College football's biggest game is finally here.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
The college football season comes down to one final game on Monday night, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most compelling championship matchups in recent memory. The No. 1 seed Indiana Hoosiers face the No. 10 seed Miami Hurricanes in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Indiana enters undefeated at 15-0 and seeking its first-ever national title, while Miami looks to win its sixth championship and first since 2001 in front of a home crowd.
How to Watch the College Football Playoff National Championship 2026 at a Glance
- Streaming Options: DirecTV Stream, Fubo, Sling TV, and Hulu + Live TV
- Channel:ESPN
- Air Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
- Air Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT
This championship game marks a historic moment for Indiana football, as the Hoosiers have never won a national title in program history. Led by Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, Indiana has dominated opponents all season long, outscoring teams by an average margin of over 30 points per game. The Hoosiers’ defense ranks second in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just over 11 points per game, while the offense has been equally impressive, ranking second in scoring offense. Indiana’s path to the championship included a dominant 38-3 victory over Alabama in the Rose Bowl and a 56-22 demolition of Oregon in the Peach Bowl.
Miami’s journey has been equally compelling. The Hurricanes started the season 5-0 before facing adversity with losses to Louisville and SMU that dropped them to No. 18 in the polls. However, Miami rallied to close the regular season with four straight wins and earned the final at-large spot in the College Football Playoff as the No. 10 seed. The Hurricanes then upset No. 7 Texas A&M and No. 6 Ole Miss to reach the championship game. This marks the first time in College Football Playoff history that a team will play for the national title in its home stadium, giving Miami a unique home-field advantage despite being designated as the visiting team.
The storylines are rich beyond the teams themselves. Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti has orchestrated one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college football history, taking a program that had never won 10 games in a season before his arrival in 2024 to the brink of a national championship. Meanwhile, Miami coach Mario Cristobal could become the first coach in the AP poll era to win a national title as both a player and coach of his alma mater. Mendoza’s homecoming adds another layer, as the Miami native and Christopher Columbus High School graduate returns to South Florida with a chance to spoil the party for his hometown team.
How to Watch the College Football Playoff National Championship 2026 on ESPN
The College Football Playoff National Championship 2026 airs on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. If you don’t have cable, you can still catch the game through streaming services that carry ESPN and offer free trials.
DirecTV Stream is our top choice, offering ESPN across all its packages with a five-day free trial. Plans start at $89.99 per month after the trial ends. Fubo is another great option for sports fans, offering a seven-day free trial with ESPN included in its Pro package for $79.99 monthly. Hulu + Live TV offers access to ESPN for $89.99 per month and sweetens the deal by bundling Disney+, Hulu’s on-demand library, and ESPN+ together. Sling TV offers ESPN in its Orange package at $45.99 per month, making it the most budget-friendly option for live sports streaming. For the full breakdown of your streaming options, keep on reading ahead.
- Best Overall Pick to Watch the CFP National Championship 2026: DirecTV Stream
- Best Flexible Pick to Watch the CFP National Championship 2026: Fubo
- Best Bundle Pick to Watch the CFP National Championship 2026: Hulu + Live TV
- Best Budget Pick to Watch the CFP National Championship 2026: Sling TVOrange
– Includes local networks and 90+ channels
We tested every streaming service offering a free trial in 2025, and DirecTV came out on top as our editor’s pick. With its free trial and massive selection of channels and local networks, it’s a great choice for watching the 2026 National Championship Game on ESPN.
– Includes local networks and 200+ channels
– Large library of shows, movies, and Hulu Originals
– 30+ channels
Where is the College Football Playoff National Championship 2026 played?
The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship takes place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The venue, which opened in 1987, seats over 65,000 fans and serves as the home of the Miami Dolphins and the Miami Hurricanes football team. Hard Rock Stadium has hosted numerous prestigious events, including six Super Bowls, the 2021 CFP National Championship, and matches during the 2024 Copa América and 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The stadium has also been selected to host seven matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the third-place match. This marks the second time Hard Rock Stadium has hosted a CFP National Championship, having previously hosted the 2021 game when Alabama defeated Ohio State 52-24.
Who is playing in the College Football Playoff National Championship 2026?
The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship features No. 1 seed Indiana Hoosiers facing No. 10 seed Miami Hurricanes. Indiana enters the game with a perfect 15-0 record after winning the Big Ten Championship for the first time since 1967 and capturing the program’s first outright conference title since 1945. The Hoosiers dominated their playoff opponents, defeating Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl and Oregon 56-22 in the Peach Bowl. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the 2025 Heisman Trophy, becoming Indiana’s first Heisman winner in program history. Miami advanced to the championship with a 13-2 record following victories over Texas A&M (10-3) and Ole Miss (31-27) in the playoffs. Led by quarterback Carson Beck, a transfer from Georgia, the Hurricanes seek their sixth national championship and first since 2001. This matchup marks a historic occasion as Miami becomes the first team in the modern College Football Playoff era to play for the national championship in its home stadium.
Who is favored to win the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship?
Indiana enters the College Football Playoff National Championship as a 7.5-point favorite over Miami, according to VegasInsider. The line has moved throughout the week, spending most of the past 10 days at Hoosiers -8.5 before dropping to -7.5 as sharp money came in on Miami. The Hoosiers hold -319 to -320 moneyline odds at most sportsbooks, while Miami sits at +260 odds. Despite Indiana being the clear favorite on paper, the betting splits reveal interesting patterns. On the spread, 74 percent of early tickets and 82 percent of early money backed Indiana at most sportsbooks. However, moneyline action shows more confidence in a Miami upset, with 68 percent of early tickets on Indiana but only 56 percent of the money, according to DraftKings. The total opened at 48.5 and has settled at 47.5, with 75 percent of early bets and 54 percent of early money on the Over. Computer models project Indiana to win, with FOX Sports’ Data Skrive model giving the Hoosiers a 76.1 percent chance to claim victory and an implied score of Indiana 27, Miami 20.
Sign up for Stylecaster's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Category: General Sports
