The Fiesta Bowl is one of the most prominent and respected postseason games in college football. Played annually in the Phoenix metropolitan area, it has evolved from a regional bowl game into a centerpiece of the national championship conversation. For decades, fans have asked a simple but important question: who plays in the Fiesta Bowl? The answer depends largely on the structure of the College Football Playoff and conference tie-ins, both of which have shaped the bowl’s modern identity.
TLDR: The Fiesta Bowl features top-ranked college football teams, often selected through the College Football Playoff (CFP) system. In certain years, it serves as a CFP semifinal game, hosting two of the nation’s highest-ranked teams competing for a national championship spot. In other years, it features elite at-large teams selected by the CFP committee. Historically, it has included powerhouse programs and conference champions from across the country.
Understanding who plays in the Fiesta Bowl requires looking at its current role in the College Football Playoff (CFP) structure, as well as its historical conference affiliations.
The Fiesta Bowl’s Role in the College Football Playoff
Since the 2014 season, the Fiesta Bowl has been part of the New Year’s Six, a group of the six most prestigious bowl games in college football. These include:
- Rose Bowl
- Sugar Bowl
- Orange Bowl
- Cotton Bowl
- Peach Bowl
- Fiesta Bowl
Every year, two of these bowls serve as CFP semifinal games on a rotating basis. When the Fiesta Bowl is selected as a semifinal host, it features:
- The No. 1, 2, 3, or 4 ranked teams in the final CFP rankings
- Two teams competing for a spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship
In these years, the matchup is determined purely by the CFP selection committee’s rankings and seeding. The highest-seeded team faces the lowest-seeded team assigned to that semifinal location, based on logistics and ranking alignment.
When the Fiesta Bowl Is Not a Semifinal
In years when the Fiesta Bowl does not serve as a semifinal, it still hosts two of the top teams in the country. However, the selection process differs slightly.
The CFP selection committee fills New Year’s Six bowls with:
- The highest-ranked conference champions
- At-large teams ranked highly in the final CFP standings
- The highest-ranked Group of Five conference champion
When not a semifinal, the Fiesta Bowl typically features elite at-large teams. These may include:
- Teams that narrowly missed the playoff
- Second-place finishers from major conferences
- Highly ranked independent programs
This format ensures that even in non-semifinal years, the Fiesta Bowl remains a matchup between nationally significant programs.
How Teams Are Selected
The College Football Playoff Selection Committee is responsible for determining who plays in the Fiesta Bowl each season. The committee evaluates teams based on several criteria:
- Win-loss record
- Strength of schedule
- Head-to-head results
- Conference championships won
- Injuries and player availability
Rankings are released weekly toward the end of the season. After conference championship games conclude in early December, the final CFP rankings determine playoff participants and New Year’s Six assignments.
When the Fiesta Bowl is a semifinal, seeds are placed accordingly. When it is not, the highest-ranked teams not assigned to other bowls are selected, while maintaining geographic and competitive balance.
Conference Tie-Ins: Past and Present
Historically, the Fiesta Bowl had specific conference tie-ins, meaning certain conferences were guaranteed participation if their champion was not selected for a higher game.
In earlier decades, the bowl became known for hosting champions from:
- Big 12 Conference
- Western Athletic Conference (WAC)
- Pac-10 (now Pac-12, though defunct in its former form)
During the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) era (1998–2013), the Fiesta Bowl frequently hosted:
- The Big 12 champion
- An at-large powerhouse
- Occasionally, the BCS National Championship Game
Today, fixed tie-ins are less rigid due to the CFP structure. Instead, selection is driven mainly by rankings and competitive positioning rather than strict conference guarantees.
Examples of Teams That Commonly Appear
Because of its prominence, the Fiesta Bowl frequently features some of college football’s most recognizable programs. In recent years, it has showcased teams from conferences such as:
- SEC (Southeastern Conference)
- Big Ten
- Big 12
- ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference)
- Notre Dame (Independent)
Programs with repeated appearances include perennial contenders such as:
- Ohio State
- Oklahoma
- Clemson
- Alabama
- Georgia
However, the bowl has also given opportunities to rising programs and unbeaten Group of Five teams to compete on a national stage.
The Highest-Ranked Group of Five Champion
An important modern feature of New Year’s Six bowls — including the Fiesta Bowl — is guaranteed access for the highest-ranked champion from the Group of Five conferences. These conferences include:
- American Athletic Conference (AAC)
- Mountain West Conference
- Sun Belt Conference
- Mid-American Conference (MAC)
- Conference USA
If such a team finishes high enough in the CFP rankings, it may be slotted into the Fiesta Bowl. This has added competitive diversity and broadened national representation.
Location and Its Influence
The Fiesta Bowl is played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, part of the greater Phoenix area. Geography can sometimes influence team placement, as the CFP committee considers:
- Travel distance for fans
- Ticket sales and attendance projections
- Fairness in seeding logistics
For example, a West Coast or Big 12 team may find the Phoenix location advantageous due to proximity.
Image not found in postmetaWhat Changes With the Expanded Playoff?
Beginning with the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff system, the selection dynamics for bowls like the Fiesta Bowl are evolving.
Under expansion:
- More teams qualify for playoff participation.
- Top seeds may receive byes into later rounds.
- New Year’s Six bowls host quarterfinal and semifinal matchups.
This means the Fiesta Bowl may now host:
- A playoff quarterfinal game
- A semifinal game (depending on rotation)
- Two top-12 playoff participants
The expansion increases both the prestige and stakes of the game, as it becomes embedded more deeply in the national championship path.
Why the Fiesta Bowl Matters
The reason the question “Who plays in the Fiesta Bowl?” carries significance is not merely about team names. It reflects national standing.
Teams that earn a spot in the Fiesta Bowl typically represent:
- One of the top programs in the country
- Conference champions or runners-up
- Programs with championship ambitions
For players, it serves as a proving ground before NFL scouts. For coaches, it is validation of a successful season. For fans, it is one of college football’s biggest stages outside the national championship itself.
Historical Significance
The Fiesta Bowl has hosted several games with national championship implications. Before the CFP era, it even decided the national title on multiple occasions. Its willingness in earlier decades to match top-ranked independents — when other bowls were bound by strict conference tie-ins — helped elevate its status.
This tradition of competitive ambition continues today under the CFP banner.
In Summary
So, who plays in the Fiesta Bowl? In the modern era, it features top-ranked college football teams selected through the College Football Playoff system. When designated as a semifinal or quarterfinal, it includes playoff contenders vying directly for a national championship berth. In other years, it showcases elite at-large teams and, often, the highest-ranked Group of Five champion.
Regardless of format, the Fiesta Bowl consistently presents a matchup between nationally relevant programs. Its participants are determined not by tradition alone, but by merit, ranking, and championship potential. As college football continues to evolve, the Fiesta Bowl remains one of its most important and prestigious stages.