The College Football Playoff National Championship continues to evolve, and the latest showdown between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Notre Dame Fighting Irish didn’t disappoint.
However, beyond the excitement of the championship’s results, two key developments are making waves: a notable dip in TV ratings and the bold decision to host the 2027 national championship in Las Vegas.
TV Ratings Drop and Las Vegas’ Big 2027 Announcement
Ohio State’s victory over Notre Dame in the CFP title game captured significant attention, with an average of 22.1 million viewers tuning in.
The matchup, featuring standout performances from Buckeyes stars Will Howard and Jeremiah Smith, peaked at 26.1 million viewers during the second quarter when the score was tied 7-7.
Despite these numbers, the championship experienced a 12.5% decline in viewership compared to the 2024 title game between Michigan and Washington, which drew an average of 25 million viewers.
The Ohio State-Notre Dame contest now ranks as the third-lowest-viewed CFP championship in its 11-year history, raising questions about what may have contributed to the decline. Was it the new playoff format? Audience fatigue? Or changing viewer habits?
Ohio State’s 34-23 victory secured the program’s ninth national championship and its second in the CFP era, breaking a 10-year title drought.
Head coach Ryan Day cemented his legacy by joining legendary figures like Paul Brown, Woody Hayes, Jim Tressel, and Urban Meyer in leading the Buckeyes to a national title.
The team’s dominance propelled them to the No. 1 spot in the final US LBM Coaches Poll, with Notre Dame finishing second.
Las Vegas To Host The 2027 Championship
Adding to the excitement of college football’s future, the CFP announced that the 2027 National Championship will be held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Set for Jan. 25, the game will mark the latest date ever for the title event.
The decision underscores Las Vegas’ growing reputation as a hub for major sporting events. CFP Executive Director Rich Clark praised the city’s ability to host such a high-profile game:
“Las Vegas has shown the world they have amazing venues and boundless energy to host an event like the College Football Playoff National Championship in spectacular fashion.”
Las Vegas will become the third city in the Pacific time zone to host the CFP National Championship, following Santa Clara (2019) and Los Angeles (2023).
The announcement came with a touch of Las Vegas magic, as the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority released a promotional video featuring renowned magician Shin Lim.
KEEP READING: List of FBS College Football National Champions by Year
Performing an illusion at the famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign, Lim revealed a message welcoming the CFP National Championship to the city.
Las Vegas has quickly established itself as a premier destination for high-profile sporting events. From hosting Super Bowl LVIII in 2024 to a growing number of major events, the city has proven it’s built for the challenge.
According to Las Vegas Bowl Executive Director John Saccenti, the city offers unmatched resources for an event of this scale:
“Our city is built for it. We have 165,000 hotel rooms. Every one of them has a massive convention space, so everybody can do their parties, and every sponsor can do their thing.”
Saccenti also emphasized Las Vegas’ convenience and accessibility:
“We have nine Las Vegas Strip properties within walking distance of the stadium. You can get nonstop flights from anywhere, and we have restaurant options galore. We can do it better than anybody.”
The 2027 championship game will follow the 2026 edition, which is set to take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
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