The Miami Hurricanes haven’t played a home game since Nov. 15. Now, they’ll return home for the biggest game of the college football season.
The No. 10-seeded Hurricanes (13-2) will take on the unbeaten No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers (15-0) in the 2025-26 College Football Playoff national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Curt Cignetti‘s Hoosiers are looking to complete a perfect season to secure the program’s first-ever national championship. Indiana previously hadn’t won a bowl game since the 1991 season, but it’s picked up two bowl victories in this CFP — and both were one-sided affairs.
Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza and Co. returned from a first-round bye with a 38-3 Rose Bowl blowout of the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide. Then, in a Big Ten heavyweight showdown in the Peach Bowl, the Hoosiers raced out to 28-point halftime lead over the No. 5 Oregon Ducks en route to a 56-22 win. Mendoza had more passing touchdowns (5) than incompletions (3) against the Ducks while Indiana’s defense came up with three takeaways, including a pick-six on the first play of the game.
The only team standing between Indiana and a perfect championship season is Miami, which is trying to cap its debut CFP appearance with a national title triumph on its home field. The Hurricanes were awarded a controversial CFP bid, but they’ve put together quite the résumé on their path to the championship game.
Mario Cristobal‘s team first got past the No. 7 Texas A&M Aggies 10-3 on the road before stunning the defending champion No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl. Miami then punched its national title game ticket with a thrilling Fiesta Bowl victory, outlasting the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels 31-27 in a game that saw four lead changes in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Carson Beck scrambled for a game-winning touchdown inside the final 20 seconds.
So, with the matchup set, here’s a look ahead to the national title game:
When is the CFP national championship game being played?
This season’s national champion will be crowned on Monday, Jan. 19.
Where is the CFP national championship game being played?
The Hurricanes will get to play for the national championship at their home venue, as Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, is hosting the title game.
This will be the second national championship game played at Hard Rock Stadium in the CFP era, with the first in 2020-21.
What time will the CFP national championship game start?
The national title game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CT/4:30 p.m. PT.
What TV channel is the CFP national championship game on?
ESPN will air the national championship.
Where to stream the CFP national championship game live online
It will also be available to stream on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.
How many football national championships have the Indiana Hoosiers won?
The Hoosiers don’t own any national titles.
How many football national championships have the Miami Hurricanes won?
The Hurricanes own five national championships, most recently claiming a BCS championship in 2001. Miami was also an outright national champion in 1983, 1987 and 1989, while also earning a title share with Washington in 1991.
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