The American Conference unveiled its 2026 football schedule, laying out kickoff times and television assignments that promise a season rich in national exposure and marquee moments.
Week Zero kicks off the action
Memphis opens the campaign on Saturday, August 29, traveling to UNLV for a 7 p.m. ET showdown on FOX, setting the tone for a year that will see multiple games pushed into prime‑time slots.
Week One brings Big Ten drama
The first Saturday of the season features UAB taking on Illinois in a 9 p.m. ET clash on the Big Ten Network, while other early‑season matchups pit North Texas against Indiana, East Carolina against Alabama and Tulane against Duke, each drawing national attention.
Conference play and national TV highlights
Week 2 marks the first conference game as Army hosts South Florida at noon ET on CBS Sports Network, while Rice meets Notre Dame, Charlotte battles Ole Miss and Temple squares off against Penn State in high‑profile nonconference contests.
Intriguing storylines continue in Week 3 with Tulane visiting Kansas State, North Texas heading to Texas State and UTSA traveling to Texas, all slated for national broadcast.
Prime‑time slates on ESPN and CBS
Thursday night on ESPN opens with North Texas at Tulsa on October 1, while Friday night games begin September 25 with UAB hosting Navy and Army making the trek to Temple, giving viewers a steady stream of high‑stakes football.
The final week of the regular season will feature four flex‑option matchups scheduled for Black Friday and Saturday, November 28, ensuring that the climax of the season remains flexible and compelling.
Tradition and championship
All three games of the Commander‑in‑Chief’s Trophy series will air on CBS, and the Army‑Navy rivalry will culminate on December 12 at 3 p.m. at MetLife Stadium. The conference championship game is set for ABC on December 5 at 8 p.m. ET, capping a season that saw Tulane earn a College Football Playoff berth as the No. 11 seed and the league secure nonconference victories over Power Five opponents.