The Definitive Notre Dame Vs. Georgia Game Time: Why The Sugar Bowl Kickoff Was Postponed

The highly anticipated College Football Playoff Quarterfinal between the No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs has a confirmed, updated kickoff time, date, and TV channel. Originally scheduled for New Year's Day, the game was dramatically postponed due to a tragic, unprecedented event in New Orleans, making this one of the most talked-about bowl game reschedulings in recent memory. The latest information as of December 10, 2025, confirms the game has been moved.

Fans eager to know the exact Notre Dame vs. Georgia game time must note the significant change from the initial announcement. The game is no longer an evening matchup on January 1st, but a daytime affair the following day. This article provides the complete, final schedule details, the shocking reason for the change, and a look at the key players and coaches involved in this high-stakes CFP showdown.

Notre Dame vs. Georgia: Final Confirmed Game Time, Date, and Broadcast Details

The matchup between the SEC powerhouse Georgia Bulldogs and the independent Notre Dame Fighting Irish is a College Football Playoff Quarterfinal contest, played as the Allstate Sugar Bowl. This game is a crucial step in the new 12-team playoff format, and its rescheduling was a necessary adjustment to a serious, unforeseen crisis.

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The Updated Kickoff Time and Channel

The definitive, updated Notre Dame vs. Georgia game time is set for the afternoon of Thursday, January 2, 2025. This change was implemented to ensure public safety and respect for the events that transpired in the host city.

• Event: College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl
• New Date: Thursday, January 2, 2025
• New Kickoff Time (Eastern Time): 4:00 PM ET
• New Kickoff Time (Central Time): 3:00 PM CT
• Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
• TV Channel: ESPN
• Matchup: No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs

The game was originally slated for a prime-time slot on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, with a kickoff at 8:45 PM ET (7:45 PM CT). The shift to a 4:00 PM ET start on the following day marks a significant deviation from the traditional New Year's Day bowl schedule.

The Shocking Reason Behind the Postponement

The postponement of a major College Football Playoff game is extremely rare and only happens under the most dire circumstances. The change in the Notre Dame vs. Georgia game time was a direct result of a tragic event that occurred in the heart of New Orleans, Louisiana, on New Year's Day.

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New Orleans Tragedy Forces Schedule Change

The Allstate Sugar Bowl, a key fixture in the CFP schedule, was postponed just hours before its initial kickoff following a deadly truck attack on Bourbon Street. The incident, which was described by some outlets as an apparent terror attack, involved a truck driving into a crowd of New Year's revelers. This horrific event resulted in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries, leading city and bowl officials to make the immediate decision to postpone the contest.

Sugar Bowl director Jeff Hundley confirmed the game would be moved, prioritizing public safety and showing respect for the victims and the city of New Orleans. The decision ensured that first responders and law enforcement could fully focus on the critical situation on Bourbon Street, rather than managing the massive crowds associated with a major college football game at the Caesars Superdome. The rescheduled date and time allowed a brief period for the city to stabilize and mourn before hosting the high-profile sporting event.

Key Figures: Coaches and Players Driving the CFP Quarterfinal

The stakes are incredibly high for this CFP Quarterfinal. Both the Fighting Irish and the Bulldogs are led by elite coaches and feature rosters stacked with NFL-caliber talent. The performance of these key figures will determine which team advances to the CFP Semifinals.

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Georgia Bulldogs: The Contenders (No. 2 Seed)

The Georgia Bulldogs, representing the SEC, are perennial national championship contenders under their head coach. They enter the CFP as the No. 2 seed, showcasing a dominant season and a powerful defense.

• Head Coach: Kirby Smart
  • Role: Head Coach, Georgia Bulldogs Football
  • Biography: A former Georgia defensive back, Smart has built the Bulldogs into a national powerhouse since taking over in 2016. He is known for his defensive prowess and elite recruiting.
• Key Players (Entities):
  • Carson Beck (QB): The veteran quarterback who leads the high-powered Georgia offense.
  • Malaki Starks (S): A consensus All-American safety and the anchor of the Bulldogs' elite defense.
  • Tate Ratledge (OL): A crucial offensive lineman, providing protection for Beck and opening running lanes.
  • Mykel Williams (EDGE): A disruptive pass-rusher on the defensive line, key to pressuring the Notre Dame backfield.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish: The Underdogs (No. 7 Seed)

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish, a historic independent program, earned a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff as the No. 7 seed. They are led by one of the youngest and most energetic head coaches in the country.

• Head Coach: Marcus Freeman
  • Role: Head Coach, Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football
  • Biography: Freeman, a former Ohio State linebacker, is highly regarded for his recruiting success and his passionate leadership style. He led the Irish to a historic season in 2024, culminating in this CFP berth.
• Key Players (Entities):
  • Drayk Bowen (LB): A vocal leader and the heart of the Notre Dame defense, known for his relentless pursuit.
  • Adon Shuler (S): A steady presence in the secondary, tasked with covering the Bulldogs' talented receivers.
  • Jaden Greathouse (WR): A top receiving threat who will be crucial for the Irish offense to move the ball against Georgia's defense.
  • Will Pauling (WR): Another key target in the passing game who provides speed and versatility.

Historical Context and LSI Keywords: Why This Matchup Matters

While the focus is on the updated Notre Dame Georgia game time, the historical context of this rare matchup adds another layer of intrigue. These two storied programs have met only a handful of times, with each contest being a high-profile, intense affair that captures the attention of the entire college football world.

A Rare and Intense Rivalry

Notre Dame and Georgia have one of the most compelling non-conference series in modern college football. Their limited history only increases the intensity when they do meet. The 2025 Sugar Bowl is only the fourth-ever meeting between the two schools, with Georgia holding the advantage in the all-time series. Previous matchups were instrumental in the national title races of their respective seasons, creating a legacy of "must-watch" football whenever the Fighting Irish and the Bulldogs clash.

This CFP Quarterfinal is a fresh chapter, moving the rivalry from a regular-season spectacle to a win-or-go-home playoff scenario. The winner of this contest in the Caesars Superdome will advance to the CFP Semifinal, keeping their national championship hopes alive. The 12-team College Football Playoff format ensures that even the No. 7 seed has a legitimate path to the title, making this game a true elimination battle.

Topical Authority and Key Entities

To fully understand the magnitude of this game, it is essential to recognize the surrounding entities:

• Caesars Superdome: The iconic venue in New Orleans, host of the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
• College Football Playoff (CFP): The governing body overseeing the national championship tournament.
• SEC (Southeastern Conference): Georgia's conference, widely considered the most dominant in the sport.
• Fighting Irish: The nickname for the Notre Dame football team.
• Bulldogs: The nickname for the Georgia football team.
• New Year's Six Bowl: The designation for the six most prestigious bowl games, including the Sugar Bowl.
• CFP Semifinal: The next stage of the tournament for the winner.

The updated Notre Dame vs. Georgia game time is a reminder of the fragility of major sporting events and the importance of community safety. While the focus has shifted from the original New Year's Day celebration to a somber, rescheduled game, the intensity of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal remains at an all-time high. Fans should mark their calendars for the 4:00 PM ET kickoff on Thursday, January 2, 2025, on ESPN.