Football

SEC Unveils 2026 Early-Season Football Schedule

39 games set for the first three weeks as the conference enters its third year with 16 teams

The Southeastern Conference announced its 2026 football slate, confirming 39 contests across the first three weeks of the season as the league settles into its third year as a 16‑team league.

Reigning champions the Georgia Bulldogs will look to defend their title amid a schedule that blends traditional rivalries with fresh conference experiments.

Week one opens with Missouri welcoming FCS opponent Arkansas‑Pine Bluff on Thursday, September 3, a matchup slated for an 8:00 p.m. ET broadcast on the SEC Network.

Opening Saturday Tripleheader

Saturday, September 5, ABC will air a tripleheader that begins at noon ET with East Carolina visiting Alabama, continues at 3:30 p.m. ET with Baylor taking on Auburn in Atlanta, and culminates at 7:30 p.m. ET with Clemson traveling to LSU.

The following Sunday, August 31, sees the Ole Miss Rebels host Louisville in Nashville, with the game carried by ABC at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Week two kicks off on September 12 when Alabama journeys to Kentucky, a contest again televised by ABC at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Championship Weekend

The SEC Championship Game is set for Saturday, December 5, at 4:00 p.m. ET, broadcasting on ABC as the culmination of the regular season.

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