The Will Stein era in Lexington now has official kickoff times for its opening chapter, as Kentucky Football announced game times and television designations for the first three games of the 2026 season.
The schedule features a season-opening afternoon contest, a marquee visit from Alabama, and a road trip to Texas A&M.
Season Opener: Youngstown State
The Wildcats will kick off the Stein era at Kroger Field on Saturday, September 5, hosting the Youngstown State Penguins. The game is slated for a 1:00 p.m. ET start and will be broadcast on SEC Network+ .
This matchup is part of a conference initiative where every SEC team will play one home game exclusively on SECN+ this season. It will be the first opportunity for fans to see first-year head coach Will Stein’s system in live action .
Week 2: Alabama Comes to Lexington
In one of the most anticipated home games of the early SEC slate, Kentucky will host the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday, September 12.
The non-conference showdown is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff and will be nationally televised on ABC . While some fans may have hoped for a night game atmosphere in Lexington, the matchup remains a marquee national draw during the second week of the season .
Week 3: Road Test at Texas A&M
Coach Stein’s first SEC road test will come in Week 3 when the Wildcats travel to College Station to face the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday, September 19.
Kentucky will play at Kyle Field with a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff. The game will air on either ESPN or ESPN2 .
The matchup carries an additional storyline, as Kentucky defensive coordinator Jay Bateman will return to College Station after spending the 2025 season in the same role for the Aggies .
Full Schedule and Future Announcements
Kickoff windows and television assignments for the remainder of Kentucky’s 2026 schedule are expected to be announced later in June .
The Wildcats’ full 2026 schedule includes home SEC matchups against LSU, Vanderbilt, Florida, and Tennessee, along with road games at South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Missouri. The regular season concludes with the annual Governor’s Cup rivalry game against Louisville .
Kentucky Football 2026 First Three Games
| Game | Opponent | Location | Date | Kickoff (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | vs. Youngstown State | Kroger Field – Lexington, KY | Sat., Sept. 5 | 1:00 p.m. | SEC Network+ |
| 2 | vs. Alabama | Kroger Field – Lexington, KY | Sat., Sept. 12 | 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
| 3 | at Texas A&M | Kyle Field – College Station, TX | Sat., Sept. 19 | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN or ESPN2 |
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