Kansas Football Countdown to a Historic Season
The 2026 college football season will mark the Jayhawks' 135th year of competition, with the first three kickoff details now confirmed. Exactly 100 days from today, fans can circle Sept. 4, Sept. 11 and Sept. 19 on their calendars as the team’s opening slate takes shape.
Kansas opens the campaign on Friday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. Central time, hosting Long Island University in a matchup that will be streamed on ESPNU. The game not only kicks off the season but also sets the tone for a schedule that blends tradition with new frontiers.
Border Showdown with Missouri
Just a week later, the rivalry with Missouri returns to Lawrence for the StorageMart Border Showdown on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. CT, broadcast on FOX. The contest adds another chapter to a series that dates back to 1891, a rivalry that has seen the two programs trade leads over more than a century.
All-time, Kansas holds a 26‑16‑3 edge in games played in Lawrence, while Missouri’s overall series lead stands at 57‑55‑9. Those numbers underscore the competitive balance that has defined the Border Showdown for generations.
A First‑Ever International Fixture
The excitement culminates on Saturday, Sept. 19, when the Jayhawks travel to Wembley Stadium in London for a 11 a.m. CT kickoff on FS1. The game will mark the program’s inaugural international appearance, turning a historic venue into a temporary home field for Kansas.
While the full slate of games and broadcast partners remains to be announced, the early schedule already promises a blend of classic rivalries and groundbreaking experiences that will shape the narrative of the 2026 season.