Big 12 Goes Global Looking At the Blockbuster 2026 Football Schedule
IRVING, TX – The Big 12 Conference is rolling out a 2026 football schedule that promises to be nothing short of spectacular. This isn’t just about gridiron action; it’s a statement of ambition, featuring all 16 teams locked into nine conference games, alongside a whopping 13 non-conference clashes against fellow Power Four opponents and even a date with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
The Big 12 is taking its show on the road – across the Atlantic! The 2026 schedule is highlighted by the Conference’s bold global expansion, kicking off with a pair of games in Europe. The action begins bright and early on Saturday, August 29, with the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland, featuring an intriguing game between TCU and North Carolina. Then, in Week Three, the historic Union Jack Classic will see Arizona State and Kansas square off in a conference game at none other than Wembley Stadium in London, England, on Saturday, September 19. Talk about cross-continental flair!
Beyond the overseas game, the domestic non-conference slate is packed with compelling matchups. Week One sees Cincinnati host Boston College in a Power Four showdown. The intensity ramps up in Week Two as Kansas hosts Missouri in a renewed rivalry, Oklahoma State battles Oregon, and Utah hosts Arkansas. Later in Week Seven, BYU will play host to independent powerhouse Notre Dame.
The Conference grind itself kicks off early, with Arizona traveling to BYU in the second week of the season, followed by Houston at Texas Tech in Week Three. But as always, Big 12 football is defined by its fierce rivalry games. Starting in Week Seven, fans can circle their calendars for the classic Sunflower Showdown between Kansas vs. K-State in Manhattan, as well as TCU at Baylor. And in a nod to the Conference’s new additions, BYU and Utah will renew their rivalry in Salt Lake City during Week Seven. At the same time, the Territorial Cup between Arizona and Arizona State will light up Tucson during Thanksgiving week.
The 2026 Big 12 Football Championship is set for a prime-time slot on Friday, December 4, at 7 p.m. CT on ABC, live from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. This marks a strategic shift to a new Friday-Saturday rotation for the championship, designed to enhance national exposure and kick off Championship Weekend with a bang.
While the full kickoff times for the season’s opening weeks have yet to be announced, Big 12 television partners ESPN, FOX Sports, and TNT Sportswill make their selections soon. This 2026 football schedule truly represents a new era for the Big 12, balancing tradition with unprecedented global reach and setting the stage for an unforgettable season.
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