The 2016 College Football Playoff Championship - crowing the champion of the 2015 season - will be played at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The 2017 title game is set for Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
Beyond that? It’s all up in the air.
According to ESPN’s Brett McMurphy, MetLife Stadium will not be in the running to host a CFP title game from 2018-20. Considering the New York/New Jersey area’s luck in getting the Super Bowl one day before a massive snowstorm hit the region, it’s probably wise of the MetLife folks to not push their luck in that regard. And, let’s be honest, an outdoor title game in freezing temperatures in an area that more readily identifies with the NFL doesn’t exactly scream “collegiate environment.”
Matt Murschel of the Orlando Sentinel also reported Thursday that Orlando has pulled its name out of the running for 2018-20 in order to focus its efforts on 2021. “We want to be careful to think about what’s the best foot forward for this community in terms of hosting one and it just seems most logical that 2021 and beyond would be the right time,” Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan told the paper.
It is not known, however, if New York will seriously pursue a future title game.
Atlanta, Charlotte, Jacksonville, Miami, Minneapolis, San Antonio and Santa Clara, Calif., will bid on the 2018-20 title games, while North Texas, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, New Orleans and Pasadena remain undecided.
Sites for the 2018-20 title games are expected to be announced in late May.