According to a report by ESPN, the NCAA has approved three new bowl games for the 2015 season. The bowls will be hosted in Tucson, Arizona; Austin, Texas; and Orlando, Florida.
That brings the total number of bowl games to 42 for the 2015-16 season, including the College Football Championship Game. Since two of the teams play twice, a total of 82 teams will be needed to fill all of the bowl and playoff positions.
With 127 teams (Charlotte is FBS transitional), that means 64.5% of the FBS will play in a bowl or playoff game after the culmination of the 2015 season.
There could have been 43 bowl games this season, but organizers of a bowl game in Little Rock, Arkansas reportedly withdrew their bid. That bowl would have pitted the American vs. the Sun Belt.
Below are the three new bowls and details for each, per ESPN:
Austin, Texas
Matchup: American vs. Sun Belt
Site: Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (tentative)
Orlando, Florida (AutoNation Cure Bowl)
Matchup: American vs. Sun Belt
Site: Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium
Date: Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015
Tucson, Arizona
Matchup: C-USA vs. MWC
Backup Conference: MAC
Site: Arizona Stadium
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015, CBSSN
Update: The Austin Bowl has decided to wait an additional season before starting. Therefore, there will be 41 bowls in 2015-16.