Friday Night Lights Return to Norman
The University of Oklahoma announced that its 2026 season‑opening football game against UTEP will be played on Friday, September 4, at 7 p.m. Central Time, and will be carried live on SEC Network+.
The decision reflects a broader effort to place early‑season contests on Friday nights, a slot the program says benefits both the team and its fan base.
Roger Denny, the university’s vice president and director of athletics, said the move is intended to showcase Oklahoma Football and create a more comfortable environment for players and spectators.
Coach Brent Venables expressed enthusiasm about opening the season under the lights, noting that the tradition of Friday night games has long been a hallmark of the program.
The Sooners are 6‑0 in Friday evening regular‑season games, a perfect streak that includes every such contest since the program’s return to Friday night scheduling.
Venables highlighted the atmosphere, saying playing under the lights on a Friday creates a unique energy that fuels both players and fans.
Denny added that the scheduling choice is part of a strategy to provide a more comfortable environment for early‑season games in Oklahoma.
The matchup will be streamed on SEC Network+, extending the reach of the program to a national audience.
Historically, Oklahoma has played 17 regular‑season Friday games since World War II, winning 11 of them, with memorable victories over Nebraska in 1973, 1976, 1977 and 1990.