The 2026 Louisville Football Schedule opens with a genuine measuring-stick game and does not slow down much after that. A Sunday night kickoff in Nashville against Ole Miss. Back-to-back home games under the Friday lights. And the Governor’s Cup closing out the year in Lexington. For Louisville Cardinals football, the early high-profile tests and the late rivalry closer against Kentucky will define the season. Here is the complete 2026 Louisville Football Schedule with dates, locations, times and television information.
2026 Louisville Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | vs Ole Miss RebelsNissan Stadium, Nashville, TN | 7:30 PM ETABC | Loss 41-38 | |
| Friday | vs Villanova WildcatsL&N Stadium, Louisville, KY | 7:00 PM ETACCN | Win 59-13 | |
| Saturday | vs SMU MustangsL&N Stadium, Louisville, KY | 3:30 PM ETESPN2 | Win 41-31 | |
| Saturday | vs Wake Forest Demon DeaconsL&N Stadium, Louisville, KY | 12:00 PM ETESPN/Disney+ | Loss 30-27 | |
| Saturday | at NC State WolfpackCarter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC | 3:30 PM ETACCN | Loss 31-28 | |
| Friday | vs Florida State SeminolesL&N Stadium, Louisville, KY | 7:00 PM ETESPN | Win 44-20 | |
| Saturday | at Syracuse OrangeJMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, NY | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | vs Stanford CardinalL&N Stadium, Louisville, KY | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsBobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at North Carolina Tar HeelsKenan Memorial Stadium, Chapel Hill, NC | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Pitt PanthersL&N Stadium, Louisville, KY | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Kentucky WildcatsKroger Field, Lexington, KY | 12:00–1:00 PM ETTV TBA | Governor’s Cup | |
| Saturday | vs ACC ChampionshipBank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC | 12:00 PM ETABC |
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Early Tests on the 2026 Louisville Football Schedule
A Nashville opener, then back-to-back home Friday nights
- Ole Miss in the Music City Kickoff
- Villanova at home
- SMU at home
- Wake Forest at home
Louisville Cardinals football opens with a Sunday night showcase against Ole Miss before three straight home dates. Those early high-profile opportunities set an aggressive tone.
The Middle of the Louisville ACC Schedule 2026
A road trip to Raleigh, then Florida State comes home
- NC State on the road
- Florida State at home under the lights
- Syracuse on the road
- Bye week
October opens with a trip to NC State before Florida State visits for another Friday night kickoff. The Louisville ACC schedule 2026 then sends the Cardinals to Syracuse before a bye offers a reset.
Stanford, Then a Road-Heavy November
Stanford at home, then two consecutive road games
- Stanford at home on Halloween
- Georgia Tech on the road
- North Carolina on the road
- Pitt at home
Stanford visits Louisville before the schedule turns travel-heavy. Georgia Tech and North Carolina both come on the road in consecutive weeks.
How the Year Closes
- Louisville vs Kentucky 2026 on the road
- ACC Championship if still alive
Louisville vs Kentucky 2026, the Governor’s Cup, caps the regular season at Kroger Field in Lexington. The rivalry always carries local bragging rights.
Louisville Football Home Games 2026
Louisville has seven true home games at L&N Stadium:
- Villanova (Sep 11)
- SMU (Sep 19)
- Wake Forest (Sep 26)
- Florida State (Oct 9)
- Stanford (Oct 31)
- Pitt (Nov 21)
The 2026 Louisville Football Schedule challenges Louisville Cardinals football from the opening night in Nashville through the final regular-season rivalry game. Seven home games at L&N Stadium provide a solid base, while the early Ole Miss test, the Florida State home date, and the late stretch against Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Kentucky will determine the ceiling. How the Cardinals respond to those high-stakes windows will shape the entire season narrative.
FAQ
When does Louisville football play its first game in 2026?
Louisville opens the 2026 Louisville Football Schedule against Ole Miss in the Music City Kickoff at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Sunday, September 6.
When is Louisville vs Kentucky 2026?
Louisville vs Kentucky 2026, the Governor’s Cup, is set for Saturday, November 28, on the road at Kroger Field in Lexington.
How many home games does Louisville play in 2026?
Louisville has seven Louisville football home games in 2026 at L&N Stadium: Villanova, SMU, Wake Forest, Florida State, Stanford, and Pitt.
What is Louisville’s toughest stretch on the 2026 schedule?
The road-heavy run from Georgia Tech through North Carolina in mid-November is the toughest travel stretch on the Louisville ACC schedule 2026, alongside the Ole Miss and SMU games in September.
