UM vs. Indiana live updates: Indiana fans celebrate their perfect season in Miami
The University of Miami Hurricanes are taking on the unbeaten Indiana Hoosiers in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.
Miami, making a rare title-game appearance at its home venue, is looking to capture its sixth national crown, while Indiana is chasing its first national title in school history.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game. We will be updating this story throughout the day.
Here’s where to go for updates about the game: CFP National Championship Game live updates: Miami plays Indiana for the title
Hoosiers celebrate in Miami
The Indiana Hoosiers ended a perfect season with 21-27 victory over the Hurricanes, who put up a good fight.
The Indiana Hoosiers fans who made the trip to South Florida saw return on their investment. Brad Alford traveled to Miami from Los Angeles and was glad to talk about the victory.
“The whole thing has been unbelievable,” he said. “If someone would’ve told me two years ago that we would’ve had the top football team and be better than Alabama, I wouldn’t have believed it.”
Read the full story: ‘Unbelievable’: Hoosiers fans rejoice in Miami after defeating UM
UM fans leave Hard Rock disappointed
University of Miami fans seemingly spent much of their energy and thousands of dollars Monday to cheer on the Hurricanes during the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, but their efforts didn’t pay off with a victory.
The Indiana Hoosiers finished with a 27-21 win over the Hurricanes.
“We did it all the way until the last minute,” Canes fan Dominique Dumornay said after the loss.
Read the full story: UM Hurricanes fans bring excitement, leave without victory
BTA returns
After Malachi Toney scored the touchdown that brought the score to 21-24 in the fourth, Sebastian the Ibis, Miami’s beloved mascot, celebrated by imitating Miami Hurricanes legend Michael Irvin’s BTA move, where he pretended to spank a fan with a belt.
UM fans went crazy.
— Michael Butler
Miami fans outnumbered on their own turf?
The Miami Hurricanes may be playing at home for the College Football Playoff game against Indiana, but fan attendance at Miami Gardens’ Hard Rock Stadium is telling a different story. Walking through the stadium, the sea of red Indiana jerseys drowns out the orange and green of Miami. A look at fans in seats shows that Hoosiers appear to occupy at least 60% of the stadium, with the remaining 40% being Hurricane fans.
— Michael Butler
Read the full story: Where are the Hurricanes fans? Hoosiers appear to dominate at Hard Rock
A peek at President Trump during a rousing national anthem
As American Idol season 23 winner Jamal Rivers sang the national anthem, President Donald Trump was shown sitting in a box seat. At the end of Rivers’ performance, fireworks went off as he sang “and the land of the free.”
Promise kept
Rapper Lil Uzi Vert was spotted at the Hard Rock Stadium. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza had made a promise before his team qualified for the championship game that he would bring his favorite rapper to Miami. Looks like he made good on the promise. The “I Just Wanna Rock” hitmaker is currently dating Miami rapper JT.
Marco Rubio arrives to the game. Will the president make it?
Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived at the Hard Rock Stadium to watch UM take on Indiana. He came accompanied by his wife and his two sons.
Rubio’s arrival at the championship game could mean President Trump is on his way. Earlier this week there were reports that both the president and Rubio would be making an appearance.
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Pitbull takes the stage
Mr. 305 performed for the tailgaters at the Hard Rock Stadium, giving Indiana fans a chance to party Miami-style.
“Welcome to Miami,” he called from the stage.
‘Once in a lifetime’
About four hours before kickoff, UM fans were dancing, drinking, chanting and getting hyped up for the game outside the stadium.
A larger group of UM fans got in a circle, put their arms around each other and bowed their heads toward the ground in a huddle while music played in the background. A group of four women were skipping around in matching green and orange striped jumpsuits.
Robert Clark, 27, of Orlando, said he’s feeling confident Miami is going to beat Indiana.
Clark spent $4,000 on his ticket, but said it’s completely worth it. He was decked out in an oversized fake gold UM chain.
He said he’s a big fan and “had the money to spend.”
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Clark said.
— Sofia Saric
Read more: ‘I cry every game’: Fans tailgating outside Hard Rock Stadium are ready for a win
How can I watch the game and what do I need to know about the teams?
The No. 10 Miami Hurricanes (13-2) face the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers (15-0) on Monday in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. from Hard Rock Stadium. Here is what you need to know about the matchup.
— Jordan McPherson
Read more at: No. 10 Miami Hurricanes vs. No. 1 Indiana: What to know about title-game matchup
See the Miami Hurricanes arrive at the team hotel ahead of the big game
The 10th-ranked Hurricanes arrived at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach on Friday afternoon, where they will stay until they play the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers on Monday at Hard Rock Stadium (7:30 p.m., ESPN).
Total distance traveled from the University of Miami campus in Coral Gables to hotel: A little less than 20 miles, and they didn’t even have to cross the county line.
Who will sing the national anthem and ‘America the Beautiful’
The National Football Championship game is gearing up to feel even more homegrown with South Florida’s only HBCU, Florida Memorial University, bringing their Chorale to perform “America The Beautiful” during the pregame ceremonies.
— Raisa Habersham
Read the full story here: Florida Memorial University’s chorale to perform at UM vs. Indiana game
The Mendoza brothers are ready to compete
Fernando Mendoza overcame the naysayers on his way to becoming a Heisman Trophy winner and the key cog of the Indiana Hoosiers’ unbeaten run to the CFP National Championship Game and dream matchup against his hometown Miami Hurricanes on Monday night.
Alberto Mendoza hasn’t begrudged the attention his brother has received this season. In fact, he’s his older brother’s biggest cheerleader on and off the field.
— Andre Fernandez
Read the full story: Alberto Mendoza ‘ready to compete’ as he follows in brother Fernando’s footsteps
Who will win no matter who wins tonight’s game? Columbus High School
For so many of the alumni of the all-boys, Catholic private school Columbus High School, known for its tradition-rich football program, it has been hard to choose sides when the Hoosiers, led by Fernando Mendoza, take on the Hurricanes, coached by Columbus alum Mario Cristobal, on Monday night in Miami Gardens with a national championship at stake.
No matter who emerges with the trophy, Columbus is already a winner.
Read the full story: Columbus High the center of attention as Miami-Indiana national title game looms
Read the full story: There’s a Miami watch party with a particular player in mind. See the details
What’s the weather going to be like for the big game?
Will the cold weather carry into Monday night’s big game at Hard Rock Stadium when Miami meets Indiana for the college football championship?
Read the full story: Will the cold stay around for Miami’s championship game? What the forecast says
Getting to the game
If you’re trying to figure out how to get to the college football championship game at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday, you have a lot of thinking to do. Summon an Uber? Take a train. Ride a bus? Here are your options.
— Michael Butler
Read more at: So, you got a ticket to the big game. How are you getting there? See options
No ticket? Here’s where to watch the game in Miami
Where will you be when University of Miami faces the Indiana Hoosiers? We’re guessing you didn’t shell out $4,000 for a ticket at Hard Rock Stadium. But maybe you don’t want to sit on your ratty couch during this historic matchup. We can’t blame you. So, get out there on the town with your fellow Canes fans who have patiently waited for this moment since 2001. While most sports bars will offer some type of celebration, we found a few watch parties with a little something extra.
— Madeleine Marr and Michael Butler
Read the full story: Priced out of a ticket for the big Miami game? You can watch this way instead
This story was originally published January 19, 2026 at 2:20 PM.