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Tampa Bay is getting another shot at college football’s biggest game. The CFP Management Committee announced Wednesday that Raymond James Stadium will host the 2029 National Championship Game on Monday, Jan. 22, following the 2028 season.
This marks Tampa’s second time in the championship spotlight during the playoff era. The city previously hosted one of the most thrilling title games in recent memory — Clemson’s last-second victory over Alabama to cap the 2016 season when Deshaun Watson found Hunter Renfrow for the winning touchdown with just one second remaining.
CFP Executive Director Bill Clark praised the selection in a statement: “We are excited to bring the College Football Playoff National Championship back to Tampa Bay in 2029. The city has established itself as an exceptional host for world-class sporting events, and its vibrant downtown, beautiful waterfront and proven commitment to excellence make it an ideal setting for college football’s greatest night. We look forward to partnering with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission and local leaders to deliver a national championship experience worthy of college football’s biggest stage.”
With this announcement, Tampa joins an elite group.
Only three other cities have earned multiple CFP championship games — Atlanta (2018, 2025), New Orleans (2020, 2028), and South Florida, which will host this season’s title game on Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Las Vegas is on deck for the 2027 championship at Allegiant Stadium.
Future College Football Playoff Championship Sites
| Year | Location | Stadium | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | South Florida | Hard Rock Stadium | Jan. 19 |
| 2027 | Las Vegas | Allegiant Stadium | Jan. 25 |
| 2028 | New Orleans | Caesars Superdome | Jan. 24 |
| 2029 | Tampa Bay | Raymond James Stadium | Jan. 22 |
Raymond James Stadium isn’t just a college football venue — it’s a proven big-game host. The stadium has welcomed three Super Bowls (2001, 2009, and 2021) and regularly hosts the Gasparilla Bowl and ReliaQuest Bowl. It’s also home to Tom Brady’s former team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The selection continues the CFP’s pattern of returning to cities that have successfully hosted the event before. While Atlanta will get its second championship game next year, fans will have to wait until 2029 to see if Tampa can produce another instant classic like the Watson-to-Renfrow connection that stunned the Crimson Tide in 2017.
By the time Tampa hosts again, the expanded 12-team playoff format will be well-established — potentially creating even more drama for the championship finale on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
