Fiesta Bowl 2026
Fiesta Bowl 2026 is set for Thursday, January 8, 2026, and it doubles as a College Football Playoff semifinal, so this isn’t just another nice bowl game; it’s a straight‑up ticket to the national title.
This year’s Vrbo Fiesta Bowl will feature Ole Miss vs. Miami, two programs with big fanbases and even louder fan opinions, squaring off under the lights in Arizona.
If you’re someone who plans their whole day around kickoff, this is one of those games you put in the calendar early, bolded, underlined, and maybe with three exclamation marks.
The Fiesta Bowl has quietly become one of those bowls that rarely disappoints, crazy comebacks, trick plays, weird momentum swings, the works.
And now, in just the second year of the 12‑team playoff, it sits right in the heart of the new postseason structure as a CFP semifinal, which means the stakes are higher, the crowds are louder, and tickets get snapped up by people who swore they were “just browsing” SeatGeek at 2 a.m. the night before.
What Time is the Fiesta Bowl Kickoff?
Fiesta Bowl 2026 kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, January 8, 2026 (which is 5:30 p.m. local time in Arizona).
It’s a true primetime slot, the kind of window where you can finish work, argue about takeout vs. homemade nachos, and still be on the couch before the anthem.
If you like to over‑plan your game day, here’s a simple breakdown:
- Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. CT / 5:30 p.m. MT / 4:30 p.m. PT
Because it’s a CFP semifinal, expect extended pregame coverage, on‑field warm‑ups, and about a million storylines, coaching legacies, quarterback pressure, somebody’s redemption arc, before they finally tee up the opening kickoff.
It’s the sort of night where you tell yourself, “I’ll go to bed right after the third quarter,” and then you’re still awake arguing about clock management at midnight.
Where is The Fiesta Bowl Played At?
The 2026 Fiesta Bowl will be played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the bowl’s home since 2007.
If you’ve watched a Super Bowl there, or that legendary Boise State upset from years back, you already know the vibe: retractable roof, rolling natural grass field, and a setting that somehow makes even neutral‑site games feel like events.
State Farm Stadium seats around 63,000 for football, and on a big postseason night, it turns into a wall of color, split down the middle by fan bases who have flown in from totally different corners of the country.
The Phoenix/Glendale area leans into it, too: hotels packed with team colors, fans trading predictions in lobbies, and that weird moment in the rental‑car lot where you can’t tell if someone’s from SEC country or the ACC until you see their hoodie.
When And Where Can I Watch The Fiesta Bowl?
You can watch the 2026 Fiesta Bowl live on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET, with streaming available through ESPN‑carrying services like Fubo, DirecTV Stream, and others. In other words, if you have a way to get ESPN, cable, satellite, or a modern streaming setup, you’re covered.
Most listings break it down like this:
- TV channel: ESPN (national)
- Streaming options: ESPN app, ESPN‑branded streaming via providers such as Fubo, DirecTV Stream, and similar services that carry ESPN.
Because it’s a CFP semifinal, the network treats it like a marquee event: top‑tier broadcast team, multiple camera angles, and enough pre‑ and post‑game content that you can basically turn it into an all‑evening hang.
If you’re watching at home, this is a “charge the remote, stock the fridge, maybe warn the neighbors about possible shouting” kind of night.
Disclaimer: This article is based on officially announced College Football Playoff bowl information, broadcast schedules, and venue details available at the time of publication; kickoff times, broadcast plans, and matchup details are subject to change by the CFP and ESPN.
