A Global Kickoff
ESPN has released its 2026 college football schedule, marking the first time the season will open with games on opposite sides of the Atlantic and South America.
The opening weekend will feature matches in Dublin, Ireland, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, giving fans an unprecedented international start to the campaign.
Labor Day weekend will showcase a slate of high‑profile contests, including the much‑anticipated showdown between Ohio State and Texas and a clash between LSU and Ole Miss.
Rivalry week will bring traditional Thanksgiving and Black Friday battles, highlighted by the historic Texas versus Texas A&M matchup.
In addition to regular‑season play, ESPN will broadcast conference championship games from the ACC, Big 12 and SEC, offering a preview of the postseason picture.
The full early‑season and special‑date schedule is slated for release on May 27, 2026, promising detailed information on the nine teams that appear on ESPN.com’s Way‑Too‑Early Top 25.
The growing commercial appeal of college football is underscored by Disney’s platform, which is expected to attract more than 400 advertisers for the upcoming season.
College GameDay, built by The Home Depot, has already secured 132 advertisers, with 58 percent planning to increase their budgets compared with the previous year.
Overall, the 2026 season promises a blend of historic rivalries, marquee matchups and unprecedented global exposure, positioning college football as a premier stage for brands.