Notre Dame vs. Penn State in CFP Semifinal at Orange Bowl

The No. 5-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish (13-1) will face the No. 4-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions (13-2) in the College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on Thursday, Jan. 9. The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, with the winner advancing to the CFP National Championship game later in January.

The matchup marks the first semifinal of the 2025 CFP, with both teams vying for a spot in the championship. The game will be broadcast on ESPN, with streaming options available through platforms like Sling TV, which offers a free trial for new subscribers. Tickets for the game are still available on StubHub, SeatGeek, and Ticketmaster, with discounts available using promo codes like VARIETY150 and VARIETY300.

Adding to the spectacle, 14-year-old musical theater star Ellie Rose will perform the national anthem. Rose, known for her role in the Broadway National Tour of ‘Annie,’ has previously performed the anthem for teams like the Florida Panthers and Miami Marlins. Country music star Nate Smith will headline the halftime show. Smith, who gained fame during the COVID-19 pandemic with his viral hit ‘Wildfire,’ has since released two successful albums and multiple chart-topping singles.

The Orange Bowl has drawn attention not only for the high-stakes football game but also for its pregame and halftime entertainment. Fans are eager to see how the national anthem and halftime performances will set the tone for the evening, as well as which team will emerge victorious and move one step closer to the national title.