The 2026 Stanford football schedule opens at home against Hawaii on August 29 at 7:00 p.m. ET. The2026 Stanford Cardinal football schedule features 13 regular-season games plus a potential ACC Championship berth, with two bye weeks and high-profile home dates against ranked Miami and SMU.
Stanford Stadium hosts six home dates on the 2026 Stanford football schedule. The toughest stretch lands in October with a road trip to #4 Notre Dame and a late-night home game against NC State.
2026 Stanford Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Hawaii Rainbow WarriorsStanford Stadium, Stanford, CA | 7:00pm ETACCN | ||
| Friday | 7 Miami (FL) HurricanesStanford Stadium, Stanford, CA | 9:00pm ETESPN | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | at Duke Blue DevilsWallace Wade Stadium, Durham, NC | 4:00pm ETThe CW | ||
| Saturday | Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsStanford Stadium, Stanford, CA | 10:30pm ETESPN | ||
| Saturday | at Wake Forest Demon DeaconsAllegacy Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at 4 Notre Dame Fighting IrishNotre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, IN | 3:30pm ETNBC/Peacock | ||
| Saturday | Elon PhoenixStanford Stadium, Stanford, CA | 7:30pm ETACCNX | ||
| Friday | NC State WolfpackStanford Stadium, Stanford, CA | 10:30pm ETESPN | ||
| Saturday | at 24 Louisville CardinalsL&N Stadium, Louisville, KY | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | at Virginia Tech HokiesLane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Big Game | ||||
| Saturday | at California Golden BearsCal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | 19 SMU MustangsStanford Stadium, Stanford, CA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs ACC ChampionshipBank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC | 12:00pm ETABC | ||
How the 2026 Stanford Football Schedule Sets Up
August and early September deliver early national exposure on the 2026 Stanford football schedule. Hawaii at home, #7 Miami at home on ESPN, a bye, a road trip to Duke, and Georgia Tech at home in a late ESPN window. That opening stretch mixes two high-profile home games with an early recovery week.
October brings a road game at Wake Forest, a trip to #4 Notre Dame on NBC/Peacock, Elon at home, a late-night home game against NC State on ESPN, and a road trip to #24 Louisville. The Notre Dame game is the clearest national measuring stick on the slate.
November features a bye, a road game at Virginia Tech, the Big Game at California, and #19 SMU at home. That final stretch will decide seeding for a possible ACC Championship appearance.
Home Games at Stanford Stadium
Six home dates appear on thev2026 Stanford football schedule:
- August 29 vs. Hawaii
- September 4 vs. #7 Miami
- September 26 vs. Georgia Tech
- October 17 vs. Elon
- October 23 vs. NC State
- November 28 vs. #19 SMU
The Miami, NC State and SMU games will generate the strongest crowds on The Farm.
The Games That Decide the Season
Three contests stand out on the Stanford football schedule 2026.
The September 4 home game against #7 Miami is an early ACC measuring stick. The October 10 road trip to #4 Notre Dame is the biggest national stage. The November 21 Big Game at California always carries extra weight, regardless of records.
Win two of those three and the Cardinal stay in control of their path toward a possible December 5 ACC Championship appearance in Charlotte.
Where to Watch Stanford Cardinal football: TV and Streaming
Confirmed networks on the Stanford TV schedule 2026:
- ACCN (Aug. 29 vs. Hawaii)
- ESPN (Sept. 4 vs. Miami, Sept. 26 vs. Georgia Tech, and Oct. 23 vs. NC State)
- The CW (Sept. 19 at Duke)
- NBC/Peacock (Oct. 10 at Notre Dame)
- ACCNX (Oct. 17 vs. Elon)
- ABC (Dec. 5 ACC Championship)
Most remaining ACC games still list TV as TBA. Expect the usual mix of ESPN networks and ACC Network once the final assignments drop.
Key Dates at a Glance
- Aug. 29 — Season opener vs. Hawaii, 7:00 p.m. ET, ACCN
- Sept. 4 — #7 Miami at home, 9:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Oct. 10 — At #4 Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock
- Nov. 21 — Big Game at California
- Nov. 28 — #19 SMU at home
- Dec. 5 — Potential ACC Championship in Charlotte, noon, ABC
The 2026 Stanford football schedule opens with two high-profile home games and builds toward ranked tests and the Big Game. November will decide everything.
FAQ
When does Stanford open the 2026 season?
Stanford opens the 2026 season at home against Hawaii on Saturday, August 29 at 7:00 p.m. ET on ACCN.
How many home games do the Stanford Cardinal have in 2026?
The Cardinal have six home games at Stanford Stadium on the Stanford football schedule 2026: Hawaii, #7 Miami, Georgia Tech, Elon, NC State, and #19 SMU.
Who do the Stanford Cardinal play in the Big Game?
On November 21 the Cardinal travel to Cal Memorial Stadium to face California in the Big Game. Time and TV are still TBA.
What channel are Stanford games on in 2026?
Confirmed networks include ACCN, ESPN, The CW, NBC/Peacock, ACCNX, and ABC. Most ACC games remain TBA and will be assigned later in the year.
