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The 2026 Houston Cougars football schedule features a 12-game Big 12 slate with six home games at TDECU Stadium and a challenging road schedule that includes trips to Texas Tech, Georgia Southern, Kansas State, Utah, Colorado, and West Virginia. Houston opens the year with back-to-back home non-conference games against Oregon State and Southern before heading into Big 12 play. The 2026 season kicks off on September 5 at home against Oregon State.
2026 Houston Cougars Football Schedule
| Wk | Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sat, Sep 5 | vs Oregon State Beavers | 12:00 PM | ESPN |
| 2 | Sat, Sep 12 | vs Southern Jaguars | 7:00 PM | ESPN+ |
| 3 | Fri, Sep 18 | @ Texas Tech Red Raiders | 8:00 PM | FOX |
| 4 | Sat, Sep 26 | @ Georgia Southern Eagles | TBD | TBD |
| 5 | Sat, Oct 3 | vs UCF Knights | TBD | TBD |
| 6 | Sat, Oct 10 | @ Kansas State Wildcats | TBD | TBD |
| 7 | Sat, Oct 17 | vs Oklahoma State Cowboys | TBD | TBD |
| 8 | Sat, Oct 24 | @ Utah Utes | TBD | TBD |
| Open Date – Bye Week (Sat, Oct 31) | ||||
| 10 | Sat, Nov 7 | vs Cincinnati Bearcats | TBD | TBD |
| 11 | Fri, Nov 13 | @ Colorado Buffaloes | 10:15 PM | ESPN |
| 12 | Sat, Nov 21 | @ West Virginia Mountaineers | TBD | TBD |
| 13 | Sat, Nov 28 | vs Baylor Bears | TBD | TBD |
All times Eastern. TBD = kickoff/TV not yet announced. Updated May 27, 2026.
Houston’s 2026 home schedule is headlined by UCF (Oct. 3), Oklahoma State (Oct. 17), Cincinnati (Nov. 7), and Baylor (Nov. 28), with the season finale against the Bears at TDECU Stadium closing out the regular season. A bye week on October 31 gives the Cougars a critical rest before a demanding three-game road stretch to close November.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Houston play Baylor in 2026?
Houston hosts Baylor at TDECU Stadium on November 28, 2026 in the Cougars regular season finale. The game carries Big 12 standings implications depending on both teams records heading into the final week.
Who does Houston play in non-conference games in 2026?
Houston’s 2026 non-conference schedule includes home games against Oregon State (September 5) and Southern (September 12), plus a road game at Georgia Southern (September 26). The three-game non-conference slate gives the Cougars preparation before nine Big 12 games.
Where do the Houston Cougars play home games in 2026?
Houston plays home games at TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas. Opened in 2014, the stadium seats approximately 40,000 fans and is located on the University of Houston campus. Since joining the Big 12 in 2023, the Cougars have used TDECU Stadium as a launching pad for competing against college football’s elite programs.
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Resource Hub
Houston Cougars
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. |
| → Big 12 Football Standings Live Big 12 standings, records, and results. |
