The present disclosure describes example techniques for configuring and utilizing common control channels and configuration thereof in wireless communication systems. For instance, in an aspect, the present disclosure describes an example method performed by a network node (106) (also referred to herein as a base station, eNB, next-generation NodeB (gNB), or the like) that includes generating resource location information identifying one or more candidate time-frequency resource locations for a common control channel utilized in the cell. In addition, the example method can include transmitting the resource location information to one or more UEs and/or one or more other network nodes.