LEXINGTON, Ky. The Southeastern Conference has released the kickoff time windows and television designations for the entirety of the Kentucky Wildcats’ 2026 football schedule, unveiling a slate that features four consecutive night games and a season-opening test against national power Alabama on network television .
The announcement, made on June 10, confirms the specific windows for the remainder of the season after the first three games were previously scheduled in May . The new-look Wildcats, under first-year head coach Will Stein, now have a full picture of their game times as they prepare for the 2026 campaign.
Season Opener and Early SEC Tests
Kentucky will kick off the Will Stein era on Saturday, Sept. 5, hosting the Youngstown State Penguins at Kroger Field. The game is slated for a 1:00 p.m. ET start and will be streamed exclusively on SEC Network+ . As part of the SEC’s media rights agreement, every conference team plays one home game on the digital platform.
The intensity ramps up significantly in Week 2. The Wildcats will host the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday, Sept. 12, in what will be Kentucky’s first major test of the season. The game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast nationally on ABC . This marks the earliest in a season that Alabama has opened conference play since 2013 .
Following the clash with Alabama, Kentucky hits the road for the first time to face the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on Saturday, Sept. 19. That contest is also scheduled for the 3:30 p.m. ET window and will air on either ESPN or ESPN2 .
The Keeneland Double-Dip and a November Night Gauntlet
Perhaps the most fan-friendly aspect of the schedule is the cluster of night games during the heart of the autumn. The SEC defines “night windows” as kickoffs occurring between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. ET . The Wildcats are slated to play four consecutive SEC matchups in the night window from mid-October through November .
Following an open date on Halloween, Kentucky will travel to Knoxville to face the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday, Nov. 7 (Night). They will return home to host the Florida Gators on Nov. 14 (Night), followed by a road trip to the Missouri Tigers on Nov. 21 (Night) .
The annual Governor’s Cup rivalry game against the Louisville Cardinals on Saturday, Nov. 28 is currently designated for an “Early” window (Noon to 1:00 p.m. ET), a traditional time slot for the season finale .
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time Window (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 5 | Youngstown State | Kroger Field | 1:00 PM | SEC Network+ |
| Sept. 12 | Alabama | Kroger Field | 3:30 PM | ABC |
| Sept. 19 | at Texas A&M | Kyle Field | 3:30 PM | ESPN/ESPN2 |
| Sept. 26 | South Alabama | Kroger Field | 12:45 PM | SEC Network |
| Oct. 3 | at South Carolina | Williams-Brice Stadium | Flex (3:30 PM or later) | TBA |
| Oct. 10 | LSU | Kroger Field | Night (6:00-8:00 PM) | TBA |
| Oct. 17 | at Oklahoma | Gaylord Family Stadium | Flex (3:30 PM or later) | TBA |
| Oct. 24 | Vanderbilt | Kroger Field | Night (6:00-8:00 PM) | TBA |
| Nov. 7 | at Tennessee | Neyland Stadium | Night (6:00-8:00 PM) | TBA |
| Nov. 14 | Florida | Kroger Field | Night (6:00-8:00 PM) | TBA |
| Nov. 21 | at Missouri | Faurot Field | Night (6:00-8:00 PM) | TBA |
| Nov. 28 | Louisville | Kroger Field | Early (Noon-1:00 PM) | TBA |
Source: LEX18, On3.com, UK Athletics
Context for the 2026 Season
The release of the windows provides clarity for fans planning travel and tailgates, particularly for the October home dates that coincide with the Keeneland horse racing meet.
However, the schedule presents a daunting challenge for Coach Stein, who took over the program following the departure of Mark Stoops. Stein, the youngest head coach in the SEC, has overhauled the roster via the transfer portal, bringing in Notre Dame transfer quarterback Kenny Minchey and Texas running back CJ Baxter to revitalize an offense that struggled in 2025 .
The “Flex” designation for the games at South Carolina (Oct. 3) and at Oklahoma (Oct. 17) means those kickoffs could be assigned either the afternoon or night window as the season progresses and network selections are finalized .
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