Capital One Orange Bowl College Football Playoff Quarterfinal

The countdown is on! The Capital One Orange Bowl returns to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on New Year’s Day, Thursday, January 1, 2026, with kickoff scheduled for noon. One of the country’s most-prestigious college football bowl games, the Orange Bowl has been a Miami tradition since 1935 and a point of civic pride and celebration as fans and athletes descend on our subtropical paradise to start the New Year.

The 2026 game will be an exciting, high-stakes College Football Playoff (CFP) quarterfinal matchup featuring one of the top-four seeded teams in the CFP (an Atlantic Coast Conference team if there is one) and the winner of a first-round game. The Orange Bowl champion will advance to the CFP semifinals. The bracket will be announced on December 7, 2025.

Orange Bowl Pep Rally

To celebrate the big game with fans, the Orange Bowl typically hosts a family-friendly pep rally, among many other exciting events. Last January, the pep rally was held on game day on Lincoln Road in South Beach and featured lively performances by team bands, cheerleaders, music, food, giveaways, games and much more. Details on the 2026 event are still forthcoming.

General Tickets & Premium Experiences

While tickets are extremely limited, verified resale tickets are available via Ticketmaster. There are also a few premium experiences still available, including a variety of suites with custom catering, a dedicated attendant, in-suite TVs and parking passes.

The Nine is the ultimate premium experience. These 20-person suites are situated between the 30-yard-lines and offer the best views in the stadium, luxurious, extra-large leather seats, premium all-inclusive food and beverages, premium parking and a concierge. They also include access to the private Nine Club.

The Orange Bowl Hall of Fame

Every year, the Orange Bowl inducts legendary Orange Bowl players, coaches and other important figures into its Hall of Fame. This year’s Orange Bowl Hall of Fame class includes broadcaster and former coach Lee Corso, former Florida State University and Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher, former USC quarterback Carson Palmer and former University of Colorado defensive end Alfred Williams. They will be honored during an on-field ceremony on game day.

Getting To Hard Rock Stadium

There are a variety of transportation options to reach Hard Rock Stadium. If you’re driving from Downtown Miami, the stadium is approximately 15 miles north via I-95 and Florida’s Turnpike. Parking passes can be purchased in advance.

You can also hire a car or taxi or employ rideshare services, such as Uber and Lyft. Uber will be operating Uber Shuttle for flat-fare shared rides with dedicated routes running between Brickell and a designated area at the stadium; it will be available for pre-booking.

Additionally, Miami-Dade County’s comprehensive public transit network provides routes via Metrorail and Metrobus.

By: Shayne Benowitz | October 29, 2025