The 2026 college football season is shaping up to be a defining chapter for the Texas Longhorns, a program that last celebrated a national championship in 2005 and is now pinning its hopes on a Heisman‑caliber campaign led by quarterback Arch Manning.
Ticket prices and the market landscape
Fans looking to catch the action will need to budget accordingly, as the most affordable home ticket this year is priced at $101 for the September 19 matchup against UTSA, while the cheapest road ticket comes in at $214 for the November 7 game at Missouri.
The Longhorns open the season at home on September 5 against Texas State, then welcome Ohio State to Austin on September 12 in a prime‑time slot that promises national attention. The marquee Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma will unfold on October 10 in Dallas, a neutral‑site game that traditionally draws a massive crowd.
Adding to the buzz, ESPN’s preseason poll has positioned Texas at No. 5, reflecting both the program’s historic pedigree and the optimism surrounding Manning’s arm and the supporting cast.
With head coach Steve Sarkisian orchestrating the offense and a recruiting class aimed at bolstering the defensive line, the team’s trajectory appears poised for a late‑season surge that could translate into a playoff berth.