The longest College Football postseason on record finally comes to an end tonight when the Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the National Championship game.
Ohio State is entering the game as the heavy favorite to win the title, as they’ve been favored in every game throughout their playoff run so far; two decisive 40+ point victories in the first and second rounds of the playoff carried the Buckeyes to the Cotton Bowl, where they bested Texas 28-14. The last time the Buckeyes won the national title was 10 years ago.
If it’s been a long time coming for one of the top teams in the NCAA, it’s an even longer time coming for Notre Dame, who haven’t won a national title in 36 years. They went 14-1 this season to capture the No. 7 seed, then defeated Indiana, Georgia, and Penn State to get here.
Here’s everything you need to know about Ohio State vs. Notre Dame, from start time and channel, to how to watch for free.
Ohio State vs. Notre Dame date and time: When is the 2025 College Football National Championship game?
Kickoff at the Ohio State-Notre Dame game is set for 7:30 p.m. ET today, January 20.
What channel is the Ohio State vs. Notre Dame College Football National Championship airing on?
The Ohio State vs. Notre Dame game is airing on ESPN. If you have cable or an antenna, all you have to do is change the channel around 7:30 p.m. this afternoon.
How to watch Ohio State vs. Notre Dame for free:
If you don’t have cable, the best way to stream Ohio State vs. Notre Dame in the CFP National Championship for free is to use a live TV streaming service with a free trial.
We recommend DIRECTV Stream, which comes with a five-day free trial for new subscribers. When the trial is over, you’ll pay $86.98/month and gain access to over 90 live channels including ABC and ESPN.
fuboTV, another great live TV service for sports fans, also offers a free trial for new users. It runs for seven days, and then you’ll be able to save $5 on your first month ($74.99, $79.99/month after).
Other ways to stream Ohio State vs. Notre Dame:
While Sling TV doesn’t offer a free trial, you’ll save money on a whole month of streaming rather than just five days free. Sling TV’s Orange plan, which includes ESPN, is currently half off for your first month. Instead of $45.99, you’ll pay $23.
(Plus, if you spring for the Sling Orange + Blue plan — $33 for the first month — just one month will cover most of the rest of the NFL playoffs up to, and including, the Super Bowl.)
How to Watch Ohio State vs. Notre Dame from Anywhere:
If you are outside of the US or unable to watch the NFL in your region, consider a VPN (Virtual Private Network). Whether you’re traveling or living abroad, using a VPN allows you to stream live TV and your favorite shows and movies using your usual streaming services, without any restrictions. A VPN lets you change the IP address on your device so that you can access your favorite apps and websites whether you’re in the UK, Canada, Mexico, or anywhere in the world.
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Known for its fast and reliable server connections, NordVPN is regarded as one of the best options in the market. It has an expansive collection of servers worldwide. More importantly, it comes equipped with several privacy and security features that protect your device against malware and keep your browsing safe and anonymous.
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Where is the College Football Playoff National Championship game being played?
Ohio State and Georgia will clash on the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., marking the city’s second time hosting the national title game (the first was in 2018, when Tua Tagovailoa helped lead a comeback that secured the win for the Alabama Crimson Tide).
Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post
This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Writer/Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping and New York Post’s streaming property, Decider. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on each streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. Prior to joining Decider and New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews