The Kansas Jayhawks have released their 2026 football schedule, a slate that begins with an unusual Friday night opener and ends with a demanding nine‑game stretch that could define the season.
International Debut at Wembley
On September 19 the team will board a plane for London, where they will meet Arizona State in the Union Jack Classic, marking the first-ever college football game played at Wembley Stadium.
A week later the Jayhawks will enjoy an early bye, only to launch into a nine‑game run that includes rivalry matchups against Missouri and Kansas State, as well as contests with Utah, Middle Tennessee State and others.
Health storylines dominate the narrative, with star defender Ahmad Hardy’s availability still uncertain and Arizona State’s transfer safety Lyrik Rawls set to face his former program.
The defensive staff has trimmed fall camp to three practice days per week, a move intended to preserve player health while installing new schemes ahead of the grueling stretch.
Financial considerations also surfaced when the rescheduled game against Middle Tennessee State added a $140,000 fee to KU Athletics, underscoring the logistical costs of an atypical calendar.
Coach Collin Klein, now in his second year, hopes the early challenges will forge resilience, and the team aims to improve on recent 5‑7 records as they chase a winning season.