When does the 2024 college football season start? (2024)

It's never too early to prepare for the next college football season. After Michigan won last year's College Football Playoff title in thrilling fashion, the 2024 season looks to pick up where it left off with exciting action.

You can find information on when the 2024 college football season starts here. This story will be updated if games and times are changed.

When does the 2024 college football season start?

The 2024 season is set to begin onSaturday, Aug. 24in this year's "Week Zero." Most of the nation's Division I programs will start their seasons the following week.

Here are some of the games currently scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 24 inWeek Zero:

• Aer Lingus College Football Classic: Florida State vs. Georgia Tech (in Dublin, Ireland) | 12 p.m. ET | ESPN
• McNeese at Tarleton State | 2:30 p.m. ET| ESPN2
• Montana State at New Mexico | 4 p.m. ET | FS1
• FCS Kickoff:North Alabama vs. Southeast Missouri State (Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama) | 7 p.m. ET | ESPN
• MEAC/SWAC Challenge:Norfolk State vs. Florida A&M (Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia) | 7:30 p.m. | ABC
• SMU at Nevada | 8 p.m. ET |CBS Sports Network
• Delaware State at Hawaii

The following week begins Week 1 of the 2024 college football season, with most of the games set for Saturday, Aug. 31 during Labor Day weekend. Here are some of the season-opening matchups.

Thursday, Aug. 29

• North Carolina at Minnesota | 8 p.m. ET | Fox
• North Dakota State at Colorado | 8 p.m. ET | ESPN
• Sacramento State at San Jose State | 10 p.m. ET |truTV and Max

Friday, Aug. 30

• TCU at Stanford | 10:30 p.m. ET | ESPN

Saturday, Aug. 31

• Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game: Clemson vs. Georgia (Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia) | 12 p.m. ET | ABC
• Penn State at West Virginia | 12 p.m. | Fox
• South Dakota State at Oklahoma State | 2 p.m. ET | ESPN+
• Miami (FL) at Florida | 3:30 p.m. ET | ABC
• Notre Dame at Texas A&M | 7:30 p.m. ET | ABC
• Georgia State at Georgia Tech | 8 p.m. ET | ACC Network
• Texas A&M-Commerce at San Diego State | 8 p.m. ET |truTV and Max

Sunday, Sept. 1

• Orange Blossom Classic:North Carolina Central vs. Alabama State (Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida) | 3 p.m. ET | ESPN
• Vegas Kickoff Classic:LSU vs. Southern California (Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada) | 7:30 p.m. on ABC

Monday, Sept. 2

• Boston College at Florida State | 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN

MORE SCHEDULES:Here's every 2024 HBCU football homecoming and classic in the FCS

Some other early-season nonconference games to watch can be found below:

• Week 2: Saturday, September 7
  • Texas at Michigan | 12 p.m. ET | FOX
  • Arkansas at Oklahoma State | 12 p.m. ET | ABC
  • Kansas State at Tulane | 12 p.m. ET | ESPN or ESPN2
  • Pittsburgh at Cincinnati| 12 p.m. ET | ESPN or ESPN2
  • Florida A&M at Miami (FL) | 6 p.m. ET | ACC Network
  • UIW at South Dakota State | 7 p.m. ET
  • Colorado at Nebraska | 7:30 p.m. ET | NBC
  • Duke's Mayo Classic:NC State vs Tennessee (Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina) | 7:30 p.m. ET | ABC
  • Boise State at Oregon | 10 p.m. | Peaco*ck
• Week 3: Saturday, September 14
  • Alabama at Wisconsin | 12 p.m. ET | FOX
  • West Virginia at Pitt | 3:30 p.m. ET | ESPN or ESPN2

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College Football Playoff and New Year's Six bowl games schedule

The 2024 season is the 11th edition of the College Football Playoff, and the first in the 12-team format.

Here are the College Football Playoff dates and schedule for next season. All New Year's Six games are also included:

• First round | Week of Saturday, Dec. 21
  • Location: the home field of the higher-seeded team or another site designated by the higher-seeded program.
• Quarterfinals
  • Fiesta Bowl | Tuesday, Dec. 31
  • Peach Bowl | Wednesday, Jan. 1
  • Rose Bowl | Wednesday, Jan. 1
  • Sugar Bowl | Wednesday, Jan. 1
• Semifinals
  • Orange Bowl | Thursday, Jan. 9
  • Cotton Bowl | Friday, Jan. 10
• CFP National Championship Game: Monday, Jan. 20, 2023 (in Atlanta, Georgia)

The title game will be played at Mercedez-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. This will mark the first time a location will host the CFP National Championship Game twice.

Michigan won the College Football Playoff National Championship during the 2023-2024 season. Here's a complete history of the CFP title game.

🏆:Complete college football championship history|Schools with the most titles| Most CFP appearances

Future CFP national championship locations and dates

2025-26: Miami (Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida) - Jan. 19

• First round | Week of Saturday, Dec. 20
  • Location: the home field of the higher-seeded team or another site designated by the higher-seeded program.
• Quarterfinal sites:
  • Cotton Bowl | Wednesday, Dec. 31
  • Orange Bowl | Thursday, Jan. 1
  • Rose Bowl | Thursday, Jan. 1
  • Sugar Bowl | Thursday, Jan. 1
• Semifinal sites:
  • Fiesta Bowl | Thursday, Jan. 8
  • Peach Bowl | Friday, Jan. 9