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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedNovember 3, 2026Miami-Dade County

ESPN Broadcasts First College Football Playoff Rankings on Election Night

Photo: WPLG Local 10 – Main Feed

ESPN is scheduled to air its first College Football Playoff rankings show on Tuesday night, overlapping with U.S. election coverage. The broadcast follows a rigid annual schedule managed by the network, which pays approximately $1.3 billion to televise the playoff.

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Why It Matters

Sports fans tuning into ESPN on election night will encounter a three-hour studio show analyzing the college football playoff bracket instead of standard programming, competing directly with major news networks covering election results.

Key Facts

  • The first College Football Playoff rankings of the season are scheduled to drop on election night.
  • The CFP releases six sets of rankings every season on a strict schedule working backward from the first Sunday in December.
  • ESPN pays around $1.3 billion to televise the playoff.
  • ESPN's broadcast includes a three-hour studio show breaking down the rankings.
  • The NBA goes dark on election night, while the NHL has scheduled 11 games for Tuesday.

Who's Mentioned

OrganizationNHL“Sports league scheduling games on election night.”OrganizationCNN“News network covering election results.”OrganizationNBA“Sports league that goes dark on election night.”OrganizationFox News“News network covering election results.”OrganizationESPN“Broadcaster of the College Football Playoff rankings and studio shows.”