The 2026 Alabama football schedule opens at home against East Carolina on September 5 at 12:00 p.m. ET. The Alabama Crimson Tide face 12 regular-season games plus a potential SEC Championship appearance, with classic rivalries including the Battle for Highway 82, Third Saturday in October, and the Iron Bowl.
Bryant-Denny Stadium hosts eight home dates on the 2026 Alabama football schedule. The toughest stretch lands in mid-to-late October with consecutive games against ranked Georgia and Tennessee followed by ranked Texas A&M.
2026 Alabama Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | East Carolina PiratesBryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL | 12:00pm ETABC | ||
| Saturday | at Kentucky WildcatsKroger Field, Lexington, KY | 3:30pm ETABC/Disney+ | ||
| Saturday | Florida State SeminolesBryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL | 3:30pm ETABC | ||
| Saturday | South Carolina GamecocksBryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL | 6:00-8:00pm ETTV TBA | ||
| Battle for Highway 82 | ||||
| Saturday | at Mississippi State BulldogsDavis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS | 12:00-1:00pm ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | 3 Georgia BulldogsBryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL | 6:00-8:00pm ETTV TBA | ||
| Third Saturday in October | ||||
| Saturday | at 20 Tennessee VolunteersNeyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN | 3:30-8:00pm ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | 8 Texas A&M AggiesBryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL | 3:30-8:00pm ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | at 11 LSU TigersTiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA | 3:30-8:00pm ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Vanderbilt CommodoresFirstBank Stadium, Nashville, TN | 12:00-1:00pm ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Chattanooga MocsBryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL | 2:00pm ETSECN+ | ||
| Iron Bowl | ||||
| Saturday | Auburn TigersBryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL | 3:30-8:00pm ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs SEC ChampionshipMercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA | 4:00pm ETABC | ||
How the 2026 Alabama Football Schedule Sets Up
September opens with a mix of home and road games on the 2026 Alabama football schedule. East Carolina at home, a road trip to Kentucky, Florida State at home, and South Carolina at home. That early stretch gives the Crimson Tide three home dates and one road contest before SEC play intensifies.
October brings the Battle for Highway 82 at Mississippi State, #3 Georgia at home, the Third Saturday in October at #20 Tennessee, #8 Texas A&M at home, and the bye week. The consecutive ranked games will define the middle of the season.
November features a road trip to #11 LSU, a road game at Vanderbilt, Chattanooga at home, and the Iron Bowl against Auburn at home. That final stretch will decide seeding for a possible SEC Championship appearance.
Home Games at Bryant-Denny Stadium
Eight home dates appear on the 2026 Alabama Crimson Tide Football schedule:
- September 5 vs. East Carolina
- September 19 vs. Florida State
- September 26 vs. South Carolina
- October 10 vs. #3 Georgia
- October 24 vs. #8 Texas A&M
- November 21 vs. Chattanooga
- November 28 vs. Auburn (Iron Bowl)
The Georgia, Texas A&M and Auburn games will generate the strongest crowds in Tuscaloosa.
The Games That Decide the Season
Three contests stand out on the 2026 Alabama football schedule.
The October 10 home game against #3 Georgia is the biggest mid-season measuring stick. The October 17 Third Saturday in October at #20 Tennessee is a key ranked test. The November 28 Iron Bowl against Auburn always carries the most weight of the season.
Win two of those three and the Crimson Tide stay in control of their path toward a possible December 5 SEC Championship appearance in Atlanta.
Where to Watch Alabama Crimson Tide Football
Confirmed networks on the 2026 Alabama football schedule:
- ABC (Sept. 5 vs. East Carolina, Sept. 19 vs. Florida State, and Dec. 5 SEC Championship)
- ABC/Disney+ (Sept. 12 at Kentucky)
- SECN+ (Nov. 21 vs. Chattanooga)
Most remaining SEC games still list TV as TBA. Expect additional network assignments once the final slate is set.
Key Dates at a Glance
- Sept. 5 — Season opener vs. East Carolina, 12:00 p.m. ET, ABC
- Oct. 10 — #3 Georgia at home
- Oct. 17 — Third Saturday in October at #20 Tennessee
- Oct. 31 — Bye week
- Nov. 28 — Iron Bowl vs. Auburn
- Dec. 5 — Potential SEC Championship in Atlanta, 4:00 p.m. ET, ABC
The 2026 Alabama football schedule opens with three early home games and builds toward classic rivalries and ranked tests. November will decide everything.
FAQ
When does Alabama open the 2026 season?
Alabama opens the 2026 season at home against East Carolina on Saturday, September 5 at 12:00 p.m. ET on ABC.
How many home games do the Alabama Crimson Tide have in 2026?
The Crimson Tide have seven home games at Bryant-Denny Stadium on the 2026 Alabama football schedule: East Carolina, Florida State, South Carolina, #3 Georgia, #8 Texas A&M, Chattanooga, and Auburn.
Who do the Alabama Crimson Tide play in the Iron Bowl?
On November 28 the Crimson Tide host Auburn in the Iron Bowl at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Time and TV are still TBA.
What channel are Alabama games on in 2026?
Confirmed networks include ABC, ABC/Disney+, and SECN+. Most SEC games remain TBA and will be assigned later in the year.
