The 2025 Orange Bowl, a College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinal, pits the No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions against the No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
While fans are focused on the game’s stakes, the financial rewards for both teams are also noteworthy. Each program stands to earn millions, thanks to the structured payouts of the CFP system.
Orange Bowl 2025: The payout to Notre Dame and Penn State
According to reports, the Orange Bowl offers a payout of approximately $6 million per team.
This figure reflects the financial significance of participating in a CFP semifinal and highlights the prestige of this historic bowl game, which has been a cornerstone of college football since 1935.
Additionally, both teams will receive $3 million to cover travel and preparation expenses for the event, ensuring they can compete at the highest level in Miami Gardens, Florida.
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The Orange Bowl’s payout is just one component of the broader CFP prize structure.
For the 2024-2025 season, all 12 playoff teams earn a base payout of $4 million.
Advancing to the quarterfinals adds another $4 million, while reaching the semifinals brings in an additional $6 million.
Should either Notre Dame or Penn State win the Orange Bowl and secure a spot in the national championship, they will earn another $6 million in prize money.
These payouts, however, are not kept solely by the individual schools.
Instead, they are distributed to the respective conferences, which then allocate the funds among member institutions.
This system ensures that the financial success of one team benefits the entire conference, supporting investments in facilities, coaching, and player resources.
In total, Notre Dame and Penn State’s Orange Bowl appearances represent more than just a chance to compete for a national title.
They also provide a substantial financial boost to their programs and conferences.
With the game set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Hard Rock Stadium, the stakes are high, both on the field and in the bank.