The 2026 college football Week 1 schedule runs Thursday, September 3 through Monday, September 7, with most season openers on Saturday, September 5 over Labor Day weekend. Below is every headline Week 1 matchup with TV times, plus a free printable PDF you can take to your watch party.
2026 College Football Week 1 Schedule: Quick Facts
Last updated: July 8, 2026
- Dates: Thursday, September 3 to Monday, September 7, 2026
- Main slate: Saturday, September 5, 2026 (Labor Day weekend)
- Headline games: Clemson at LSU, Wisconsin vs Notre Dame, LSU, Boise State at Oregon
- TV networks: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC/Peacock, ESPN, and the conference networks
- Printable PDF: free download at the top of this page
2026 College Football Week 1 Schedule and TV Times
Here is the 2026 college football Week 1 schedule by day with kickoff times in ET and national TV. Times are subject to change as networks finalize windows. Kickoff windows are confirmed on the official NCAA.com college football schedule.
Thursday, Sept 3
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| UMass at Rutgers | 6:00 PM | Big Ten Network |
| Akron at Wake Forest | 7:00 PM | ACC Network |
| Bethune-Cookman at UCF | 7:00 PM | ESPN+ |
| Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Missouri | 8:00 PM | SEC Network |
| Colorado at Georgia Tech | 8:00 PM | ESPN |
| Eastern Illinois at Minnesota | 8:00 PM | Peacock |
| Idaho at Utah | 9:00 PM | ESPNU |
| UAB at Illinois | 9:00 PM | Big Ten Network |
Friday, Sept 4
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana State at Purdue | 7:00 PM | Big Ten Network |
| LIU at Kansas | 8:00 PM | ESPNU |
| Toledo at Michigan State | 8:00 PM | ESPNU |
| Fresno State at USC | 9:00 PM | FOX |
| Miami (FL) at Stanford | 9:00 PM | ESPN |
Saturday, Sept 5
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| North Texas at Indiana | 12:00 PM | FOX |
| Liberty at James Madison | 12:00 PM | ESPNU |
| East Carolina at Alabama | 12:00 PM | ABC |
| Ball State at Ohio State | 12:30 PM | Big Ten Network |
| Tennessee State at Georgia | 3:00 PM | SEC Network+ |
| Baylor vs Auburn (Atlanta) | 3:30 PM | ABC |
| Boise State at Oregon | 3:30 PM | CBS |
| Texas State at Texas | 3:30 PM | ESPN |
| Tulane at Duke | 3:30 PM | ACC Network |
| Oklahoma State at Tulsa | 3:45 PM | ESPNU |
| FIU at South Florida | 7:00 PM | ESPN+ |
| Clemson at LSU | 7:30 PM | ABC |
| Western Michigan at Michigan | 7:30 PM | NBC/Peacock |
| Florida Atlantic at Florida | 7:45 PM | SEC Network |
| UCLA at California | 10:30 PM | ESPN |
Sunday, Sept 6
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Southern at Prairie View A&M (Labor Day Classic) | 12:00 PM | ESPN2 |
| South Carolina State vs Florida A&M (Orange Blossom Classic) | 3:00 PM | ESPN |
| Washington State at Washington | 4:00 PM | NBC/Peacock |
| Louisville vs Ole Miss (Nashville) | 7:30 PM | ABC |
| Wisconsin vs Notre Dame (Green Bay) | 7:30 PM | NBC/Peacock |
Monday, Sept 7
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| SMU at Florida State | 7:30 PM | ESPN |
Games to Watch in Week 1
Week 1 opens with a marquee Saturday night in Death Valley as Clemson visits LSU, while Notre Dame meets Wisconsin in Green Bay and Ole Miss faces Louisville in Nashville on Sunday. Boise State at Oregon and Colorado at Georgia Tech headline the Group of 5 versus Power conference intrigue, and the weekend closes with SMU at Florida State on Monday night.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 college football season start?
Week 0 games begin Thursday, August 27, but Week 1 is the first full weekend. Week 1 kicks off Thursday, September 3, with most teams playing Saturday, September 5, 2026 over Labor Day weekend.
What are the biggest 2026 college football Week 1 games?
The headline Week 1 matchups include Clemson at LSU, Wisconsin vs Notre Dame in Green Bay, Louisville vs Ole Miss in Nashville, Boise State at Oregon, and SMU at Florida State on Monday night.
Is there a printable 2026 college football Week 1 schedule?
Yes. You can download a free printable 2026 college football Week 1 schedule PDF at the top of this page, with every headline game, kickoff time, and TV network.
What channels show Week 1 college football in 2026?
Week 1 games air across ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and Peacock, the ESPN family (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+), and the conference networks (Big Ten, SEC, and ACC Network).
More College Football Resources
- 2026 College Football Schedule Hub (all teams and conferences)
- 2026 College Football Week 0 Schedule
- 2026 College Football Week 2 Schedule
