Neutral-site games are some of the best dates on the 2026 college football calendar – the season-opening kickoff classics in Atlanta and Dublin, the great rivalries played on neutral turf like the Red River Rivalry and Florida-Georgia, and Army-Navy to close it out. Here is every marquee 2026 neutral-site game with dates, sites and TV, a look ahead at future years, and a free printable.
Last updated: September 5, 2026.
2026 Neutral-Site Games: Quick Facts
A neutral-site game is played at a stadium that is not the home field of either team – an NFL stadium, an overseas venue, or a traditional rivalry site. In 2026 they bookend the season: kickoff classics open it in late August and early September, rivalry neutrals run through October, and the Army-Navy Game closes it in December.
2026 Season-Opening Kickoff Classics
| Matchup | Date | Site | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina vs. TCU | Sat, Aug 29 | Aviva Stadium, Dublin (Aer Lingus Classic) | ESPN |
| Alabama A&M vs. Howard | Sat, Aug 29 | Center Parc Stadium, Atlanta (Cricket MEAC/SWAC) | ABC |
| Baylor vs. Auburn | Sat, Sep 5 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta (Aflac Kickoff) | ABC |
2026 In-Season Neutral-Site Games
| Matchup | Date | Site | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame | Sat, Sep 5 | Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI | TBA |
| Miami (OH) vs. Cincinnati | Sat, Sep 19 | Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH | TBA |
| Texas vs. Oklahoma (Red River) | Sat, Oct 10 | Cotton Bowl, Dallas, TX | ABC |
| Florida vs. Georgia | Sat, Oct 31 | EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL | ABC |
| Army vs. Navy | Sat, Dec 12 | Neutral site (TBA) | CBS |
Kickoff windows for the Red River Rivalry and the site of the Army-Navy Game are typically finalized later in the season; we will update them here as they are confirmed.
Printable 2026 Neutral-Site Schedule
Every 2026 neutral-site game on one page, grouped by kickoff classics and in-season games, with sites and TV.
Download the printable 2026 neutral-site schedule (PDF)
Future Neutral-Site Games (2027 and Beyond)
The neutral-site calendar is already filling in for future years. A few of the highlights, with links to each program’s full future slate:
| Year | Matchup | Date | Site |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Wisconsin vs. Pitt | Fri, Aug 27 | Aviva Stadium, Dublin (Aer Lingus Classic) |
| 2027 | Houston vs. LSU | Sep 4-6 | Houston (Texas Kickoff) |
| 2027 | Miami vs. Utah | Sep 4-6 | Las Vegas (Vegas Kickoff) |
| 2027 | Georgia vs. Florida | Sat, Oct 30 | EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL |
| 2027 | Army vs. Navy | Sat, Dec 11 | Philadelphia, PA |
| 2028 | West Virginia vs. Tennessee | Sat, Sep 2 | Charlotte (Duke’s Mayo Classic) |
| 2028 | Florida vs. Georgia | Sat, Oct 28 | EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL |
Dig into the full multi-year schedules for the programs involved: Georgia, Florida, Miami, LSU and Notre Dame.
Why Do College Teams Play Neutral-Site Games?
Neutral-site games spread the sport to big markets and overseas, guarantee both schools a large payout and a national TV window, and let historic rivalries keep a shared, fan-friendly home. For fans they mean a marquee matchup in a pro stadium or a destination trip, which is why kickoff classics and rivalry neutrals are among the most-watched dates on the calendar.
2026 Neutral-Site Games FAQ
What college football games are played at neutral sites in 2026?
The 2026 season opens with the Aer Lingus Classic (North Carolina vs. TCU in Dublin), the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge and the Aflac Kickoff (Baylor vs. Auburn) in Atlanta, and includes rivalry neutrals such as Texas-Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl and Florida-Georgia in Jacksonville, plus Army-Navy in December.
Where is the Florida-Georgia game played?
Florida vs. Georgia is played at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, a neutral site roughly halfway between the two schools. It is scheduled for October 31, 2026.
Is there a printable 2026 neutral-site schedule?
Yes – the free printable above lists every 2026 neutral-site game with dates, sites and TV, and links back to this page.
More 2026 College Football
- 2026 College Football Schedule (full hub)
- 2026 College Football Week 0 Schedule (international openers)
- 2026 Conference Championship Games
