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 No. 12 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 | No. 12 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 No. 23 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 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 No. 23 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.
The Bottom Line
Between Arkansas, BYU, and the closing trip to TCU, Utah’s schedule carries real weight both early and late. The Utah football home games in 2026 include the year’s biggest rivalry date, but how the Utes handle the road trip to TCU right before their Friday night finale will decide how the season ends.
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 No. 12 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.
