The 2026 FCS Football Week 1 Schedule delivers a full slate of games across four days after a chaotic Week 0.
This weekend features potential FCS over FBS upsets, key non-conference battles and several ranked teams in action. No pure Top 25 matchups are on the board, but several ranked FCS programs face challenging road tests. The FCS Week 1 schedule 2026 includes everything from Thursday night openers to a Sunday afternoon HBCU showcase.
Here is the complete FCS football schedule today with every kickoff time and broadcast detail.
2026 FCS Football Week 1 Schedule – Thursday, Sept. 3
| Time (ET) | Matchup | TV / Stream |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 p.m. | Lindenwood at Stony Brook | FloSports |
| 7:00 p.m. | Bethune-Cookman at UCF | ESPN+ |
| 7:00 p.m. | UAlbany at Buffalo | ESPN+ |
| 7:00 p.m. | West Georgia at Kennesaw State | ESPN+ |
| 7:00 p.m. | Southern Illinois at Samford | ESPN+ |
| 8:00 p.m. | UAPB at Missouri | SEC Network |
| 8:00 p.m. | Eastern Illinois at Minnesota | Peacock |
| 9:00 p.m. | Idaho at Utah | ESPNU |
Friday, Sept. 4 – 2026 FCS Football Week 1 Schedule
| Time (ET) | Matchup | TV / Stream |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 p.m. | North Carolina A&T at Georgia State | ESPN+ |
| 7:00 p.m. | Indiana State at Purdue | Big Ten Network |
| 8:00 p.m. | Long Island at Kansas | ESPNU |
Saturday, Sept. 5 – Full FCS Week 1 Kickoff Times
| Time (ET) | Matchup | TV / Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Noon | Bryant at Army | CBSSN |
| Noon | Lafayette at UConn | WFSB |
| Noon | No. 5 Tarleton State at Bowling Green | ESPN+ |
| Noon | Stonehill at New Haven | NEC Front Row |
| 12:30 p.m. | No. 10 Lehigh at Georgetown | ESPN+ |
| 1:00 p.m. | SEMO at Iowa State | ESPN+ |
| 1:00 p.m. | No. 9 Youngstown State at Kentucky | SEC Network+ |
| 1:00 p.m. | Holy Cross at Colgate | ESPN+ |
| 1:30 p.m. | Gardner-Webb at Wofford | ESPN+ |
| 2:00 p.m. | No. 6 Rhode Island at Temple | ESPN+ |
| 2:00 p.m. | Sacred Heart at Monmouth | FloSports |
| 3:00 p.m. | Tennessee State at Georgia | SEC Network+ |
| 3:00 p.m. | Drake at No. 3 Montana | ESPN+ |
| 3:30 p.m. | Furman at Tennessee | SEC Network+ |
| 3:30 p.m. | Maine at Appalachian State | ESPN+ |
| 3:30 p.m. | The Citadel at Charlotte | ESPN+ |
| 3:30 p.m. | Towson at Navy | CBSSN |
| 3:30 p.m. | UTRGV at UTSA | ESPN+ |
| 3:30 p.m. | No. 24 Western Carolina at Campbell | FloSports |
| 3:30 p.m. | Fordham at North Dakota State | MW+ |
| 4:00 p.m. | St. Thomas at No. 8 North Dakota | ESPN+ |
| 4:15 p.m. | North Alabama at Arkansas | SEC Network |
| 5:00 p.m. | Alcorn State at Southern Miss | ESPN+ |
| 6:00 p.m. | Delaware State at No. 17 William & Mary | ESPN+ |
| 6:00 p.m. | Elon at Davidson | ESPN+ |
| 6:00 p.m. | Lane College at Alabama State | SWAC TV |
| 6:00 p.m. | Norfolk State at Old Dominion | ESPN+ |
| 6:00 p.m. | Presbyterian at No. 19 Mercer | ESPN+ |
| 6:00 p.m. | Richmond at Howard | MEAC Network |
| 6:00 p.m. | No. 12 Tennessee Tech at Chattanooga | ESPN+ |
| 6:00 p.m. | No. 18 Villanova at Bucknell | ESPN+ |
| 7:00 p.m. | No. 20 Abilene Christian at Texas Tech | FS1 |
| 7:00 p.m. | Charleston Southern at Georgia Southern | ESPN+ |
| 7:00 p.m. | Chicago State at UT Martin | ESPN+ |
| 7:00 p.m. | No. 15 Austin Peay at Vanderbilt | SEC Network+ |
| 7:00 p.m. | Eastern Kentucky at Jacksonville State | ESPN+ |
| 7:00 p.m. | Edward Waters at Jackson State | HBCU GO |
| 7:00 p.m. | Houston Christian at Rice | ESPN+ |
| 7:00 p.m. | No. 23 Idaho State at Utah State | CBSSN |
| 7:00 p.m. | Mercyhurst at New Mexico State | ESPN+ |
| 7:00 p.m. | Murray State at Middle Tennessee State | ESPN+ |
| 7:00 p.m. | Nicholls at Kansas State | ESPN+ |
| 7:00 p.m. | Southeastern Louisiana at South Alabama | ESPN+ |
| 7:00 p.m. | No. 25 West Florida at Central Arkansas | ESPN+ |
| 7:00 p.m. | Central State at Grambling State | SWAC TV |
| 7:00 p.m. | No. 4 Illinois State at Western Illinois | ESPN+ |
| 7:00 p.m. | Kentucky State at Southern | SWAC TV |
| 7:00 p.m. | Miles College at Alabama A&M | SWAC TV |
| 7:00 p.m. | Northern Iowa at Eastern Washington | ESPN+ |
| 7:30 p.m. | Northwestern State at Louisiana Tech | ESPN+ |
| 7:30 p.m. | VMI at Virginia Tech | ACC Network |
| 8:00 p.m. | East Texas A&M at No. 13 Stephen F. Austin | ESPN+ |
| 8:00 p.m. | Hampton at Maryland | Big Ten Network |
| 8:00 p.m. | No. 14 Lamar at Louisiana | ESPN+ |
| 8:00 p.m. | No. 2 South Dakota State at Northwestern | Big Ten Network |
| 8:00 p.m. | Utah Tech at BYU | ESPN+ |
| 8:00 p.m. | Central Washington at Cal Poly | ESPN+ |
| 8:00 p.m. | No. 11 South Dakota at Northern Colorado | ESPN+ |
| 8:00 p.m. | Weber State at Southern Utah | ESPN+ |
| 8:30 p.m. | Butler at No. 1 Montana State | ESPN+ |
| 9:30 p.m. | No. 22 Northern Arizona at Arizona | ESPN+ |
| 9:30 p.m. | Portland State at San Diego State | USA |
| 10:00 p.m. | Mississippi Valley State at Sacramento State | ESPN+ |
| 10:00 p.m. | Morgan State at Arizona | ESPN+ |
| 10:00 p.m. | No. 7 UC Davis at San Diego | ESPN+ |
Sunday, Sept. 6
| Time (ET) | Matchup | TV / Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Noon | Texas Southern at Prairie View A&M | ESPN2 |
| 3:00 p.m. | No. 21 South Carolina State at Florida A&M | ESPN |
How to Watch FCS Football Week 1
Most games stream on ESPN+ or conference-specific platforms. Linear options include SEC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPNU, FS1, CBSSN and ACC Network for select matchups. The Sunday Orange Blossom Classic between South Carolina State and Florida A&M airs on ESPN.
The 2026 FCS Football Week 1 Schedule offers a wide range of competitive and high-profile games. Ranked teams face tough road environments, several FCS programs travel to FBS venues, and HBCU matchups highlight the weekend. With kickoff times spread across four days, fans have plenty of options to follow the action from Thursday night through Sunday afternoon.
FAQ
When does the 2026 FCS Football Week 1 Schedule begin?
Games start Thursday, September 3, and run through Sunday, September 6.
What are the key FCS Week 1 kickoff times?
Most marquee games fall between noon and 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, with ranked teams spread throughout the afternoon and evening windows.
How to watch FCS football Week 1?
The majority of games stream on ESPN+. Select matchups air on SEC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPNU, FS1 and other linear channels.
Are there ranked teams on the FCS Week 1 schedule 2026?
Yes. Multiple Top 25 FCS programs are in action, including Montana State, South Dakota State, Montana, Illinois State and others.
What is the biggest game on the FCS football schedule today?
No. 21 South Carolina State vs. Florida A&M on Sunday (Orange Blossom Classic) and several ranked FCS vs. FBS matchups stand out.
