The 2026 California Football Schedule wastes no time throwing everything at the Bears.
A late-night rivalry opener against UCLA. A cross-country trip to Syracuse a week later. And a home date against Clemson under the lights before September is even over. For California Golden Bears football, the early high-profile tests and the late rivalry closer against Stanford will define the season.
Here is the complete 2026 California Football Schedule with dates, locations, times and television information.
2026 California Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | UCLA BruinsCal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA | 10:30 PM ETESPN | ||
| Saturday | at Syracuse OrangeJMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, NY | 3:30 PM ETACCN | ||
| Saturday | Wagner SeahawksCal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA | 3:30 PM ETACCN | ||
| Friday | Clemson TigersCal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA | 10:30 PM ETESPN | ||
| Saturday | at UNLV RebelsAllegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV | 3:30 PM ETCBSSN | ||
| Homecoming | ||||
| Saturday | Virginia Tech HokiesCal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Wake Forest Demon DeaconsCal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at SMU MustangsGerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at NC State WolfpackCarter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | at Virginia CavaliersScott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Big Game | ||||
| Saturday | Stanford CardinalCal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Pitt PanthersCal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs ACC ChampionshipBank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC | 12:00 PM ETABC | ||
A Rivalry Opener, Then a Cross-Country Trip
California opens the 2026 California Golden Bears football schedule with a late-night rivalry game against UCLA on September 5, then immediately heads east for a trip to Syracuse — about as jarring a travel swing as the schedule offers. Wagner gives Berkeley a breather on September 19 before Clemson visits for a Friday night showdown under the lights on September 25. For California Golden Bears football, those early high-profile home dates set an aggressive tone right away.
A Manageable Middle, Then SMU and NC State
A road trip to UNLV opens October, followed by Virginia Tech for Homecoming and Wake Forest at home. Then the California ACC schedule 2026 turns difficult again — a trip to SMU on October 24 is followed immediately by a road game at NC State, back-to-back true road tests before a bye week on November 7 gives the Bears a chance to reset. Surviving that stretch intact would put California in strong position.
Virginia, Stanford, and Pitt Close It Out
California heads to Virginia on November 14 before returning home for the Big Game against Stanford on November 21 — the oldest rivalry on the West Coast, still circled every year regardless of either team’s record. Pitt closes out the regular season at Cal Memorial Stadium on November 28. If California vs Clemson 2026 was the season’s early measuring stick, the ACC Championship in Charlotte on December 5 is the ultimate goal if the Bears get there.
The 2026 California Football Schedule challenges California Golden Bears football from the opening late-night rivalry through the final regular-season home game. Eight home games at Cal Memorial Stadium provide a strong base, while the early cross-country trip, the Clemson home date, and the late stretch against SMU, NC State, Virginia and Stanford will determine the ceiling. How the Bears respond to those high-stakes windows will shape the entire season narrative.
FAQ
When does California football play its first game in 2026?
California opens the 2026 California Football Schedule at home against UCLA on Saturday, September 5, at Cal Memorial Stadium.
When is California vs Clemson 2026?
California vs Clemson 2026 is set for Friday, September 25, at home at Cal Memorial Stadium, kickoff at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
How many home games does California play in 2026?
California has eight California football home games in 2026 at Cal Memorial Stadium: UCLA, Wagner, Clemson, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Stanford, and Pitt.
What is California’s toughest stretch on the 2026 schedule?
The back-to-back road trips to SMU and NC State in late October, combined with the early Clemson home date and the late Big Game against Stanford, form the toughest overall stretch on the California ACC schedule 2026.
