The College Football National Championship is the season's biggest game for NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams. The college football season culminates with the National Championship which determines the winner and the top team of that season.
To reach the championship, teams must navigate a challenging path through the regular season, conference championships, and the College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinals. The top four teams, chosen by the College Football Playoff Selection Committee, compete for the chance to play in the title game. This playoff format, introduced in 2014, replaced the old Bowl Championship Series (BCS) system. The winner of the final championship game receives the Championship Trophy.
College Football National Championship Trophy weight
The College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy weighs 50 pounds (23 kg). It stands 26.5 inches (67 cm) tall and is designed to resemble a football, tapering to a flattened full-size football at the top.
The College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy is awarded to the winner of the College Football Playoff (CFP), the postseason tournament that determines the national champion of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The trophy was first awarded in 2014 and is crafted from 24-karat gold, bronze, and stainless steel. The football at the top of the trophy has four laces, representing the four teams competing in the playoffs. The trophy is separate from its 12-inch-tall bronze base, which weighs 30 pounds (13.61 kg). This allows the trophy to be hoisted independently. The base is finished in black patina and is sponsored by Dr. Pepper.
College Football National Championship Trophy Winners
The Ohio State Buckeyes won the first College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy in 2014, defeating the Oregon Ducks 42-20. This historic game, held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, marked the inaugural championship under the new College Football Playoff system.
Ohio State's victory was led by coach Urban Meyer and a standout performance from running back Ezekiel Elliott, who rushed for 246 yards and four touchdowns. Since 2014, the trophy has been awarded annually. As of 2023, Alabama has won the most championship trophies, with three titles in the years 2015, 2017, and 2020. Clemson follows with two championships.
| Season | Winner | Championship game | Game location |
| 2014 | Ohio State | Ohio State 42, Oregon 20 | AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas |
| 2015 | Alabama | Alabama 45, Clemson 40 | University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona |
| 2016 | Clemson | Clemson 35, Alabama 31 | Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida |
| 2017 | Alabama | Alabama 26, Georgia 23 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia |
| 2018 | Clemson | Clemson 44, Alabama 16 | Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California |
| 2019 | LSU | LSU 42, Clemson 25 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana |
| 2020 | Alabama | Alabama 52, Ohio State 24 | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida |
| 2021 | Georgia | Georgia 33, Alabama 18 | Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana |
| 2022 | Georgia | Georgia 65, TCU 7 | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California |
| 2023 | Michigan | Michigan 34, Washington 13 | NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas |
FAQs on CFB national championship
A. The College Football Playoff system started in 2014, replacing the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) format.
A. Four teams compete in the College Football Playoff semifinals to earn a spot in the championship game.
A. The champion is decided by the winner of the final game between the two semifinal winners.
A. The trophy stands 26.5 inches (67 cm) tall.
