The 2026 Cincinnati Bearcats football schedule features a 12-game Big 12 slate with six home games at Nippert Stadium, including a Homecoming matchup against Texas Tech on October 24. The Bearcats open the season with three straight home games before a tough road schedule that includes trips to Arizona, West Virginia, Utah, Houston, Iowa State, and BYU. Cincinnati begins the 2026 season on September 5 at home against Boston College.
2026 Cincinnati Bearcats Football Schedule
| Wk | Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sat, Sep 5 | vs Boston College Eagles | TBD | TBD |
| 2 | Sat, Sep 12 | vs Western Carolina Catamounts | TBD | TBD |
| 3 | Sat, Sep 19 | vs Miami (OH) RedHawks | TBD | TBD |
| 4 | Sat, Sep 26 | vs Kansas State Wildcats | TBD | TBD |
| 5 | Sat, Oct 3 | @ Arizona Wildcats | TBD | TBD |
| Open Date – Bye Week (Sat, Oct 10) | ||||
| 7 | Sat, Oct 17 | @ West Virginia Mountaineers | TBD | TBD |
| 8 | Sat, Oct 24 | vs Texas Tech Red Raiders | TBD | TBD |
| 9 | Sat, Oct 31 | vs Utah Utes | TBD | TBD |
| 10 | Sat, Nov 7 | @ Houston Cougars | TBD | TBD |
| 11 | Sat, Nov 14 | @ Iowa State Cyclones | TBD | TBD |
| 12 | Sat, Nov 21 | vs Colorado Buffaloes | TBD | TBD |
| 13 | Sat, Nov 28 | @ BYU Cougars | TBD | TBD |
All times Eastern. TBD = kickoff/TV not yet announced. Updated May 2026.
Cincinnati’s 2026 Big 12 road schedule is one of the most demanding in the conference, with six away conference games. The Bearcats’ key home conference matchups are Texas Tech (Oct. 24) and Colorado (Nov. 21), and they close the regular season with a road trip to BYU on November 28. The bye week on October 10 provides a needed rest between the Arizona road trip and the West Virginia road trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Cincinnati play Texas Tech in 2026?
Cincinnati hosts Texas Tech at Nippert Stadium on October 24, 2026 as part of the Bearcats Homecoming game. It is one of the marquee home conference matchups on the Cincinnati schedule for the fall.
What conference is Cincinnati in for 2026?
Cincinnati competes in the Big 12 Conference in 2026 after joining from the American Athletic Conference ahead of the 2023 season. The Bearcats play a full Big 12 schedule at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Where do the Cincinnati Bearcats play home games in 2026?
Cincinnati plays home games at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. One of the oldest college football stadiums in the country, Nippert seats approximately 40,000 fans and has hosted Bearcat football for over a century. Since joining the Big 12 in 2023, it has become a key venue for the program at the highest level of college football.
