A home opener against HCU, then a trip to Notre Dame in Week 2. A late-night road game at Fresno State that kicks off at 10:00 p.m. ET. And a Thursday night visit to Temple in November. That is the shape of the 2026 Rice Football Schedule.
How the season opens
- HCU at home on Sept. 5
- Road game at Notre Dame on Sept. 12
- Western Michigan at home on Sept. 19
- Late-night trip to Fresno State on Sept. 26
Rice Owls football starts with a home date, then faces one of the toughest non-conference tests in the country. After that, Western Michigan returns the Owls to Houston. A 10:00 p.m. ET kickoff in Fresno then closes out a hard first month.
October slate and the open date
- UTSA at home on Oct. 3
- Road trip to East Carolina on Oct. 10
- Tulsa at home on Oct. 17
- Road game at Florida Atlantic on Oct. 24
- Bye week on Oct. 31
Those two home games give the roster short resets. From there, the Rice AAC schedule mixes a long trip to Greenville with a visit from Tulsa before the Owls head to Boca Raton. The open date on Halloween offers a chance to recover.
Homecoming and the finish
- Road trip to North Texas on Nov. 7
- Tulane for Homecoming on Nov. 14
- Thursday night at Temple on Nov. 19
- Army at home on Nov. 28
Tulane under the lights is one of the bigger home dates of the year. Just five days later, the Owls hit the road for a short-week game in Philadelphia. Army then wraps the regular season at Rice Stadium. If Rice reaches the American Championship, that game is set for Dec. 5.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Rice open the 2026 season?
Saturday, Sept. 5 at home against HCU at Rice Stadium, 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
When is Rice vs Notre Dame 2026?
Saturday, Sept. 12 on the road at Notre Dame Stadium, 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock.
How many home games are on the schedule?
Six at Rice Stadium: HCU, Western Michigan, UTSA, Tulsa, Tulane and Army.
What is the toughest stretch of the year?
The short-week run from Tulane (home) through Temple (road, Thursday), along with the early trip to Notre Dame.
Where is the full Rice Football Schedule listed?
The complete 2026 Rice Football Schedule with dates, times and TV info is in the table above.
