Season Kickoff Details Revealed
The University of Kentucky has unveiled the kickoff times and television partners for the first three contests of the 2026 football season, setting the stage for a high‑profile start to the campaign.
The opening battle will see the Wildcats host Youngstown State at Kroger Field in Lexington on September 5, with a 1 p.m. ET start that will stream on SECN+. A week later, Kentucky will welcome Alabama to the same venue for a 3:30 p.m. ET showdown broadcast on ABC.
The third non‑conference test will take the team to College Station, Texas, where they will meet Texas A&M at Kyle Field on September 19 at 3:30 p.m. ET, the game being carried on either ESPN or ESPN2.
While the full slate of matchups remains pending, the athletic department has promised to roll out the remainder of the schedule in June, giving fans a clearer picture of the road ahead.
Head coach Will Stein expressed enthusiasm about the early slate, noting that the combination of home games against strong opponents and a road test in Texas will provide valuable early‑season challenges.