The 2026 college football season is taking shape as the University of Kentucky announces its kickoff schedule, revealing when the Wildcats will take the field for the first time under head coach Will Stein.
Early September matchups
Kentucky opens the season on September 5 against Youngstown State, a game that will stream on the SEC Network+ at 1:00 p.m. The contest marks the beginning of a demanding slate that includes early road tests and high‑profile home games.
A week later, the Wildcats travel to face Alabama on September 12, with the showdown slated for a 3:30 p.m. broadcast on ABC. The game continues a streak in which Kentucky has hosted the SEC’s opening contest for three consecutive years, a run that follows defeats to South Carolina in 2024 and Ole Miss in 2025.
Road tests and prime‑time slots
The third week takes the Wildcats to College Station, Texas, where they will meet Texas A&M on September 19. The game is set for a 3:30 p.m. slot on ESPN or ESPN2, promising a hostile environment and a chance to measure the team’s progress against a traditionally strong program.
Concluding the early stretch, Kentucky heads to Oxford, Mississippi, for a night game against LSU on September 26. The matchup will kick off at 7:30 p.m. on ABC, offering a prime‑time showcase that could define the Wildcats’ momentum heading into conference play.