UCLA under the lights. Clemson on a Friday night. Stanford still waiting in November. That is the early shape of the 2026 California Football Schedule.
2026 California Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | vs UCLA BruinsCal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA | 10:30 PM ETESPN | Loss 45-24 | |
| Saturday | at Syracuse OrangeJMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, NY | 3:30 PM ETACCN | Win 21-18 | |
| Saturday | vs Wagner SeahawksCal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA | 3:30 PM ETACCN | Win 49-7 | |
| Friday | vs Clemson TigersCal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA | 10:30 PM ETESPN | Loss 24-10 | |
| Saturday | at UNLV RebelsAllegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV | 3:30 PM ETCBSSN | Loss 39-31 | |
| Saturday | vs Virginia Tech HokiesCal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA | 3:30 PM ETACCN | Win 25-20 | |
| Saturday | vs Wake Forest Demon DeaconsCal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA | 10:30 PM ETESPN2 | Loss 41-7 | |
| Saturday | at SMU MustangsGerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX | 12:00 PM ETTV TBA | Loss 59-20 | |
| Saturday | at NC State WolfpackCarter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC | 12:00 PM ETTV TBA | Loss 31-10 | |
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | at Virginia CavaliersScott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Stanford CardinalCal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | Big Game | |
| Saturday | vs Pitt PanthersCal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs ACC ChampionshipBank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC | 12:00 PM ETABC |
Last updated
What the early slate actually looks like
- UCLA at home, 10:30 p.m. ET
- Syracuse on a cross-country road trip
- Wagner for the only soft date in September
- Clemson under the lights on a Friday night
California Golden Bears football opens with two primetime home games against major programs. There is no quiet start here.
Where the season can tilt
- Virginia Tech for Homecoming
- Wake Forest at home
- SMU in Dallas
- NC State in Raleigh
Those back-to-back true road games late in October are the first real depth test on the California ACC schedule. The bye comes right after, which helps, because harder dates are still ahead.
The one game that still matters most
- Stanford at home on Nov. 21 (Big Game)
- Virginia on the road the week before
- Pitt to close the regular season
The Big Game does not care about records. For California football, that Saturday still carries more weight than almost anything else on the calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the California vs UCLA game?
September 5 at Cal Memorial Stadium, 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Does California host Clemson in 2026?
Yes. Friday, September 25, under the lights in Berkeley.
How many true home games are on the schedule?
Eight at Cal Memorial Stadium.
When is the Big Game against Stanford?
November 21 in Berkeley.
Where is the full California Football Schedule listed?
Above, with every date, time and TV assignment available so far.
