Monday, January 19, 2026
More than 100,000 local residents, plus visitors from across the country, are expected to attend fan events preceding kickoff of the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship. At a news conference today at Brownsville Middle School in Miami, plans were revealed for a “Championship Campus” experience that will transform the region into a four-day weekend celebrating college football.
“A full weekend of fun activities and events will precede Monday, January 19, 2026, when the College Football Playoff National Championship will be decided,” said Rich Clark, executive director of the CFP. “It will be an opportunity for fans of all ages to come together to sample what college football is all about, and you don’t have to have a ticket to the game to be a part of it. We’ve worked closely with the Miami Host Committee to develop fan-friendly events that thousands will enjoy come January.”
“Miami is thrilled to once again host the College Football Playoff National Championship, and we are preparing to deliver an unforgettable experience for fans from across the nation,” said Jack Seiler, Miami Host Committee Chair. “The week of events, culminating in the national championship game at the spectacular Hard Rock Stadium, will not only showcase the excitement of college football but also provide a significant boost to our local economy and community. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Miami in January 2026.”
The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship will be decided at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday, January 19, but the celebration will get started Friday, January 16, with the opening of Playoff Fan Central at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The free family-friendly interactive experience will include games, clinics, pep rallies, special guest appearances, autograph signings and exhibits celebrating college football and its history.
One of the country’s largest annual traveling music festivals, AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! will be a highlight of the CFP National Championship weekend, as the star-studded event attracts some of music’s top acts every year. Past talent has included Lil Wayne, Camila Cabello, Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz, Jack Harlow, Latto, the Jonas Brothers, Saweetie, Pitbull, Twenty One Pilots, Doja Cat, Meghan Trainor, Usher, The Chainsmokers, Darius Rucker, Flo Rida, John Mellencamp, Sting and Lenny Kravitz, among others. This year’s talent lineup and dates will be announced at a later date.
On Saturday, January 17, fans are also invited to attend Media Day within Playoff Fan Central at the Miami Beach Convention Center. A free event, Media Day will feature one-hour interview sessions with student-athletes and coaches from each of the College Football Playoff National Championship participating teams, where fans are provided with the unique opportunity to watch and listen in.
The Trophy Trot will feature races through South Beach at both the 5K and 10K distances, offering a chance for locals, as well as out-of-town fans, to take part in national championship weekend. Each Trophy Trot participant will receive a t-shirt and finisher’s medal. More information, including how to register, will be made available soon.
Sunday evening, Taste of the Championship will serve up a foodie’s delight, offering attendees the opportunity to indulge in gourmet food and drink prepared by chefs local to Miami and the community hosting the 2026 national championship game. This premium dining experience serves as a unique and elevated exploration of local cuisine on the eve of the national championship game. More information, including how to buy tickets, will be made available in the fall.
In addition to all the fan activities taking place in Miami around the national championship game, the CFP Foundation is already hard at work making an impact in classrooms across South Florida. Each year, the CFP Foundation develops a comprehensive strategy to support teachers within the local community of the CFP National Championship host. The CFP Foundation and its Extra Yard for Teachers (EYFT) platform works in partnership with local institutions of higher education, sports organizations, corporations, and nonprofits to elevate the teaching profession by supporting educators and helping improve student outcomes.
The CFP Foundation will put South Florida teachers in the spotlight throughout national championship weekend with activities aimed at honoring and empowering educators. The CFP Foundation’s signature event, the Extra Yard for Teachers Summit, is slated for Saturday, January 17, where teachers, coaches and administrators from the area come together for an inspirational and high energy event featuring guest speakers from the education, sports and entertainment sectors with a shared passion for PK-12 education and who recognize the importance teachers make on student outcomes. Past speakers and presenters have included Miguel Cardona, U.S. Secretary of Education; Condoleezza Rice, former U.S. Secretary of State; Charles Best, founder of DonorsChoose.org; Desmond Howard, ESPN college football analyst; Holly Rowe, ESPN college football sideline reporter; Jess Sims, ESPN college football sideline reporter; Carl Lewis, nine-time Olympic gold medalist, and many more. The 2026 event will offer in-person (for local educators) and virtual live and on-demand options for teachers across the country to attend the event at no cost. Registration for both the in-person event and online options will open in the coming months at CFP-Foundation.org.
The CFP Foundation and the Miami Host Committee have also announced the launch of Miami Loves Teachers, a retention and recruitment initiative created in partnership with the Education Fund and Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Miami Loves Teachers (miamilovesteachers.org) will serve as a home for the community of current and future teachers to access resources, training, job boards and information about special teacher appreciation events and offers.
Additionally, the CFP Foundation and the Miami Host Committee have committed to over 30 Extra Yard Makeovers that will refurbish innovation spaces across schools in Miami, Broward and Palm Beach counties. In total, over $3 million will be invested in the work to support teachers through the Miami Loves Teachers initiative and the Extra Yard Makeovers across South Florida.
“We are thrilled to continue our work in South Florida and support educators by building the Miami Loves Teachers community,” said Britton Banowsky, executive director of the CFP Foundation. “The CFP Foundation works closely with the organizing committee and educators every year to design a meaningful impact strategy that meets the needs of the education community.”
The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship will take place at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday, January 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will air live on ESPN.
For more information on the College Football Playoff and the 2026 CFP National Championship, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.