Breaking: Heisman Trophy Ceremony Set for Saturday Night in New York
The wait is over. The 91st Heisman Trophy will be handed out Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 7 p.m. ET. The ceremony takes place in the Appel Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. For the first time, the reveal airs live on ABC, with streaming available on ESPN platforms. Four stars, Fernando Mendoza, Diego Pavia, Jeremiyah Love, and Julian Sayin, will walk in with dreams and leave with history on the line. The room will be tight, the lights sharp, the stakes massive. 🏆
The When, Where, and How to Watch
The broadcast window opens at 7 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. CT. Expect a crisp show, a short video on each finalist, and quick interviews before the envelope moment. The Appel Room’s glass wall looks out over Columbus Circle, a stunning stage for a college football crown. ABC will carry the live announcement, and the ESPN App will stream it for viewers on the go.
The 91st Heisman will be awarded Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on ABC, from the Appel Room in New York City.
This is the sport’s most famous one-hour ceremony. It is intimate, it is tight, and it is all about the finalists. Former winners will sit in the front rows, and they will welcome the next name into the club.
Tune in a few minutes early, the opening film and candidate features set the tone for the night.
The Finalists and the Football Case
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana. He plays with edge and poise. He carries himself like a leader, and the country saw his heart in that emotional postgame interview. He reads leverage well, works the middle of the field, and takes care of the ball. Indiana rode his calm in late game drives all fall.
Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt. He is the street fighter of the group. He makes second reaction plays, and turns broken pockets into first downs. He throws with conviction on the move and gives Vanderbilt a fearless identity. Defenses struggle to tackle him, and he punishes soft contain.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame. He is burst and vision. He hits the crease, makes one cut, then he is gone. He helps in the pass game and blocks with pride. Notre Dame leaned on his balance when games tilted. He is the lone non quarterback in the field, and that matters in this vote.
Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State. He is cool and technical. Feet quiet, eyes steady, ball out on time. He brought rhythm back to an offense that demands precision. When protection held, he carved up zones and beat tight man with anticipation.
The Stories Driving the Final 24 Hours
This is more than stats. It is the human pulse right now. Mendoza’s raw interview resonated. It showed the pressure and joy that define this sport. Families are here, suit fittings are done, and the quiet walks through Central Park are over. It is time.
NIL is also part of the picture. These finalists arrive with major brand deals and real business weight. It is a new age, and the Heisman platform only grows that value. That spotlight brings scrutiny, but it also shows how college athletes now own their names.
Cultural representation is shaping the moment too. Mendoza, of Cuban descent, and Pavia, of Mexican descent, carry pride from their communities. College football is a broad stage, and that diversity is a strength. The room will feel that energy.
What Will Decide It Tonight
Voters love numbers, but they remember moments. They look at late game drives, rival games, and how each player lifted his team when it mattered most. They value ball security and toughness. They look at who created answers when plans failed.
Here are five factors that could swing the vote:
- Signature wins in November
- Turnover margin, especially in tight games
- Explosive plays against top defenses
- Fourth quarter production
- Consistency when the pocket breaks down
The ceremony format gives each finalist a clean runway. The films compress a season into two minutes. The interviews test poise. Then the envelope tells the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is the Heisman Trophy ceremony?
A: Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 7 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. CT.
Q: Where is it being held?
A: The Appel Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.
Q: How can I watch?
A: Live on ABC, with streaming on the ESPN App and ESPN platforms.
Q: Who are the finalists?
A: Fernando Mendoza of Indiana, Diego Pavia of Vanderbilt, Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame, and Julian Sayin of Ohio State.
Q: How long is the show?
A: Plan for about an hour, with the winner announced near the end.
History is waiting inside that glass room. One player will take a step into a lineage that stretches from Nile Kinnick to Caleb Williams. The stage is set, the cameras are locked, and the sport’s most famous stiff arm is about to find a new owner. See you at 7.
