The University of California, Davis has unveiled the kickoff times for its 2026 football campaign, a schedule that blends early‑season road tests with a string of high‑stakes home contests. The Aggies, already positioned as the No. 2 public university in the Wall Street Journal’s latest rankings, hope the slate will translate into momentum on the field.
The season opens on August 29 with a home game against Portland State, slated for a noon start in Pacific Time.
A week later, on September 19, the Aggies will host Stetson at 7 p.m., followed by a September 26 showdown with Montana at the same evening hour. Eastern Washington will travel to Davis on October 3, kicking off at 7:30 p.m.
Key Matchups to Watch
Later in the month, Northern Colorado will meet Davis on October 24 at 4 p.m., and Utah Tech will make its first visit to the campus in two years on November 7 at 4 p.m. The regular‑season home finale arrives on November 21, when the rivalry game against Cal Poly will be played at 1 p.m., contesting the coveted Golden Horseshoe.
Among the highlights, the clash with Montana marks the first Big Sky encounter of the year, while the matchup against Eastern Washington promises a high‑scoring affair. The upcoming game against Utah Tech also represents a milestone, as it will be the first meeting in several seasons.
Head coach Tim Plough said the schedule reflects the program’s ambition to compete at the highest level, noting that each home game is an opportunity to engage the passionate Aggie fan base and to showcase the university’s academic excellence.
With the full schedule now public, ticket sales are expected to surge, especially for the Cal Poly rivalry, which traditionally draws one of the largest crowds of the season.