A Thursday night opener against Idaho. Arkansas visiting Salt Lake City for a kickoff that doesn’t start until 10:15 p.m. ET. And BYU coming to town in November. The Utah Football Schedule 2026 leans on late kickoffs early before settling into the heart of Big 12 play.
Utah Football Schedule 2026
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Sep 3 | Idaho Vandals | Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT | 9:00 PM | ESPNU |
| Sat, Sep 12 | Arkansas Razorbacks | Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT | 10:15 PM | ESPN |
| Sat, Sep 19 | Utah State Aggies (Battle of the Brothers) | Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT | 3:30 PM | FOX |
| Sat, Sep 26 | at Iowa State Cyclones | Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA | Time TBA | TV TBA |
| Sat, Oct 3 | — | OFF | — | — |
| Sat, Oct 10 | Kansas Jayhawks | Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT | Time TBA | TV TBA |
| Sat, Oct 17 | at Colorado Buffaloes | Folsom Field, Boulder, CO | Time TBA | TV TBA |
| Sat, Oct 24 | Houston Cougars | Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT | Time TBA | TV TBA |
| Sat, Oct 31 | at Cincinnati Bearcats | Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, OH | Time TBA | TV TBA |
| Sat, Nov 7 | BYU Cougars | Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT | Time TBA | TV TBA |
| Sat, Nov 14 | at Arizona Wildcats | Casino Del Sol Stadium, Tucson, AZ | Time TBA | TV TBA |
| Sat, Nov 21 | at TCU Horned Frogs | Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX | Time TBA | TV TBA |
| Fri, Nov 27 | West Virginia Mountaineers | Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT | 9:00 PM | FOX |
| Fri, Dec 4 | Big 12 Championship | AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX | 8:00 PM | ABC |
A Thursday Night Opener, Then a Late Kickoff Against Arkansas
Utah Utes Football Schedule 2026 opens on a Thursday night against Idaho before Arkansas visits Rice-Eccles Stadium for a 10:15 p.m. ET kickoff on September 12 — one of the latest starts of the season anywhere in the country. The Battle of the Brothers against Utah State follows a week later, a rivalry that always draws a packed house regardless of either team’s record.
A Road Trip to Iowa State, Then a Bye
Utah hits the road for Iowa State to close out September before a bye week on October 3 gives the Utes time to recover. The Utah Big 12 schedule 2026 then settles into a run of Kansas at home, a trip to Colorado, and Houston back in Salt Lake City.
A Road Swing to Cincinnati, Then BYU Comes to Town
A road trip to Cincinnati closes out October before Utah vs BYU 2026 delivers the biggest home date of the season on November 7 — the rivalry that never needs extra stakes attached, regardless of either team’s standing.
Closing on the Road at TCU, Then a Friday Night Finale
A trip to Arizona opens the closing stretch before a road game at TCU on November 21 — the toughest true road test remaining on the schedule. West Virginia closes out the regular season with a Friday night, 9:00 p.m. ET kickoff in Salt Lake City. If Utah is still playing December 4, it’s in Arlington for the Big 12 Championship.
FAQ
Q: When does Utah play its first game on the 2026 schedule?
A: Utah Football Schedule 2026 opens at home against Idaho on Thursday, September 3, at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Q: When is Utah vs BYU 2026?
A: Utah vs BYU 2026 is set for Saturday, November 7, at home at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, with BYU visiting.
Q: How many home games does Utah play in 2026?
A: Utah has seven Utah football home games in 2026 at Rice-Eccles Stadium: Idaho, Arkansas, Utah State, Kansas, Houston, BYU, and West Virginia.
Q: What is Utah’s toughest stretch on the 2026 schedule?
A: The run from BYU (home) through Arizona (road) and TCU (road) — November 7 through November 21 — is the toughest closing stretch on the Utah Big 12 schedule 2026.
