A Thanksgiving Night Football Spectacle
On the evening of November 25, 2026, Texas Tech and TCU will meet under the lights at 7 p.m. Central Time, broadcast live on ESPN. The matchup will be the sole college football contest scheduled for Thanksgiving Day, drawing the attention of fans across the nation.
The game marks the culmination of Texas Tech’s regular‑season slate and follows the Red Raiders’ Big 12 opener against Houston on September 18, also slated for a 7 p.m. CT kickoff on FOX. With season tickets sold out for the fourth straight year, the program is poised to welcome a full house at Jones AT&T Stadium, while members of the Red Raider Club will gain early access to single‑game tickets beginning Wednesday.
The contest adds another chapter to a rivalry that dates back decades. Texas Tech holds a 33‑31‑3 edge over TCU in the all‑time series and has gone 3‑0 in Thursday night meetings since the Horned Frogs entered the Big 12 in 2012. The two programs last collided in a memorable 2015 encounter in Austin, where future NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes II led a 55‑point explosion alongside running back DeAndre Washington and wide receiver Jakeem Grant.
Beyond the historic rivalry, the game carries implications for the Big 12 Championship, which is set for December 4 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC. Strong performances could shape the conference standings and affect each team’s postseason trajectory.
Later this month, the conference will announce kickoff times and television partners for non‑conference road trips to Abilene Christian and Oregon State, while the Red Raiders continue to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.