A Monday night home game against SMU. A road trip to Alabama in Week 4. And Louisville, Miami, and Clemson all packed inside a five-week stretch. The 2026 Florida State football schedule doesn’t wait long to get interesting.
2026 Florida State Football Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Aug 29 | New Mexico State Aggies | Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL | 7:00 PM | The CW |
| Mon, Sep 7 | SMU Mustangs | Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL | 7:30 PM | ESPN |
| Sat, Sep 12 | — | OFF | — | — |
| Sat, Sep 19 | at Alabama Crimson Tide | Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL | 3:30 PM | ABC |
| Sat, Sep 26 | Central Arkansas Bears | Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL | Time TBA | TV TBA |
| Sat, Oct 3 | Virginia Cavaliers | Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL | Time TBA | TV TBA |
| Fri, Oct 9 | at Louisville Cardinals | L&N Stadium, Louisville, KY | 7:00 PM | ESPN |
| Sat, Oct 17 | at Miami (FL) Hurricanes | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL | Time TBA | TV TBA |
| Sat, Oct 24 | — | OFF | — | — |
| Sat, Oct 31 | Clemson Tigers | Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL | Time TBA | TV TBA |
| Sat, Nov 7 | at Boston College Eagles | Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, MA | Time TBA | TV TBA |
| Fri, Nov 13 | at Pitt Panthers | Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA | 7:00 PM | ESPN |
| Sat, Nov 21 | NC State Wolfpack (Homecoming) | Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL | Time TBA | TV TBA |
| Fri, Nov 27 | Florida Gators | Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL | 3:30 PM | ABC |
| Sat, Dec 5 | ACC Championship | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC | 12:00 PM | ABC |
An Unusual Opener, Then Alabama Looms
Florida State opens the 2026 Florida State football schedule on a Saturday against New Mexico State before a rare Monday night home game against SMU on September 7 — a scheduling quirk that gives the Seminoles a national stage in Week 2. A bye week on September 12 sets up the first real test of the season: a trip to Alabama on September 19, one of the toughest non-conference road games on the entire ACC calendar.
A Manageable Middle, Then the Gauntlet Begins
Central Arkansas and Virginia give Doak Campbell two straight home dates before the Florida State ACC schedule 2026 turns brutal. A Friday night trip to Louisville opens a stretch that continues at Miami the following week — Florida State vs Miami 2026 remains one of the fiercest rivalries in the conference regardless of either team’s record — before a bye week on October 24 offers a much-needed pause.
Clemson, Boston College, and Pitt
Clemson visits Tallahassee on Halloween, followed by a road trip to Boston College and a Friday night game at Pitt on November 13 — three straight tests against ACC contenders, with travel mixed in throughout.
Homecoming, Then the Rivalry Finale
NC State visits for Homecoming on November 21 before the regular season closes with the annual rivalry against Florida State vs Florida 2026 on a Friday, November 27, at Doak Campbell Stadium. If the Seminoles are still playing December 5, it’s in Charlotte for the ACC Championship.
The Bottom Line
Between Alabama, Louisville, Miami, and Clemson, Florida State faces a demanding six-week stretch from mid-September through Halloween. The Florida State football home games in 2026 offer real cover down the stretch, but how this team handles that October gauntlet will decide the whole season.
FAQ
Q: When does Florida State football play its first game in 2026?
A: Florida State opens the 2026 Florida State football schedule at home against New Mexico State on Saturday, August 29, at Doak Campbell Stadium.
Q: When is Florida State vs Florida 2026?
A: Florida State vs Florida 2026 closes the regular season on Friday, November 27, at home at Doak Campbell Stadium, kickoff at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Q: How many home games does Florida State play in 2026?
A: Florida State has eight Florida State football home games in 2026 at Doak Campbell Stadium: New Mexico State, SMU, Central Arkansas, Virginia, Clemson, NC State, and Florida.
Q: What is Florida State’s toughest stretch on the 2026 schedule?
A: The run from Louisville (road) through Miami (road) and eventually Clemson (home) — October 9 through October 31 — is the toughest stretch on the Florida State ACC schedule 2026, alongside the September 19 road trip to Alabama.
