The 2026 CFP National Championship is Monday, January 19, 2026 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.Twelve teams. Three rounds. Two Texas programs — Texas and Texas A&M — in serious playoff contention. Here's how to trade every step from bracket reveal to Miami.
How the 12-team CFP works
The top 4 conference champions get first-round byes and seeds 1–4. Seeds 5–12 play on campus in December; winners advance to New Year's Six bowl quarterfinals, then semifinals, then Miami. Every round has its own contract on Kalshi and Polymarket.
Where Texas & Texas A&M sit
- Texas Longhorns — Two consecutive CFP appearances; consistently priced $0.05–$0.10 for the national title on Polymarket at season start. Watch the LSU and Georgia dates for price swings.
- Texas A&M — Coach Elko's third year. Aggies typically live in the $0.02–$0.05 preseason range. See Texas A&M football 2026 odds.
Where to trade the CFP
CFTC-regulated USD contracts on the national champion, conference champions, and per-game winners. Best for a clean 1099.
Deepest longshot liquidity — best pricing on non-favorite title contenders and per-round upsets. USDC settlement.
Is betting the CFP legal in Texas?
Traditional Texas sportsbooks don't exist — DraftKings and FanDuel are illegal. But CFP contracts on Kalshi and Polymarket are legal for Texans 21+ as CFTC-regulated event contracts. Full framework: Texas sports betting: legal alternatives.