The longest season in college football history wraps up tonight with the College Football Playoff national championship game. Atlanta will play host amid a cold spell that could bring icy temperatures and snow as far south as Florida.
The game pits two traditional powerhouses who wouldn’t have made the postseason under the old CFP format. No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 8 Ohio State both benefitted from the new 12-team playoff, with both teams shaking off shocking losses to go on runs in the new playoff.
Ryan Day is seeking his first national championship and the Buckeyes’ first title since Urban Meyer was coach in 2015. Marcus Freeman would become the first Black head coach to win the title if the Fighting Irish get their first championship since 1988.
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Here’s what to know about the national championship ship, including time, weather forecast, TV schedule and streaming info:
Who is playing in the national championship game?
The 2025 national championship game pits 13-2 Ohio State vs. 14-1 Notre Dame. The Buckeyes have come alive since losing to hated rival Michigan in the regular-season finale, winning their three playoff games by a combined score of 111-52. They plastered No. 9 Tennessee at the Horseshoe, then avenged their first loss to previously unbeaten Oregon at the Rose Bowl before holding off Texas in the Cotton Bowl.
The Fighting Irish have ridden their strong run game and dominating defense to the CFP championship game. They bested Indiana in the first round, the first ever FBS playoff game on the home team’s campus, then took down Georgia in the Sugar Bowl and won an Orange Bowl thriller against Penn State.
When is the national championship game?
Ohio State and Notre Dame kick off the CFP national championship game at 6:30 p.m. ET Monday, Jan. 20.
Watch the CFP national championship live on ESPN+
How to watch NCAA championship game
- TV channel: ABC/ESPN (alternate streams available on ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS and the rest of the ESPN family of networks)
- Live streaming: ESPN+ | Fubo
Where is CFP final played?
The national championship game is being held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. It’s the same place where Texas and Arizona State played in an instant classic Peach Bowl on New Year’s Day.
National championship weather forecast: Will it snow in Atlanta?
The game will be played indoors, but fans heading to Atlanta will have cold weather to contend with. Weather.com predicts a low of 19 degrees with mainly clear skies tonight, with winds blowing out of the north-northwest at 5-10 mph. There is a 1% chance of snow, with those chances rising to 50% by Tuesday afternoon (for those planning their trips home).
Who is favored, Ohio State or Notre Dame? CFP championship predictions
Ohio State is favored to win the national championship, according to BetMGM. Here are the odds as of Saturday:
- Spread: Ohio State (-8½)
- Over/under: 45½ points
- Money line: Ohio State -375, Notre Dame +300
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