The California football schedule 2026 opens at home against UCLA on September 5 at 10:30 p.m. ET. The 2026 California football schedule features 13 regular-season games plus a possible ACC Championship berth, with a November bye and the annual matchup against Stanford near the finish.
Cal Memorial Stadium hosts seven home dates on the California football schedule 2026. The toughest stretch arrives in late October with back-to-back road games at ranked SMU and NC State.
2026 California Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | UCLA BruinsCal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA | 10:30pm ETESPN | ||
| Saturday | at Syracuse OrangeJMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, NY | 3:30pm ETACCN | ||
| Saturday | Wagner SeahawksCal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA | 3:30pm ETACCN | ||
| Friday | Clemson TigersCal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA | 10:30pm ETESPN | ||
| Saturday | at UNLV RebelsAllegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV | 3:30pm ETCBSSN | ||
| Saturday | Virginia Tech HokiesCal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Wake Forest Demon DeaconsCal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at 19 SMU MustangsGerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at NC State WolfpackCarter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | at Virginia CavaliersScott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Big Game | ||||
| Saturday | Stanford CardinalCal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Pitt PanthersCal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs ACC ChampionshipBank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC | 12:00pm ETABC | ||
How the California Football Schedule 2026 Sets Up
September delivers early primetime exposure on the California football schedule 2026. UCLA at home on ESPN, a road trip to Syracuse, Wagner at home, then Clemson in another late ESPN window. That opening month gives Cal two high-profile night games in Berkeley before the ACC slate intensifies.
October turns demanding. A trip to UNLV, Virginia Tech at home, Wake Forest at home, then consecutive road games at #19 SMU and NC State. Those two road tests in eight days will define the middle of the California football schedule 2026.
November starts with a bye, followed by a road game at Virginia, Stanford at home, and Pitt to close the regular season. The Stanford game remains the emotional high point every year.
Home Games at Cal Memorial Stadium
Seven home dates appear on the California football schedule 2026:
- September 5 vs. UCLA
- September 19 vs. Wagner
- September 25 vs. Clemson
- October 10 vs. Virginia Tech
- October 17 vs. Wake Forest
- November 21 vs. Stanford
- November 28 vs. Pitt
The UCLA and Clemson night games plus the Stanford matchup will draw the largest crowds in Berkeley.
The Games That Decide the Season
Three contests stand out on the California Golden Bears football schedule 2026.
The September 25 home date against Clemson is an early ACC measuring stick. The October 24–31 road stretch at SMU and NC State will likely decide whether Cal stays in the conference race. The November 21 game against Stanford always carries extra weight.
Win two of those three and the Golden Bears stay in control of their path to a possible December 5 ACC Championship appearance in Charlotte.
Where to Watch: TV and Streaming
Confirmed networks on the California TV schedule 2026:
- ESPN (Sept. 5 vs. UCLA and Sept. 25 vs. Clemson)
- ACCN (Sept. 12 at Syracuse and Sept. 19 vs. Wagner)
- CBSSN (Oct. 3 at UNLV)
- 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
- Sept. 5 — Season opener vs. UCLA, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Sept. 25 — Clemson at home, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Oct. 10 — Virginia Tech at home
- Nov. 7 — Bye week
- Nov. 21 — Stanford at home
- Dec. 5 — Potential ACC Championship in Charlotte, noon, ABC
The California Golden Bears football schedule 2026 mixes early national TV windows with a tough mid-season road stretch. November’s game against Stanford will still feel like the one that matters most.
FAQ
When does California open the 2026 season? California opens the 2026 season at home against UCLA on Saturday, September 5 at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
How many home games do the California Golden Bears have in 2026? The Golden Bears have seven home games at Cal Memorial Stadium on the California football schedule 2026: UCLA, Wagner, Clemson, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Stanford, and Pitt.
Who do the California Golden Bears play on November 21? On November 21 the Golden Bears host Stanford at Cal Memorial Stadium. Time and TV are still TBA.
What channel are California games on in 2026? Confirmed networks include ESPN, ACCN, CBSSN, and ABC. Most ACC games remain TBA and will be assigned later.
