The 2026 Kansas football schedule opens at home against LIU on September 4 at 8:00 p.m. ET. The 2026 Kansas Jayhawks football schedule features 12 regular-season games plus a potential Big 12 Championship appearance, with the Border Showdown against Missouri, an international game in London, and the Sunflower Showdown against Kansas State.
David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium hosts six home dates on the 2026 Kansas football schedule. The toughest stretch lands in mid-to-late October with a road trip to ranked Utah and the Sunflower Showdown at Kansas State.
2026 Kansas Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | LIU SharksDavid Booth Kansas Mem. Stadium, Lawrence, KS | 8:00pm ETESPNU | ||
| Border Showdown | ||||
| Friday | 25 Missouri TigersDavid Booth Kansas Mem. Stadium, Lawrence, KS | 8:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Union Jack Classic | ||||
| Saturday | vs Arizona State Sun DevilsWembley Stadium, London, England | 12:00pm ETFS1 | ||
| Saturday | Middle Tennessee Blue RaidersDavid Booth Kansas Mem. Stadium, Lawrence, KS | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at 21 Utah UtesRice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Sunflower Showdown | ||||
| Saturday | at Kansas State WildcatsBill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, KS | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Baylor BearsDavid Booth Kansas Mem. Stadium, Lawrence, KS | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at TCU Horned FrogsAmon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | UCF KnightsDavid Booth Kansas Mem. Stadium, Lawrence, KS | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at West Virginia MountaineersMountaineer Field, Morgantown, WV | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | 14 BYU CougarsDavid Booth Kansas Mem. Stadium, Lawrence, KS | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Oklahoma State CowboysBoone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Friday | vs Big 12 ChampionshipAT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX | 8:00pm ETABC | ||
How the 2026 Kansas Football Schedule Sets Up
September opens with two home games and an international matchup on the 2026 Kansas Jayhawks football schedule. LIU at home, the Border Showdown against #25 Missouri on FOX, and the Union Jack Classic against Arizona State at Wembley Stadium in London. That early stretch mixes a ranked home game with a unique neutral-site experience.
October brings Middle Tennessee at home, a road trip to #21 Utah, the Sunflower Showdown at Kansas State, Baylor at home, and a road game at TCU. The Utah and Kansas State games will define the middle of the season.
November features UCF at home, a road trip to West Virginia, #14 BYU at home, and a closer at Oklahoma State. That final stretch will decide seeding for a possible Big 12 Championship appearance.
Home Games at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium
Six home dates appear on the 2026 Kansas football schedule:
- September 4 vs. LIU
- September 11 vs. #25 Missouri (Border Showdown)
- October 3 vs. Middle Tennessee
- October 24 vs. Baylor
- November 7 vs. UCF
- November 21 vs. #14 BYU
The Missouri and BYU games will generate the strongest crowds in Lawrence.
The Games That Decide the Season
Three contests stand out on the 2026 Kansas football schedule.
The September 11 Border Showdown against #25 Missouri is an early measuring stick. The October 10 road trip to #21 Utah is a key ranked test. The October 17 Sunflower Showdown at Kansas State always carries extra weight.
Win two of those three and the Jayhawks stay in control of their path toward a possible December 4 Big 12 Championship appearance in Arlington.
Where to Watch Kansas Jayhawks Football: TV and Streaming
Confirmed networks on the Kansas TV schedule 2026:
- ESPNU (Sept. 4 vs. LIU)
- FOX (Sept. 11 vs. Missouri)
- FS1 (Sept. 19 vs. Arizona State in London)
- ABC (Dec. 4 Big 12 Championship)
Most remaining Big 12 games still list TV as TBA. Expect additional network assignments once the final slate is set.
Key Dates at a Glance
- Sept. 4 — Season opener vs. LIU, 8:00 p.m. ET, ESPNU
- Sept. 11 — Border Showdown vs. #25 Missouri, 8:00 p.m. ET, FOX
- Sept. 19 — Union Jack Classic vs. Arizona State in London, 12:00 p.m. ET, FS1
- Oct. 17 — Sunflower Showdown at Kansas State
- Nov. 21 — #14 BYU at home
- Dec. 4 — Potential Big 12 Championship in Arlington, 8:00 p.m. ET, ABC
The 2026 Kansas football schedule opens with a ranked home game and an international trip, then builds toward rivalry and ranked tests. November will decide everything.
FAQ
When does Kansas open the 2026 season?
Kansas opens the 2026 season at home against LIU on Friday, September 4 at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
How many home games do the Kansas Jayhawks have in 2026?
The Jayhawks have six home games at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on the 2026 Kansas football schedule: LIU, #25 Missouri, Middle Tennessee, Baylor, UCF, and #14 BYU.
Who do the Kansas Jayhawks play in the Sunflower Showdown?
On October 17 the Jayhawks travel to Bill Snyder Family Stadium to face Kansas State in the Sunflower Showdown. Time and TV are still TBA.
What channel are Kansas games on in 2026?
Confirmed networks include ESPNU, FOX, FS1, and ABC. Most Big 12 games remain TBA and will be assigned later in the year.
