The College Football Playoff on Monday announced Glendale, Ariz., as the host site for the 2016 national championship game.
The College Football Playoff format begins next season, with two semifinal games taking place in the Rose and Sugar bowls ahead of the 2014-15 championship game in Arlington, Texas. The semifinals in 2015-16 will take place in the Orange and Cotton Bowls ahead of the title game at University of Phoenix Stadium on Jan. 11, 2016.
"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," College Football Playoff executive director Bill Hancock said. "The folks in Arizona put together an exceptional bid that really won the day with the management committee."
The Fiesta Bowl Committee submitted the successful bid for the 2016 national championship game, beating out competing bids from New Orleans, Tampa Bay and Jacksonville.
"The College Football National Championship Game represents an evolutionary milestone in the history of college football," Fiesta Bowl executive director Robert Shelton said Monday. "We have a vast volunteer base that stands ready to support this game. Arizona promises to serve as a progressive host and ensure that the event realizes its incredible potential."
The national championship will be the eighth held in Arizona. The 2011 and 2007 title games were held in Glendale, while title games in 1987, 1989, 1996, 1999 and 2003 were held at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe.
The Fiesta Bowl, along with the Chick-fil-A Bowl, will be semifinal hosts for the 2016-17 season. The 2017 national championship game will be played in Tampa, Fla.
