Opening Weekend Preview
The 2026 college football season is poised to kick off with Week 0 games beginning on August 29, marking the earliest start to a college‑football campaign in recent memory. NBC and its streaming partner Peacock will carry the live broadcasts, giving fans across the United States a chance to watch the action as it happens.
One of the headline matchups will see the USC Trojans host the San Jose State Spartans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 29 at 3 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on NBC and simultaneously streamed on Peacock, offering an early test of the network’s new college‑football production lineup.
Later in the week, the Michigan Wolverines are scheduled to welcome the Western Michigan Broncos on September 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET, while the Washington Huskies will travel to face the Washington State Cougars on September 6 at 4 p.m. ET. Both contests will also air on NBC and Peacock, rounding out a busy opening weekend.
Perhaps the most anticipated event is the Notre Dame Fighting Irish’s appearance at Lambeau Field for a September 6 showdown with the Wisconsin Badgers. The game, slated for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff, will be broadcast nationally on NBC and Peacock, bringing a storied college‑football tradition to one of the NFL’s most iconic venues.
These early‑season games serve as a preview of the competitive landscape that will unfold throughout the fall, with traditional powerhouses and rising programs alike looking to build momentum. Fans can expect a mix of high‑stakes matchups, novel venue settings, and the familiar pageantry that defines college football’s opening weekend.