2020 College Football Bowl Game Schedule Announced, Here Are The 35 Games

There will be 35 bowl games for the 2020 college football season, down from 37 after the cancellation of two games because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The New Era Pinstripe Bowl and Tony the Tiger Bowl (Sun Bowl) have canceled.

The annual postseason kicks off Dec. 19 with the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl and culminates with the College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 11, 2020 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

There will be five bowl games on Dec. 31, 2020 and then five on New Year's Day, including the two CFP semifinal games at the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl. There will be four games on Jan. 2, including the Fiesta Bowl and Orange Bowl.

"We are thrilled to have the Bowl Season schedule set," Nick Carparelli, Executive Director of Bowl Season, said in a statement. "It has been an exceptionally unusual year due to the pandemic. But thanks to the flexibility and cooperation of the conferences and bowl partners, we are excited to reward student-athletes. These games will be a great way to highlight the many accomplishments of teams who have persevered through a very challenging year. Their hard work is deserving of celebration, especially this year."

The 2020 bowl season will be unlike any other. One major change this season is that, because of COVID-shortened seasons, teams will not be required to win a minimum of six games—a provision waived earlier this year by the NCAA Division I Council.

The Football Oversight Committee recommended suspending that rule for the current season due to the pandemic and the possible postponement and cancellation of regular season games.

"The sacrifice and commitment of student-athletes is always inspiring," Carparelli said. "For the vast majority of seniors who play in bowl games, it will mark the end of their journey as football players. We're so honored to provide them and their families the thrill of soaking it all in one last time."

The Bowl Season is a coalition of 44 bowl games. However, there will only be 35 bowl games as seven bowls have already announced their intentions to postpone their game, or cancel it altogether. Those bowls are: the Bahamas Bowl, the Celebration Bowl, the Fenway Bowl, the Hawai'i Bowl, the Holiday Bowl, the Quick Lane Bowl and the Redbox Bowl. The New Era Pinstripe Bowl in New York City and the Tony the Tiger Bowl (formerly known as the Sun Bowl) in El Paso have been canceled after initially stating they would play their annual games.

Here is the 2020 Bowl Schedule