The USC Trojans concluded last season with a breakthrough performance that saw them finish near the top of the Big Ten, generating optimism for the upcoming campaign.
Head coach Lincoln Riley, who took over the program last year, is shaping the offense around quarterback Jayden Maiava, who is entering what many expect to be his final season with the Trojans, adding a sense of urgency and focus to the team's goals.
Ticket sales for the 2026 schedule are already open, allowing fans to purchase seats for every game at the historic LA Memorial Coliseum, where all home contests will be staged.
A packed schedule
The Trojans will host seven home games and travel for five road contests, beginning with a home game against San Jose State on Saturday, August 29, at 3 p.m. ET.
The cheapest home ticket is for the September 12 matchup against Louisiana, starting at $28, while the lowest‑priced road ticket is for the September 19 game at Rutgers, priced from $74.
Among the marquee matchups, the annual Victory Bell rivalry with UCLA will be played on November 28, and the Trojans will welcome Big Ten powerhouse Ohio State on October 31 at the Coliseum.
A recent ESPN ranking placed USC at No. 20 in the national preseason poll, underscoring the program's rising profile as it heads into the new season.
Key matchups to watch
The slate includes contests in locations such as Piscataway, New Jersey, and State College, Pennsylvania, as well as games in Madison, Wisconsin, and Bloomington, Indiana, rounding out a demanding road portion of the season.