Fiesta Bowl
2026

How to Get Vrbo Fiesta Bowl 2026 Tickets

1. Check Listings Above: All available Fiesta Bowl seats from verified sellers are displayed with transparent, all-in pricing.
2. Compare Seat Locations: State Farm Stadium offers lower bowl, club level, suite, and upper deck sections. Review the seating chart for your preferred view.
3. Choose Your Tickets: Select the number of seats and confirm the section. Prices shown include every fee.
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5. Receive and Go: Tickets are delivered electronically or by the method the seller specifies — then head to Glendale for kick-off!

At a Glance: 2026 Fiesta Bowl

• Game: Vrbo Fiesta Bowl – College Football Playoff Quarterfinal
• Date: Wednesday, December 30, 2026
• Kick-off: TBD (exclusive evening window expected)
• Venue: State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, AZ 85305
• Broadcast: ESPN or TNT Sports (network to be confirmed)
• Teams: Determined by CFP Selection Committee in early December 2026
• Significance: Only CFP quarterfinal game on December 30 — standalone national broadcast

What Is the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl?

The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl is one of college football’s premier postseason events and a member of the New Year’s Six bowl rotation. Created in 1971 to provide postseason opportunities for teams in the western United States, the bowl has grown into a nationally televised spectacle that rotates between hosting CFP Quarterfinals and Semifinals. It is organized by the Fiesta Sports Foundation, a nonprofit that also oversees the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, the Fiesta Bowl Parade, and extensive community programs throughout Arizona. Vrbo became the title sponsor in 2022.

Why December 30 Matters: The Standalone Scheduling Advantage

For the 2026–27 CFP cycle, the four quarterfinal bowls are split across two dates. Three of them — the Cotton Bowl, Rose Bowl, and Peach Bowl — share New Year’s Day (January 1, 2027) in a back-to-back-to-back tripleheader. The Fiesta Bowl stands alone on Wednesday, December 30, 2026.

The date shift was prompted by a scheduling conflict: the NFL’s Thursday Night Football package occupies New Year’s Eve (December 31), and the CFP wanted to avoid competing for viewers. Rather than stack all four quarterfinals onto January 1, the Fiesta Bowl was given its own exclusive window. Fiesta Bowl CEO Erik Moses embraced the arrangement, noting that a standalone telecast ensures maximum national exposure.

For fans in the stadium, the standalone date means the entire college football world is watching one game. For the competing teams, it means an extra two days of rest before the January 14–15 semifinals compared to the January 1 quarterfinal participants.

Full 2026–27 College Football Playoff Schedule

• First Round – December 18–19, 2026: Four games at higher-seeded team’s campus (seeds 5–12)
• Fiesta Bowl Quarterfinal – December 30, 2026: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ (standalone window)
• Cotton Bowl Quarterfinal – January 1, 2027: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
• Rose Bowl Quarterfinal – January 1, 2027: Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA
• Peach Bowl Quarterfinal – January 1, 2027: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
• Orange Bowl Semifinal – January 14, 2027: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
• Sugar Bowl Semifinal – January 15, 2027: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA
• National Championship – January 25, 2027: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL

Last Time at the Fiesta Bowl: Miami’s Dramatic Semifinal Run (January 2026)

The 55th Fiesta Bowl set the bar impossibly high. On January 8, 2026, 10th-seeded Miami stunned sixth-seeded Ole Miss 31–27 in a CFP Semifinal. Quarterback Carson Beck engineered a 15-play, 75-yard drive in the final minutes, capping it with a scrambling 3-yard touchdown with just 18 seconds on the clock. It was Beck’s first rushing score since September.

Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. powered the Miami ground game with 133 yards on 22 carries, while Keyshawn Marion hauled in seven receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown. Ole Miss answered through backup quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and kicker Lucas Carneiro, whose 58-yard field goal remains one of the longest in CFP history. But Miami’s resilience proved decisive. The Hurricanes became the lowest seed ever to reach the national championship game, though they ultimately fell to Indiana 27–21 in the title game on January 19.

Legendary Fiesta Bowl Moments

Since 1971, the Fiesta Bowl has produced some of the most iconic plays in college football history. Here are seven performances that cemented the bowl’s reputation as a stage where magic happens:

1. Boise State’s “Statue of Liberty” (January 2007): The Broncos shocked seventh-ranked Oklahoma 43–42 in overtime. Running back Ian Johnson scored the winning two-point conversion on the now-legendary trick play — then proposed to his girlfriend on the field.
2. Penn State Denies Miami’s Dynasty (January 1987): Second-ranked Penn State intercepted Heisman winner Vinny Testaverde five times to upset top-ranked Miami 14–10, claiming the national championship and ending the Hurricanes’ 36-game regular-season winning streak.
3. Ohio State’s Double-OT Classic (January 2003): The Buckeyes outlasted Miami (FL) 31–24 in two overtimes to win the BCS National Championship. Ohio State’s goal-line stand in the first overtime is etched in college football lore.
4. Tennessee Crowns the BCS Era (January 1999): The Volunteers defeated Florida State 23–16 in the first-ever BCS Championship Game, hosted at the Fiesta Bowl. It was Tennessee’s first national title since 1951.
5. West Virginia Shocks Oklahoma (January 2008): Just one year after the Boise State miracle, the Mountaineers routed the Sooners 48–28 behind quarterback Pat White and running back Steve Slaton.
6. Clemson Launches a Dynasty (December 2016): The Tigers crushed Ohio State 31–0 in a CFP Semifinal — the largest shutout in playoff history — en route to their first national title since 1981.
7. Beck’s 18-Second Miracle (January 2026): Carson Beck’s scrambling touchdown with 18 seconds left gave Miami a 31–27 victory over Ole Miss and a trip to the national championship game.

Inside State Farm Stadium: Your Game-Day Guide

State Farm Stadium opened in August 2006 and has been the Fiesta Bowl’s home since January 2007. The stadium features a retractable roof that ensures comfortable conditions regardless of weather, plus a retractable natural grass field that rolls outside for sun and air between events. Located in Glendale’s Westgate Entertainment District, it sits approximately 20 minutes west of downtown Phoenix.

Stadium Quick Facts

• Standard Capacity: 63,400 (expandable to 73,000+ for marquee events)
• Address: 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, AZ 85305
• Home Team: Arizona Cardinals (NFL)
• Major Events Hosted: Super Bowl XLII (2008), Super Bowl XLIX (2015), Super Bowl LVII (2023), College Football Playoff National Championship (2016), multiple Fiesta Bowls
• Roof: Retractable — open or closed based on conditions
• Field Surface: Natural Bermuda grass on a retractable tray

Arriving at the Stadium

• From Downtown Phoenix: Head west on I-10 to Loop 101 North — roughly 20 minutes depending on traffic.
• From Scottsdale: Take Loop 101 West — approximately 30 minutes.
• From Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX): About 20 miles east of the stadium; allow 30–40 minutes with game-day traffic.
• Parking: 11,000+ spaces in stadium-adjacent lots. Pre-paid parking is strongly encouraged and lots are cashless only (credit/debit).
• Rideshare: Designated Uber/Lyft pickup and drop-off zones operate on game days.

What to Know Before You Go

• Clear Bag Policy: Only clear plastic bags (12″ × 6″ × 12″ max) or one-gallon freezer bags. Small clutch purses also permitted.
• Gates: Typically open 2–3 hours before kick-off.
• Prohibited: Outside food/beverages, weapons, umbrellas, noisemakers, large bags, drones, professional cameras.
• Security: Walk-through metal detectors at all entry gates.
• Cashless Concessions: Stadium vendors accept credit/debit and mobile payment only.

Making a Trip of It: Glendale, Scottsdale, and Beyond

A December 30 game date means you can watch the quarterfinal, then ring in the New Year the following night without leaving the Valley of the Sun. The Phoenix metro area offers plenty to fill your bowl-game itinerary:

• Westgate Entertainment District: Steps from the stadium — restaurants, breweries, and shops with a lively pre-game atmosphere.
• Old Town Scottsdale: Galleries, boutique shopping, and some of the best dining in the Southwest, plus a vibrant New Year’s Eve nightlife scene.
• Camelback Mountain and Papago Park: Popular hiking spots offering panoramic desert views, perfect for burning off game-day tailgate calories.
• Desert Botanical Garden: A world-renowned display of desert plant life near the Phoenix Zoo.
• Golf: Over 200 courses in the area, including TPC Scottsdale — home of the PGA Tour’s WM Phoenix Open.
• Grand Canyon Day Trip: A roughly 3.5-hour drive north for one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders.

Fiesta Bowl 2026: Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Fiesta Bowl in 2026?

The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl is scheduled for Wednesday, December 30, 2026. It was moved from its traditional New Year’s Eve date to avoid a scheduling conflict with the NFL’s Thursday Night Football on December 31. The Fiesta Bowl will be the only College Football Playoff game on December 30, with the other three quarterfinals taking place on January 1, 2027.

Why is the 2026 Fiesta Bowl on December 30 instead of December 31?

The NFL’s Thursday Night Football occupies December 31, 2026 (New Year’s Eve). To avoid splitting the college football audience with an NFL broadcast, the CFP moved the Fiesta Bowl one day earlier. This gives the game a standalone national broadcast window with no competing CFP or NFL games.

Where is the 2026 Fiesta Bowl played?

State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, located at 1 Cardinals Drive. The stadium is approximately 20 minutes west of downtown Phoenix and features a retractable roof and retractable natural grass field. It has hosted the Fiesta Bowl since January 2007.

Which teams are playing in the 2026 Fiesta Bowl?

The matchup will be determined by the CFP Selection Committee following the conference championship games in early December 2026. The Fiesta Bowl will host a CFP Quarterfinal, matching two of the playoff’s 12 selected teams.

What channel will the Fiesta Bowl be on?

The Fiesta Bowl is expected to air on ESPN or TNT Sports. The CFP’s media rights are shared between ESPN and TNT Sports under a sublicense agreement that took effect for the 2026–27 cycle. The specific network assignment will be confirmed closer to game day.

What are the other 2026–27 CFP Quarterfinal dates?

After the Fiesta Bowl on December 30, the remaining three quarterfinals take place on January 1, 2027: the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, the Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, and the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The two semifinals follow on January 14–15.

Where does the Fiesta Bowl winner play next?

The Fiesta Bowl winner advances to the CFP Semifinals. For the 2026–27 cycle, the semifinals are the Orange Bowl on January 14, 2027 and the Sugar Bowl on January 15, 2027. The specific semifinal pairing depends on bracket placement.

How much do Fiesta Bowl 2026 tickets cost?

Ticket prices depend on the teams selected, seat location, and market demand. CFP games generally carry premium prices due to limited availability and high stakes. All prices on our marketplace include fees, so the amount displayed is the total you pay with no hidden charges at checkout.

Is this an official Fiesta Bowl ticket outlet?

No. We are an independent ticket resale marketplace and are not affiliated with the Fiesta Sports Foundation, the College Football Playoff, State Farm Stadium, or any team. We connect fans with verified sellers offering authentic tickets at competitive market prices.

Does State Farm Stadium have a roof?

Yes. State Farm Stadium has a retractable roof that can be opened or closed depending on weather conditions. Late December in Glendale is typically mild (highs in the 60s Fahrenheit), so the roof may be open for a pleasant outdoor feel or closed for climate-controlled comfort.

What is the parking situation at State Farm Stadium?

The stadium complex has over 11,000 parking spaces. Pre-paid parking is strongly recommended as lots operate on a cashless basis (credit and debit cards only). Rideshare pickup and drop-off zones are available for those using Uber or Lyft. Expect increased traffic for a standalone nationally televised game.

What is the bag policy for the Fiesta Bowl?

State Farm Stadium follows an NFL-style clear bag policy. Approved bags include clear plastic totes no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches and one-gallon resealable freezer bags. Small clutch purses (roughly 4.5 by 6.5 inches) are also allowed. Backpacks, large purses, and non-clear bags are prohibited.

Who won the last Fiesta Bowl?

In the January 2026 Fiesta Bowl (CFP Semifinal), Miami defeated Ole Miss 31 to 27. Quarterback Carson Beck scored the game-winning touchdown on a 3-yard scramble with 18 seconds remaining, completing a 15-play, 75-yard drive. Miami went on to play in the national championship game, where they fell to Indiana 27 to 21.

Can I attend the Fiesta Bowl and celebrate New Year’s Eve in Arizona?

Absolutely. Because the game is on December 30, fans can enjoy the quarterfinal and then ring in the New Year the following evening. Scottsdale and downtown Phoenix both offer vibrant New Year’s Eve celebrations, making a Fiesta Bowl trip an ideal holiday getaway.

What is the weather like in Glendale in late December?

Late December in the Phoenix metropolitan area is mild and dry, with average daytime highs around 65 degrees Fahrenheit and lows near 45 degrees. Rain is uncommon. The retractable roof at State Farm Stadium provides a backup in case of unexpected weather, though conditions are usually ideal for outdoor events.

Stay Connected

• Fiesta Sports Foundation: fiestasportsfoundation.org
• College Football Playoff: collegefootballplayoff.com
• Fiesta Bowl on X: @vrbofiestabowl
• Fiesta Bowl on Instagram: @vrbofiestabowl
• Fiesta Bowl on Facebook: Fiesta Bowl
• State Farm Stadium: statefarmstadium.com

Be There for the Fiesta Bowl’s Standalone Moment

From Boise State’s “Statue of Liberty” to Carson Beck’s 18-second miracle, the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl has a way of producing games that define entire seasons. On December 30, 2026, it will once again command the national stage — this time with no other CFP competition on the schedule. Secure your tickets through our trusted resale marketplace, where every price includes all fees and every purchase comes with buyer protection. The desert is calling.