Where to Watch the 2025 Heisman Trophy Ceremony: Time, Channel, Stream & Finalists Guide

The long wait is over. After a season of breathtaking highlights, game-changing performances, and relentless debate, college football’s most iconic individual honor is set to be bestowed. The 91st Heisman Trophy ceremony promises a dramatic conclusion to the 2025 campaign, featuring a fascinating quartet of finalists who each took a unique path to New York. For fans eager to witness history, we have your complete viewing guide, expert breakdown, and a prediction for who will hear their name called.

Heisman Trophy 2025: Ceremony Viewing Details

Mark your calendars and set your reminders. The Heisman Trophy Trust’s annual presentation is a can’t-miss event in the sports calendar. Here is everything you need to know to watch live.

Date & Time: Saturday, December 13, 2025. The red carpet begins at 7:30 p.m. ET, with the official ceremony commencing at 8:00 p.m. ET.

TV Channel: The ceremony will be broadcast live nationally on ESPN. Tune in for comprehensive coverage, including finalist profiles, interviews, and the climactic announcement.

Live Stream: Cord-cutters can stream the event live via the ESPN app or on ESPN.com. Valid login credentials from a participating cable or streaming TV provider are required. Streaming services that carry ESPN, such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and FuboTV, will also provide access to the live broadcast.

Location: The ceremony returns to its prestigious home at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square, New York City.

Meet the 2025 Heisman Trophy Finalists

This year’s finalist list showcases elite talent from across the college football landscape. Three signal-callers and one dynamic running back comprise the group, each with a compelling statistical and narrative case for the bronze statue.

• Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana Hoosiers: The rumored favorite transformed Indiana into a Big Ten powerhouse. Leading the nation in QBR, Mendoza’s blend of pinpoint accuracy and clutch play in marquee wins has made him the frontrunner. His story of elevating a traditionally middling program resonates deeply with voters.
• Julian Sayin, QB, Alabama Crimson Tide: The successor to a legacy of Alabama excellence, Sayin orchestrated the Tide’s offense with surgical precision. Despite not having the gaudiest stats, his leadership in navigating a brutal SEC schedule and his flawless performance in the Iron Bowl solidified his invitation to New York.
• Diego Pavia, QB, Oregon State Beavers: The ultimate dual-threat dynamo. Pavia shattered records, becoming the first player in FBS history to pass for over 3,500 yards and rush for over 1,200 in a single season. He single-handedly kept Oregon State in the Pac-12 title hunt and is the definition of a “most valuable player.”
• Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame Fighting Irish: The lone non-quarterback finalist, and the one with the power to break a significant streak. Love was the workhorse for a playoff-bound Notre Dame team, leading the FBS in rushing yards and total touchdowns. His consistency and highlight-reel explosiveness provided the foundation for the Irish’s success.

Expert Analysis: Breaking Down the Heisman Race

The 2025 race is a microcosm of the eternal Heisman debate: Is it an award for the “most outstanding player” or the “most valuable” to a top team? The shadow of 2024 winner Travis Hunter—the two-way phenomenon who broke a three-year quarterback streak—also looms large, proving voters are willing to look beyond the QB position for transcendent talent.

Fernando Mendoza’s case is built on narrative and efficiency. He didn’t just put up numbers; he authored a storybook season for Indiana, delivering wins over Ohio State, Michigan, and in the Big Ten Championship. In the Heisman’s regional voting structure, his dominance in the Midwest is a critical asset.

Julian Sayin represents the “best player on the best team” argument. Steering Alabama to the No. 1 playoff seed carries immense weight. However, his statistics, while excellent, may not be deemed “Heisman-worthy” compared to his peers, potentially leading to vote splitting among the QB finalists.

Diego Pavia is the statistical marvel and the human highlight film. His numbers are undeniable and his style of play is electrifying. The question for voters is whether Oregon State’s three losses, albeit in a tough Pac-12, will be held against him in a field with other candidates who played for conference titles.

Jeremiyah Love stands at a historic crossroads. He is not just a running back; he is a bell-cow who carried Notre Dame’s offense. If he wins, he would snap a nine-year drought for RBs, last won by Derrick Henry in 2015. His candidacy tests whether Hunter’s win was a one-off for non-QBs or the start of a trend. Love’s performance against top-10 defenses will be a key point in his favor.

Prediction: Who Wins the 2025 Heisman Trophy?

Predicting the Heisman is an exercise in understanding voter psychology, regional biases, and timing. While any of the four finalists would be a deserving winner, the momentum appears to have crystallized behind one candidate.

Our prediction is that Fernando Mendoza will be named the 91st Heisman Trophy winner. The combination of his statistical excellence, his team’s dramatic rise to the top of the Big Ten, and his “Heisman moment” performances in the season’s biggest games creates a nearly perfect resume. Voters are drawn to stories of transformation, and Mendoza turning Indiana into a national contender is the ultimate transformation story.

Jeremiyah Love will finish a strong second, capturing the sentiment of voters tired of quarterback dominance and awed by his weekly production. His second-place finish will be the closest for a running back in a decade, signaling a potential shift in future voter behavior. Diego Pavia’s spectacular numbers will earn him a respectable third, while Julian Sayin’s pedigree and team success will place him fourth in what is ultimately a highly competitive year.

Regardless of the order, this ceremony will be remembered for its tension and the quality of the finalists. It embodies the evolving nature of college football, where diverse styles of play can all lead to the sport’s highest individual honor.

Conclusion: A Night for Immortality

Saturday night in Times Square is more than an award show; it is the culmination of a lifetime of work for four exceptional young athletes. Whether it’s Mendoza completing Indiana’s fairy tale, Love reviving the running back tradition, Pavia achieving statistical immortality, or Sayin upholding the Alabama standard, a new legend will be born.

Make sure you’re tuned in to ESPN at 8:00 p.m. ET on December 13th to witness the announcement live. The journey from preseason camp to the bright lights of New York ends with one name, one handshake, and one player forever etched into the history of college football. The 2025 Heisman Trophy awaits its owner.

For continued coverage and expert insights on the Heisman Trophy and all things college football, The Sporting News remains your premier destination.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.