Indiana is playing Miami football in the CFP national championship game. Follow live updateshere.
A recent breakout artist will perform the national anthem at the College Football Playoff Championship game in Miami, which is hosting the national championship for the second time since the CFP’s inaugural season in 2014.
Jamal Roberts, winner of the most recent season of ABC’s “American Idol,” will perform the national anthem prior to No. 1 Indiana (15-0) and No. 10 Miami’s (13-2) meeting off at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
The 28-year-old singer from Meridian, Mississippi, broke the “American Idol” record with his win, tallying 26 million votes, according to ABC. His debut single “Heal,” a cover of Tom Odell’s song, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs.
The CFP has had numerous high-level singers perform national anthems in past national championships, including Coco Jones, who performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” in 2025, a year after Fantasia handled the honors in 2024.
Here’s what to know of Roberts:
Who is performing national anthem at CFP national championship game?
Jamal Roberts, the winner of Season 23 of ABC’s “American Idol,” will perform the national anthem for the CFP National Championship in 2026.
“America the Beautiful” will be performed by members of the Florida Memorial University Ambassador Chorale, whereas a pair of Miami-area high schoolers will perform the two songs in American Sign Language. Seventeen-year-old Brianna Therve from Barbara Goleman High School will sign “America The Beautiful” and 18-year-old Maria Pernalete from Miami Palmetto High School with sign “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The marching bands will also appear on the field with a halftime performer who has yet to be announced. It’s likely to be someone of high profile, though, after rapper Travis Scott performed in 2025.
Who is Jamal Roberts?
Roberts is a 28-year-old singer from Meridian, Mississippi, who rose to fame after winning Season 23 of ABC’s “American Idol.”
The former physical education teacher at Crestwood Elementary School (Meridian) broke the “American Idol” record with more than 26 million votes in his favor for the final episode. He was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance/Song in 2026 for his live version of “Still,” alongside Jonathan McReynolds.
Prior to “American Idol,” he was a contestant on BET’s “Sunday Best,” a gospel music competition where he finished in the top three for his season in 2020. He has more than 115,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.
When is kickoff for CFP national championship game?
The game is listed to start at 7:30 p.m., but kickoff will be closer to 7:50 p.m.
Where is the national championship game?
The 2026 College Football Playoff Championship game will be held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, the home venue of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins.
It has another notable tenant — one of the teams taking the field Monday night.
Miami has played its home games at the stadium since 2008, when the Hurricanes left their longtime home, the Orange Bowl. The venue is about 24 miles from Miami’s campus in Coral Gables, Florida.
