The Florida Gators basketball program will open its 2026‑27 campaign with a preseason exhibition against Baylor on October 18, 2026, at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville. The matchup marks the Gators’ first preseason game since the 2021‑22 season and their first exhibition against a Division I opponent since a 2017 victory over Jacksonville University.
Following that debut, the Gators will travel to face Jacksonville University on November 5 and host Miami on November 2 before stepping into their first regular‑season test against Florida State on November 10. The early schedule also includes a neutral‑site showdown with Georgia Tech in Orlando on December 12 and a participation in the Jacksonville Hoops Showdown against Grand Canyon on December 18.
Key Rivalries and Neutral‑Site Tests
The non‑conference slate continues with games against Florida A&M on December 21 and Long Island University on December 29, after which the SEC schedule kicks off with a road test at Texas on January 2. Home contests against Vanderbilt on January 9 and Missouri on February 13 will follow, setting the stage for a much‑anticipated rematch with Auburn on February 9 or 10 to avenge a loss from the previous season.
Mid‑season action will see the Gators host Georgia on January 23 and travel to face Alabama on January 16, while a later home game against Kentucky on March 6 will serve as Senior Day. The regular season will wrap up with a road trip to South Carolina in Columbia on March 2 or 3, before the SEC tournament rolls into Nashville from March 10 to 14.