The 2026 College Football schedule and season officially kicks off with “Week 0” on Saturday, August 29, 2026. The regular season will feature an expanded schedule for many conferences and will run through December 12, followed by the 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP). This season marks another major shift in conference realignment as the Pac-12 returns to 8 members and new programs like North Dakota State make their FBS debut.

2026 College Football Conference Realignment Update

The “Great Realignment” continues to reshape the map in 2026. After the big shifts of 2024 and 2025, this year marks the official “rebirth” of the Pac-12, which adds Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Utah State, and Texas State to join Oregon State and Washington State. Meanwhile, the Mountain West and MAC have expanded their footprints, with powerhouse North Dakota State (NDSU) and Sacramento State officially joining the FBS ranks. The SEC and Big Ten remain at their 16 and 18-team super-conference totals, respectively, solidifying their status as the two premier “mega-conferences” in the sport.

When Does the College Football Season Start?

The 2026 season begins on Saturday, August 29 (Week 0), with a select slate of early matchups. The full national kickoff occurs during Labor Day Weekend, starting Thursday, September 3, and running through the primetime Labor Day Monday game on September 7. 

2026 College Football TV Schedule & Rights

Television coverage for 2026 remains consolidated among the major networks, but with a few new streaming wrinkles:

• SEC on ABC/ESPN: For the third year, the SEC is exclusive to the Disney family, with the “Game of the Week” typically landing in the 3:30 PM ET or 7:30 PM ET window on ABC.
• Big Ten “Tripleheader”: The Big Ten continues its partnership with Fox (Noon), CBS (3:30 PM), and NBC (Primetime).
• Big 12 & ACC: Coverage is split between ESPN/ABC and Fox, with select ACC games also appearing on The CW.
• Streaming: Expect a heavy presence of ESPN+ for non-conference games and Peacock for exclusive Big Ten windows.

2026 College Football Schedule – By Teams

Use the table below to find your team’s specific 2026 schedule, printable PDF calendar, and TV guide.

Note: Notre Dame, Army, and Navy schedules will be added to our “Independent & Service Academy” section shortly.

2026-27 College Football Postseason Schedules

2026 College Football Schedule Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How many teams are in the College Football Playoff (CFP) in 2026? 

A: The 2026 postseason will feature the 12-team playoff format, including the five highest-ranked conference champions and the next seven highest-ranked at-large teams.

Q: Will the Pac-12 have an automatic bid in 2026? 

A: With the Pac-12 reaching the 8-member threshold in 2026, they are eligible for NCAA recognition, but playoff “automatic” status is determined by being one of the five highest-ranked conference winners overall.

Q: Where can I find printable SEC and Big Ten schedules? 

A: You can click on any team in the table above to visit their dedicated team page, which includes a free, high-resolution Printable PDF Schedule for the 2026 season. If a team isn’t listed yet, it will be soon. 

Will Lewis has covered sports for over 18 years, specializing in bracketology, tournament predictions, and in-depth analysis across college hoops, NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and more. March Madness is his favorite season, fueling his quest for perfect brackets before diving into pro playoffs. A lifelong Kentucky Wildcats fan, Bengals supporter since the Joe Montana era, and now a Padres devotee, Will delivers reliable, fan-first insights at Sports Brackets. Connect on X or comment. He loves talking brackets and more.