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When is College Football Kickoff 2026?
College Football Kickoff 2026 is on Thursday, August 27, 2026 — that's 25 days (3 weeks) from today.
Below you'll find the exact date, the day of the week, a live countdown, and everything you need to plan ahead — plus a free iPhone widget that keeps College Football Kickoff on your home screen.
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College Football Kickoff
Outside
Free iPhone app with home screen widgets. Used by 300k+ people.
College Football Kickoff 2026 Dates & Schedule
| Date | Week Zero begins Thursday, August 27, 2026; the main Week 1 slate is Saturday, September 5 |
|---|---|
| Status | Confirmed |
| Day of week | Thursday |
| Countdown | 25 days (3 weeks) |
| Time zone | NCAA lists game times in ET unless noted; venue-local time applies |
| Location | United States, with Week Zero neutral-site games in Dublin and Rio de Janeiro |
| Schedule | Opening games on August 27 include Mercyhurst at Youngstown State and Maine at Towson at 6 p.m. ET, plus Chattanooga at West Georgia at 7 p.m. ET. Most Division I teams begin the following week. |
| What may change | NCAA says the schedule article will be updated if games or times change; recheck individual team and broadcaster listings before watching or travelling. |
| Source | NCAA.com 2026 season schedule |
| Source checked | July 27, 2026 |
The 2026 college football season starts on Thursday, August 27 with Week Zero. NCAA lists Mercyhurst at Youngstown State and Maine at Towson at 6 p.m. ET among the opening games; most Division I programs start the following week, with the main Week 1 slate on Saturday, September 5.
Use August 27 if you are counting down to the first scheduled college football games, but use September 5 if you mean the main Week 1 Saturday. For the August 29 neutral-site games in Dublin and Rio, confirm the local kickoff time before making viewing or travel plans.
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Open page →About College Football Kickoff
The 2026 college football season begins on Thursday, August 27 with Week Zero. Most Division I teams begin the following week, with the main Week 1 slate on Saturday, September 5.
History & Significance
Week Zero is the opening set of games played before the traditional first full weekend of the college football season. It gives a smaller group of teams an earlier start before the main Week 1 schedule.
College Football Kickoff 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
When is College Football Kickoff 2026?
College Football Kickoff 2026 is on Thursday, August 27, 2026 — 25 days from today. You can track it with a free countdown widget on your iPhone home screen using the Outside app.
What day of the week is College Football Kickoff 2026?
College Football Kickoff 2026 falls on a Thursday. Knowing the weekday helps you plan time off, travel, or weekend activities around the date.
How long until College Football Kickoff 2026?
College Football Kickoff 2026 is just 25 days away — about 600 hours. Set a reminder so it doesn't sneak up on you.
Is there a free College Football Kickoff countdown app?
Yes. Outside is a free iPhone app with a College Football Kickoff countdown widget for your home screen, plus reminder alerts and calendar sync. Used by 300k+ people.
When exactly is College Football Kickoff 2026?
The 2026 college football season starts on Thursday, August 27 with Week Zero. NCAA lists Mercyhurst at Youngstown State and Maine at Towson at 6 p.m. ET among the opening games; most Division I programs start the following week, with the main Week 1 slate on Saturday, September 5.
What is the College Football Kickoff 2026 schedule?
Opening games on August 27 include Mercyhurst at Youngstown State and Maine at Towson at 6 p.m. ET, plus Chattanooga at West Georgia at 7 p.m. ET. Most Division I teams begin the following week.
What should I confirm before College Football Kickoff 2026?
NCAA says the schedule article will be updated if games or times change; recheck individual team and broadcaster listings before watching or travelling. Use August 27 if you are counting down to the first scheduled college football games, but use September 5 if you mean the main Week 1 Saturday. For the August 29 neutral-site games in Dublin and Rio, confirm the local kickoff time before making viewing or travel plans.
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