quarterfinal will be played on December 30, 2026. In 2027-28, the Fiesta Bowl quarterfinal will be part of a New Year's Day tripleheader of CFP action on January 1, 2028. This will be the third and fourth times the Fiesta Bowl has hosted a CFP quarterfinal game, with the first being in 2024 when Penn State beat Boise State 31-14, and this past season when Ole Miss defeated Miami.

  • The 2026-27 Fiesta Bowl CFP quarterfinal will be played on December 30, 2026.
  • The 2027-28 Fiesta Bowl CFP quarterfinal will be played on January 1, 2028 as part of a New Year's Day tripleheader.

The players

Vrbo Fiesta Bowl

A college football bowl game held annually in Glendale, Arizona and part of the College Football Playoff.

Erik Moses

The executive director and CEO of the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.

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What they’re saying

“Whether in a standalone national spotlight or as part of a traditional New Year's Day college football tripleheader, we are proud to continue delivering world-class hospitality and engaging experiences for student-athletes, fans, schools and our partners here in Arizona as a meaningful part of the College Football Playoff.”

— Erik Moses, Executive Director and CEO, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl

What’s next

The dates and bowl assignments for the 2028-31 seasons have yet to be announced by the College Football Playoff.

The takeaway

The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl's continued role as a host of College Football Playoff quarterfinal games solidifies its status as one of the premier bowl destinations in college football, providing a high-profile platform for top teams to compete for a spot in the national championship.