The college football national championship is played on a Monday for several reasons:
1. Maximizing Viewership
• Monday night has historically been a successful night for televised sports, thanks in part to the popularity of Monday Night Football in the NFL. Playing on Monday helps capitalize on established viewing habits for primetime sports events.
• Weekends are already crowded with other sports, particularly the NFL playoffs in January. A Monday night game avoids direct competition with these high-profile events.
2. Avoiding NFL Playoffs
• The NFL playoffs dominate weekends in January, and playing the championship game on Monday ensures it doesn’t compete with NFL games for viewers or media coverage.
3. Broadcasting and Scheduling Practicalities
• Holding the game on a weekday allows for a standalone primetime event that draws significant attention without competing with other major programming.
• It also gives the college football postseason, including the semifinals, more flexibility for scheduling during the preceding weeks.
4. Tradition and Consistency
• Since the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) era and into the College Football Playoff (CFP) system, the championship game has been held on Monday nights. Fans and networks are accustomed to this timing, making it a consistent tradition.
5. Logistics for Fans and Teams
• While some fans may find a weekday game inconvenient, others appreciate the opportunity to travel over the weekend and attend the game on Monday. Teams also benefit from having extra preparation days after the semifinals.
Ultimately, it’s about maximizing exposure and revenue for one of college football’s marquee events.