The 2026 UCF football schedule opens at home against Bethune-Cookman on September 3 at 7:00 p.m. ET. The 2026 UCF Knights football schedule features 12 regular-season games plus a potential Big 12 Championship appearance, with a mid-October bye and high-profile home dates against ranked BYU and several Big 12 opponents.
Acrisure Bounce House hosts seven home dates on the 2026 UCF football schedule. The toughest stretch lands in early-to-mid October with consecutive road games at ranked Houston and Oklahoma State before the bye.
2026 UCF Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | Bethune-Cookman WildcatsAcrisure Bounce House, Orlando, FL | 7:00pm ETESPN+ | ||
| Saturday | at Pitt PanthersAcrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA | 3:30pm ETESPN2 | ||
| Saturday | Georgia State PanthersAcrisure Bounce House, Orlando, FL | 7:00pm ETESPN+ | ||
| Saturday | TCU Horned FrogsAcrisure Bounce House, Orlando, FL | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at 23 Houston CougarsTDECU Stadium, Houston, TX | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Oklahoma State CowboysBoone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | 14 BYU CougarsAcrisure Bounce House, Orlando, FL | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Friday | Baylor BearsAcrisure Bounce House, Orlando, FL | 7:30pm ETESPN | ||
| Saturday | at Kansas JayhawksDavid Booth Kansas Mem. Stadium, Lawrence, KS | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Arizona State Sun DevilsAcrisure Bounce House, Orlando, FL | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Friday | Iowa State CyclonesAcrisure Bounce House, Orlando, FL | 6:00pm ETFS1 | ||
| Saturday | at Colorado BuffaloesFolsom Field, Boulder, CO | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Friday | vs Big 12 ChampionshipAT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX | 8:00pm ETABC |
How the 2026 UCF Football Schedule Sets Up
September opens with a mix of home and road games on the 2026 UCF Knights football schedule. Bethune-Cookman at home, a road trip to Pitt, Georgia State at home, and TCU at home. That early stretch gives the Knights three home dates and one road contest before Big 12 play intensifies.
October brings consecutive road games at #23 Houston and Oklahoma State, the bye week, then home dates against #14 BYU and Baylor on ESPN. The ranked home game against BYU is the clearest mid-season measuring stick.
November features a road trip to Kansas, Arizona State at home, Iowa State at home on FS1, and a closer at Colorado. That final stretch will decide seeding for a possible Big 12 Championship appearance.
Home Games at Acrisure Bounce House
Seven home dates appear on the 2026 UCF football schedule:
- September 3 vs. Bethune-Cookman
- September 19 vs. Georgia State
- September 26 vs. TCU
- October 24 vs. #14 BYU
- October 30 vs. Baylor
- November 14 vs. Arizona State
- November 20 vs. Iowa State
The BYU and Baylor games will generate the strongest crowds in Orlando.
The Games That Decide the Season
Three contests stand out on the 2026 UCF football schedule.
The October 3 road game at #23 Houston is an early Big 12 measuring stick. The October 24 home date against #14 BYU is a key ranked test. The October 30 home game against Baylor on ESPN will likely decide mid-season momentum.
Win two of those three and the Knights stay in control of their path toward a possible December 4 Big 12 Championship appearance in Arlington.
Where to Watch UCF Knights football: TV and Streaming
Confirmed networks on the UCF TV schedule 2026:
- ESPN+ (Sept. 3 vs. Bethune-Cookman and Sept. 19 vs. Georgia State)
- ESPN2 (Sept. 12 at Pitt)
- ESPN (Oct. 30 vs. Baylor)
- FS1 (Nov. 20 vs. Iowa State)
- 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. 3 — Season opener vs. Bethune-Cookman, 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN+
- Oct. 3 — At #23 Houston
- Oct. 17 — Bye week
- Oct. 24 — #14 BYU at home
- Oct. 30 — Baylor at home, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Dec. 4 — Potential Big 12 Championship in Arlington, 8:00 p.m. ET, ABC
The 2026 UCF football schedule opens with three home games and builds toward ranked tests after the bye. November will decide everything.
FAQ
When does UCF open the 2026 season?
UCF opens the 2026 season at home against Bethune-Cookman on Thursday, September 3 at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
How many home games do the UCF Knights have in 2026?
The Knights have seven home games at Acrisure Bounce House on the 2026 UCF football schedule: Bethune-Cookman, Georgia State, TCU, #14 BYU, Baylor, Arizona State, and Iowa State.
Who do the UCF Knights play on October 24?
On October 24 the Knights host #14 BYU at Acrisure Bounce House. Time and TV are still TBA.
What channel are UCF games on in 2026?
Confirmed networks include ESPN+, ESPN2, ESPN, FS1, and ABC. Most Big 12 games remain TBA and will be assigned later in the year.
