College football fans are gearing up for Monday night's national championship game between Ohio State and Notre Dame in Atlanta, Georgia, but that doesn't mean it's too early to look ahead to the future.
Once a champion is crowned for the 2024-25 season, speculation will begin as to whether that team can defend the title next year. The setting for that matchup in January 2026 will be Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
The sites for the next four College Football Playoff finals after then (through 2030) will be Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (2027), Caesar's Superdome in New Orleans (2028), Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay (2029) and then Miami again (2030).
Action Network's Brett McMurphy reported Monday that the 2029 venue was originally supposed to be AT&T Stadium in Dallas but scheduling conflicts forced the late change.
Raymond James Stadium last hosted the national title game in 2017 when Clemson topped Alabama 35-31 in an all-time classic matchup.
The Tigers won the game with a last-second walk-off touchdown by wide receiver Hunter Renfrow from quarterback Deshaun Watson.
January 9, 2017: Deshaun Watson finds Hunter Renfrow for a TD with one second left to give Clemson a 35-31 win over Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship game. pic.twitter.com/YRyb5aq7r1
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) January 9, 2021
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta is hosting the big game for just the second time and the first since January 2018.
That was another thrilling championship with the Alabama Crimson Tide toppling SEC rival Georgia 26-23 in overtime on a long touchdown throw from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
#ChampionshipMoments 2017
— Pick Six Previews (@PickSixPreviews) January 20, 2025
ALABAMA 26 | GEORGIA 23
Saban made the halftime quarterback switch — Tua Tagovailoa delivered the overtime game-winner to future Heisman winner DeVonta Smithpic.twitter.com/Kna1JbuNad
Fans will be hoping another all-time classic result emerges from Monday's championship bout between the Buckeyes and Fighting Irish.
The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN, with various alternate feeds broadcasting on the network's other channels.
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