Big 12 Officially Announces End to Championship Game

Following the College Football Playoff’s approved expansion to a 24-team field beginning with the 2027-28 season, the Big 12 Conference has announced that the 2026 Edward Jones Big 12 Football Championship will mark the final edition of one of the Conference’s cornerstone events. Under the new CFP format, the Big 12’s automatic qualifier will be awarded to its regular-season champion.

For more than two decades, the Big 12 Football Championship has been a defining moment on the Conference calendar, bringing together the league’s best with championships, postseason opportunities and national implications on the line. This December, the Big 12 will celebrate that legacy with its 25th and final Championship Game, kicking off at 7 p.m. CT on Friday, Dec. 4 on ABC from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The final Championship will honor the teams, student-athletes, coaches and leaders who have shaped the event throughout its history. Former Big 12 commissioners will be recognized during the game, alongside video tributes celebrating Conference champions from across the decades.

This story originated as a Big 12 press release.