College Football Playoff, NFL, and the University of Miami Collaborate on Coral Restoration Project During National Championship
Miami, FL – January 16, 2026 – As the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship brings fans from across the country to South Florida, the CFP’s Playoff Green partnered with the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science’s Coral Restoration Lab and the NFL to deliver a lasting environmental impact beneath the surface of local waters through a coral restoration effort and citizen science expedition.
The collaboration built upon NFL Green’s 100 Yards of Hope project from Super Bowl LIV in February 2020. NFL Green is the league’s flagship environmental program focused on advancing community greening efforts in major sporting event host cities As part of this collaboration, Rosenstiel School scientists led recon dives to return to the 100 Yards of Hope coral restoration site, which sustained significant damage in 2023–the worst coral bleaching event in recorded history for the region.
"The College Football Playoff is proud to help deliver a project that leaves a tangible legacy in the Miami community,” said Ryan Allen Hall, senior director of public events and sponsorships for the CFP. “Engaging volunteers in coral restoration creates a powerful story of environmental stewardship tied to the national championship game.”
This project aligned with Playoff Green’s “Year of the Ocean” focus for the 2026 national championship game, highlighting the importance of ocean health, coastal resilience, and marine conservation as part of the CFP’s national championship game week sustainability efforts. In addition to this project, Playoff Green also invested in a coastal cleanup with 4Ocean to remove 5,000 pounds of waste from the ocean.
"The NFL is committed to ensuring that the impact of our major events extends far beyond the game, including leaving a lasting, green legacy in every community where we play," said NFL Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility Anna Isaacson. "We're excited to see the College Football Playoff embrace this commitment by continuing coral restoration efforts at our NFL Green 100 Yards of Hope project from Super Bowl LIV in Miami. Together, we’re not only restoring vital marine ecosystems but also demonstrating how sports can drive meaningful environmental change.”
Researchers from the Coral Restoration Lab began the initiative with a comprehensive re-survey of the site, evaluating coral survivorship, reef structure, and overall habitat condition. Findings from the assessment informed a hands-on Rescue a Reef coral restoration expedition, during which corals were replanted and the site was revitalized to promote reef resilience and recovery.
“Florida’s Coral Reef is a national treasure that supports all community members–from anglers to accountants to athletes,” said Dalton Hesley, a Senior Research Associate in the Coral Restoration Lab. “That’s why this collaboration with the CFP’s Playoff Green is so important, giving us a rare opportunity to reach millions of fans across the country and turn awareness into action for coral conservation.”
In addition to advancing scientific restoration goals, the expedition provided a unique opportunity for Playoff Green partners and volunteers to participate as citizen scientists. Snorkelers and certified divers joined Rescue a Reef and University of Miami Rosenstiel School researchers in coral monitoring and restoration activities, contributing valuable data while gaining firsthand experience in marine conservation.
Through this collaboration, the College Football Playoff, NFL, and the University of Miami Coral Restoration Lab demonstrated how major sporting events can support science-based environmental solutions–extending the legacy of the championship from the field to the reef.