Arizona, Tampa Bay named college football title sites for 2016, 2017

College Football Playoff’s first three title sites are now set with Monday’s announcement that Arizona and Tampa Bay have earned bids to host the national championship games of 2016 and 2017.

The Arizona title game of 2016 will be played at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Arizona beat out Jacksonville, New Orleans and Tampa Bay for the bid.

Tampa Bay’s Raymond James Stadium will host the 2017 game after earning the bid over Levi Stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area, Jacksonville, Minneapolis, San Antonio and South Florida.

“Arizona has proven itself to be one of the greatest settings for premiere college football events, and has become a favored destination for fans from around the country,” CFP Executive Director Bill Hancock said. “The folks in Arizona put together an exceptional bid that really won the day with the management committee. Likewise, Tampa Bay is a terrific destination with a beautiful stadium and a community that is committed to hosting big events in a gracious and thorough manner. We are very happy with the facilities, the creative proposal and the commitment of support from community leaders.”

The four-team College Football Playoff begins next year with semifinal games at the Rose and Sugar bowls leading to the first title game on Jan. 12, 2015, at AT&T; Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

In 2016, the Orange and Cotton bowls will host semifinal games leading to the championship in Arizona on Jan. 11.

In 2017, the Chick-fil-A and Fiesta bowls will host the semifinals leading to the title game in Tampa Bay on Jan. 9.

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