Ohio State triumphed over Oregon 42-20 to win the inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Watched by a capacity crowd of 85,689 in the stands and a cable television record of 33.4 million viewers—ESPN’s largest audience and highest overnight rating ever—the game represented a stunning success for the new era in college football.

A visual identity and iconic trophy were created to build the foundation for the new four-team playoff and raise its profile in the national conversation. The designs were fundamental elements in shaping every aspect of a mega sports event that combines the excitement of a tournament with a championship game on par with the Super Bowl.

Sleek and contemporary, the 24-karat gold, bronze and stainless steel trophy was a key symbol of the National Championship. The trophy and symbol’s two rising brackets represent the coming together of the best teams in the playoff system and form the shape of a virtual football—the four laces of the ball portray the four playoff teams.

The identity and trophy images were ever-present at the championship game. Bold environmental graphics include an eight-story-high “2015” wordmark on the façades of AT&T Stadium and supersize CFP and 2015 Championship logos on the field.