The 2026 Kent State Golden Flashes football schedule features five home games at Dix Stadium and a Week 1 opener at South Carolina. Kent State hosts rival Akron for the Wagon Wheel on October 24. Kickoff times and TV networks are still to be announced and will be added here as the MAC and its broadcast partners release them.
Kent State Golden Flashes Football Overview
Kent State enters 2026 under head coach Mark Carney, who had the interim tag removed and was named full-time head coach in October 2025.
The non-conference schedule includes two Power Four road games at South Carolina and Ohio State. The MAC slate is headlined by the Wagon Wheel rivalry game at home against Akron.
Kent State 2026 Football Schedule
Here is the full 2026 Kent State Golden Flashes schedule. Home games are listed as “vs” and road games as “@”. Times and TV are marked TBD until announced.
| WK | Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sat, Sep 5 | @ South Carolina Gamecocks | TBD | TBD |
| 2 | Sat, Sep 12 | vs Wofford Terriers | TBD | TBD |
| 3 | Sat, Sep 19 | @ Ohio State Buckeyes | TBD | TBD |
| 4 | Sat, Sep 26 | vs Ball State Cardinals | TBD | TBD |
| 5 | Sat, Oct 3 | vs Ohio Bobcats | TBD | TBD |
| 6 | Sat, Oct 10 | @ Western Michigan Broncos | TBD | TBD |
| 7 | Sat, Oct 17 | @ South Florida Bulls | TBD | TBD |
| 8 | Sat, Oct 24 | vs Akron Zips | TBD | TBD |
| 9 | Sat, Oct 31 | @ Sacramento State Hornets | TBD | TBD |
| BYE | Sat, Nov 7 | Open Date – Bye Week | – | – |
| 11 | Tue, Nov 10 | @ Bowling Green Falcons | TBD | TBD |
| 12 | Tue, Nov 17 | vs Miami (OH) RedHawks | TBD | TBD |
| 13 | Tue, Nov 24 | @ Eastern Michigan Eagles | TBD | TBD |
More 2026 College Football Resources
Kent State 2026 Football FAQ
Who is Kent State’s head coach in 2026?
Mark Carney leads Kent State in 2026. He was named full-time head coach in October 2025 after serving as interim coach, with a deal through 2029.
How many home games does Kent State play in 2026?
Kent State plays five home games in 2026: Wofford, Ball State, Ohio, Akron, and Miami (OH).
When is Kent State’s bye week in 2026?
Kent State’s bye week falls in Week 10, the weekend of November 7, 2026.
When will Kent State’s 2026 kickoff times and TV channels be announced?
Most MAC kickoff times and TV assignments are confirmed about 6 to 12 days before each game. This page and the printable PDF are updated as the MAC and its broadcast partners release them.
What is Kent State’s biggest rivalry game in 2026?
Kent State hosts Akron on October 24 for the Wagon Wheel, the oldest rivalry on the Golden Flashes’ schedule.
Official source: Kent State Golden Flashes Athletics.
