2026 College Football Season Start Date Announced
The excitement for the 2026 college football season is building, especially following Indiana’s victory in the 2025-26 College Football Playoff. Fans are eagerly awaiting the season start, which promises thrilling matchups.
2026 College Football Season Start Date Announced
The 2026 college football season is scheduled to commence on Thursday, August 27, marking the beginning of “Week Zero.” Most Division I teams will officially start their seasons the following weekend.
Week Zero Scheduled Games
Several games are slated for Week Zero, providing fans with an early taste of the action:
- August 27: Mercyhurst at Youngstown State (6 p.m. ET)
- August 27: Charleston Southern at Lindenwood (7 p.m. ET)
- August 27: Central Arkansas at UT Martin
- August 27: Eastern Illinois at Murray State
- August 27: Maine at Towson
- August 27: Stony Brook at Delaware State
- August 27: LIU at North Dakota
Additional games include:
- August 28: Marist at New Haven
- August 28: New Hampshire at UAlbany
- August 28: Rhode Island at Merrimack
Kickoff for Week 1
Week 1 will start on Saturday, September 5, around Labor Day weekend, featuring numerous exciting games:
- September 3: Eastern Illinois at Minnesota
- September 4: Miami (FL) at Stanford
- September 5: Clemson at LSU
- September 5: Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame (in Green Bay, WI)
Upcoming Matchups and Highlights
Several non-conference matchups to highlight include:
- September 10: Florida A&M at Miami (FL)
- September 11: Rutgers at Boston College
College Football Playoff Structure for 2026
The 2026 season marks the 13th iteration of the College Football Playoff and the third in its current 12-team format.
Key Dates for the Playoff
- First Round: Week of Saturday, December 19
- Quarterfinals: Fiesta Bowl on December 30, Cotton Bowl, Rose Bowl, and Peach Bowl on January 1
- Semifinals: Orange Bowl on January 14, Sugar Bowl on January 15
- National Championship Game: January 25, 2027, at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
This championship game will mark the first time Las Vegas hosts the event, further adding to the excitement of the 2026 college football season.
As preparations continue, fans are urged to keep an eye out for any updates regarding game times and additional matchups. For more details, visit Filmogaz.com for the latest college football news.
