The 2026 college football slate for Auburn has been released, pinning the Tigers to a grid of predetermined kickoff windows and broadcast partners.
First‑year head coach Alex Golesh will step onto the Plains with a fresh roster and a demanding conference agenda, marking his debut season after a high‑profile move from the Mountain West.
Under the SEC’s new nine‑conference model, each team now meets a broader set of league opponents, reshaping traditional rhythms and creating fresh storylines across the schedule.
Key rivalries and timelines
At the top of the rankings sits the Florida showdown, a primetime affair that will see the Gators travel to Auburn for the first time since 2011, reigniting a rivalry that has produced memorable moments.
Close behind, the Iron Bowl against Alabama occupies the second slot, promising Golesh’s inaugural clash with the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, a venue where the Tigers have not tasted victory since 2019.
The Tennessee game slides into third place, offering the coach a return to Knoxville where he previously coached, while also serving as Auburn’s first true road test of the season.
Other notable dates include an early‑October afternoon matchup with Georgia in Athens, a Halloween night visit to Ole Miss, and a homecoming game against Southern Miss that will be Golesh’s first appearance in front of his new fan base.
The schedule also features early‑slot contests against Arkansas, Mississippi State, and Vanderbilt, each bringing new head coaches into the mix and adding layers of unpredictability.
Quarterback dynamics will be a focal point, with Byrum Brown and DJ Lagway slated to lead the offense in the season‑opening game against Baylor in Atlanta, a venue that also hosts the sixth‑ranked showdown with Vanderbilt.
Finally, the season will close with a morning kickoff against LSU, the earliest such start for Auburn since 1994, rounding out a calendar that blends historic rivalries, new challenges, and a coach eager to imprint his identity.