Oregon State opens the year at TDECU Stadium. A Friday night road trip to Texas Tech follows two weeks later. And a closing stretch that runs through Utah, Cincinnati, and a late Friday night game in Boulder. The 2026 Houston Football Schedule puts real distance and difficulty in front of the Cougars before the year is out.
Houston Cougars football opens at home, faces early road tests, and ends with a demanding late-season travel slate. Here is the complete 2026 Houston Football Schedule with dates, locations, times and television information.
2026 Houston Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Oregon State BeaversTDECU Stadium, Houston, TX | 12:00 PM ETESPN | ||
| Saturday | Southern JaguarsTDECU Stadium, Houston, TX | 7:00 PM ETESPN+ | ||
| Friday | at Texas Tech Red RaidersGalaxy Stadium, Lubbock, TX | 8:00 PM ETFOX | ||
| Saturday | at Georgia Southern EaglesPaulson Stadium, Statesboro, GA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | UCF KnightsTDECU Stadium, Houston, TX | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Kansas State WildcatsBill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, KS | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Oklahoma State CowboysTDECU Stadium, Houston, TX | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Utah UtesRice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | Cincinnati BearcatsTDECU Stadium, Houston, TX | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Friday | at Colorado BuffaloesFolsom Field, Boulder, CO | 10:15 PM ETESPN | ||
| Saturday | at West Virginia MountaineersMountaineer Field, Morgantown, WV | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Baylor BearsTDECU Stadium, Houston, TX | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Friday | vs Big 12 ChampionshipAT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX | 8:00 PM ETABC |
A Home-Heavy Start, Then Texas Tech on the Road
Houston Cougars Football Schedule 2026 opens with two straight home games — Oregon State and Southern — before a Friday night road trip to Texas Tech on September 18, the toughest early test of the year. A road trip to Georgia Southern closes out an opening month that leans heavily on travel after the home opener.
That early road challenge at Texas Tech will test readiness right away.
UCF at Home, Then a Road Swing
UCF visits TDECU Stadium in October before Houston hits the road for Kansas State. Oklahoma State returns the Cougars home before the Houston Big 12 schedule 2026 sends them to Utah on October 24 — the toughest true road test remaining on the schedule, coming right before a timely bye week.
Cincinnati at Home, Then a Late Friday Night in Boulder
Cincinnati visits TDECU Stadium on November 7 before Houston heads to Colorado for a late 10:15 p.m. ET kickoff on a Friday night. A trip to West Virginia follows before the regular season closes at home against Baylor on November 28. If Houston is still playing December 4, the Cougars will be in Arlington for the Big 12 Championship.
Houston Football Home Games 2026
Houston has six home games at TDECU Stadium in 2026: Oregon State, Southern, UCF, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati and Baylor. The dates against UCF, Oklahoma State and Cincinnati offer solid mid-season opportunities at home.
The 2026 Houston Football Schedule features an early home start, significant mid-season road tests, and a late stretch that includes Utah, Colorado and West Virginia. How the Cougars handle the Friday night trip to Texas Tech, the road game at Utah, and the late Friday night in Boulder will shape the entire season.
FAQ
When does Houston play its first game on the 2026 schedule?
Houston Football Schedule 2026 opens at home against Oregon State on Saturday, September 5, at TDECU Stadium.
When is Houston vs Texas Tech 2026?
Houston vs Texas Tech 2026 is set for Friday, September 18, on the road at Galaxy Stadium in Lubbock, kickoff at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
How many home games does Houston play in 2026?
Houston has six Houston football home games in 2026 at TDECU Stadium: Oregon State, Southern, UCF, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati and Baylor.
What is Houston’s toughest stretch on the 2026 schedule?
The run from Texas Tech (road) through Utah (road), with Cincinnati and a Friday night trip to Colorado following in November, makes up the toughest stretch on the Houston Big 12 schedule 2026.
