Alabama visits Lexington in Week 2. Texas A&M waits on the road in Week 3. By the time October arrives, the 2026 Kentucky Football Schedule has already thrown two ranked opponents at the Wildcats and is lining up more. LSU for Homecoming, Oklahoma on the road, and Tennessee in Knoxville keep the pressure high before the in-state rivalry with Louisville closes the year.
2026 Kentucky Wildcats Football Schedule
2026 Kentucky Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | vs Youngstown State PenguinsKroger Field, Lexington, KY | 1:00 PM ETSECN+ | Win 45-13 | |
| Saturday | vs Alabama Crimson TideKroger Field, Lexington, KY | 3:30 PM ETABC | Loss 45-17 | |
| Saturday | at Texas A&M AggiesKyle Field, College Station, TX | 3:30 PM ETESPN or ESPN2 | Win 31-21 | |
| Saturday | vs South Alabama JaguarsKroger Field, Lexington, KY | 12:45 PM ETSECN | Win 45-21 | |
| Saturday | at South Carolina GamecocksWilliams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC | 3:30–8:00 PM ETTV TBA | Win 35-34 (OT) | |
| Homecoming | ||||
| Saturday | vs LSU TigersKroger Field, Lexington, KY | 6:00–8:00 PM ETTV TBA | Win 35-34 (OT) | |
| Saturday | at Oklahoma SoonersGaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK | 3:30–8:00 PM ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Vanderbilt CommodoresKroger Field, Lexington, KY | 6:00–8:00 PM ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | at Tennessee VolunteersNeyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN | 6:00–8:00 PM ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Florida GatorsKroger Field, Lexington, KY | 6:00–8:00 PM ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Missouri TigersFaurot Field, Columbia, MO | 6:00–8:00 PM ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Louisville CardinalsKroger Field, Lexington, KY | 12:00–1:00 PM ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs SEC ChampionshipMercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA | 4:00 PM ETABC | ||
Last updated
September Comes Fast
The opening stretch leaves almost no room to breathe:
- Youngstown State at home
- Alabama at home
- Texas A&M on the road
- South Alabama at home
Two ranked games inside three weeks. How Kentucky football responds after the Alabama and Texas A&M tests will set the tone for everything that follows.
October Stays Difficult
The middle of the Kentucky SEC schedule includes:
- South Carolina on the road
- LSU at home for Homecoming
- Oklahoma in Norman
- Vanderbilt at home
- Then a bye
Hosting LSU on Homecoming weekend creates one of the biggest atmospheres of the year at Kroger Field. The trip to Norman the following week is the purest road test left on the board.
November Ends With Louisville
The final stretch features:
- Tennessee on the road
- Florida at home
- Missouri on the road
- Louisville at home to close the regular season
Neyland Stadium is never easy. The Governor’s Cup against Louisville still carries the most local weight no matter what the records say.
Bottom Line
Seven home games help. The early soft date helps. But the 2026 Kentucky football schedule is still defined by how Kentucky Wildcats football handles Alabama, Texas A&M, LSU and the late road games. Survive the front half and the back half becomes more manageable. Stumble early and the rest of the year turns into damage control.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Kentucky play its first game in 2026?
Saturday, September 5, at home against Youngstown State.
When is Kentucky vs Louisville?
November 28 at Kroger Field.
How many home games does Kentucky have?
Seven at Kroger Field.
What is the toughest stretch on the schedule?
September 12 through October 10 — Alabama, Texas A&M and LSU for Homecoming.
Where can I see the full Kentucky Football Schedule?
The complete 2026 Kentucky Football Schedule is listed above.
