The College Football Playoff updated its identity after twelve years with the old system. The tournament determines the national champion of college football in the United States. The gold football remains the main mark, but it now has a different scale and a more practical connection to the CFP abbreviation. The new style is designed for broadcasts, stadiums, digital platforms, merchandise, and fan materials.
The previous logo resembled the event’s full name. A small gold football sat next to the long College Football Playoff wordmark. The overall look was built on sports tradition, collegiate typography, and a black background. After the update, the brand moved to the shorter CFP name. The abbreviation became the foundation of the new mark.
The gold football was preserved. It has been associated with the tournament since its early years. It is based on the idea of two gold brackets forming the silhouette of a football. In the 2026 version, the motif was strengthened. The brackets became thicker, the edges rounded, the inner opening narrowed, and the laces looked softer. The mark became denser and more closely resembled a trophy.
The metallic Championship Gold shade connects the logo with the level of a national championship. The football reads as the symbol of the season’s main goal. Its form moved closer to the CFP National Championship Trophy. Through this link, the brand brings the playoff path, the final, and the winner’s award into one system.
The large angular abbreviation works beside the football as a single block. It is easier to use on television, uniforms, merchandise, stadium applications, and large advertising surfaces. The letters recall sports markings and give the brand a tougher competitive tone.
The identity introduced the Video typeface. It became the basis for CFP communication in broadcasts and digital formats. The typeface supports the brand’s new scale. It helps the tournament stand apart from sports events that use similar collegiate cues.
The bowl game presentation was updated separately. Special CFP lockups were prepared for the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Peach Bowl, and Fiesta Bowl. They show the place of these games on the path to the national title while preserving the bowls’ names.
The update opens a new stage for the College Football Playoff ahead of the 2026 and 2027 seasons. The format includes four first-round games on campuses, with quarterfinals and semifinals rotating among the six bowl games. The season final will be played on January 25, 2027, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
The new identity preserves the tournament’s memory. The foundation still includes the gold football, the brackets, and the connection to the trophy.