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The 2026 Stanford Cardinal football schedule opens early with a Week 0 home game against Hawai’i on August 29, followed by a Friday night ACC home opener against Miami on September 4. Head coach Troy Taylor navigates a demanding schedule that includes road trips to Duke, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, and California, capped by a home finale against SMU on November 28.
2026 Stanford Cardinal Football Schedule
| Wk | Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Sat, Aug 29 | vs Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors | 7:00 PM | ACCN |
| 1 | Fri, Sep 4 | vs Miami Hurricanes | 9:00 PM | ESPN |
| Open Date – Bye Week (Fri, Sep 11) | ||||
| 3 | Sat, Sep 19 | @ Duke Blue Devils | TBD | TBD |
| 4 | Sat, Sep 26 | vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets | 10:30 PM | ESPN |
| 5 | Sat, Oct 3 | @ Wake Forest Demon Deacons | TBD | TBD |
| 6 | Sat, Oct 10 | @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish | 3:30 PM | TBD |
| 7 | Sat, Oct 17 | vs Elon Phoenix | TBD | TBD |
| 8 | Fri, Oct 23 | vs NC State Wolfpack | 10:30 PM | ESPN |
| 9 | Sat, Oct 31 | @ Louisville Cardinals | TBD | TBD |
| Open Date – Bye Week (Sat, Nov 7) | ||||
| 11 | Sat, Nov 14 | @ Virginia Tech Hokies | TBD | TBD |
| 12 | Sat, Nov 21 | @ California Golden Bears | TBD | TBD |
| 13 | Sat, Nov 28 | vs SMU Mustangs | TBD | TBD |
All times Eastern. TBD = kickoff/TV not yet announced. Updated May 27, 2026.
Stanford’s back-to-back openers in Week 0 and Week 1 before a bye week give the Cardinal an early test of depth and conditioning heading into conference play. The road game at Notre Dame on October 10 is the marquee matchup on the schedule. The season closes with three consecutive road trips before a home finale against SMU, giving Stanford a chance to finish strong in front of its home crowd.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Stanford play in Week 0 in 2026?
Stanford opens the 2026 season a week early on August 29 against Hawai’i as part of the traditional Week 0 scheduling that allows programs to get an additional game in early. This results in Stanford carrying two bye weeks during the regular season, offering extra recovery time. The Week 0 opener leads directly into a Friday night home game against Miami on September 4.
Who is the Stanford Cardinal head coach in 2026?
Troy Taylor enters his third season as Stanford Cardinal head coach in 2026. Taylor came to Stanford from Sacramento State, where he won an FCS national championship in 2023 before transitioning to the Power Four level. He has focused on rebuilding the Cardinal program while competing at the highest level of the ACC.
Where do the Stanford Cardinal play home games in 2026?
Stanford plays home games at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California. The stadium seats approximately 50,000 fans and is located on the Stanford University campus. Since joining the ACC in 2024, Stanford Stadium has hosted several nationally relevant conference matchups as the Cardinal program builds its new conference identity.
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Resource Hub
Stanford Cardinal
Everything you need for the 2026 college football season.
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| → 2026 College Football Schedule Full FBS slate with kickoff times and TV networks. |
| → 2026-27 College Football Playoff Bracket The 12-team bracket, dates, and projected matchups. |
| → 2026-27 Bowl Game Schedule Every bowl game, date, and matchup in one place. |
| → ACC Football Standings Live ACC standings, records, and results. |
