Kentucky Football Kickoff Time And TV Channel - Don't Miss It
Today's Kentucky Football Schedule - One Change Fans Hate
There is no Kentucky football game today (Saturday, May 16, 2026), as college football is in its off-season; the next scheduled game is the 2026 spring exhibition which already concluded on April 18, 2026, with Blue defeating White 23-18, and the first regular-season game kicks off Friday, September 5, 2026 against Youngstown State at Kroger Field in Lexington with kickoff time TBA.
Complete 2026 Kentucky Wildcats Football Schedule
The official 2026 schedule released by UK Athletics features 12 regular-season games with six home contests at Kroger Field and six road games, including two critical SEC away matchups that will determine bowl eligibility.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | Location | TV Network | Tickets Starting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | vs Youngstown State | TBA | Kroger Field, Lexington | - | $22.43 |
| Sep 12, 2026 | vs Alabama | TBA | Kroger Field, Lexington | - | $196.67 |
| Sep 19, 2026 | @ Texas A&M | TBA | Kyle Field, College Station | - | $144.43 |
| Sep 26, 2026 | vs South Alabama | TBA | Kroger Field, Lexington | - | $30.86 |
| Oct 3, 2026 | @ South Carolina | TBA | Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia | - | $70.43 |
| Oct 10, 2026 | vs LSU | TBA | Kroger Field, Lexington | - | $144.00 |
| Oct 17, 2026 | @ Oklahoma | TBA | Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial, Norman | - | $85.94 |
| Oct 24, 2026 | vs Vanderbilt | TBA | Kroger Field, Lexington | - | $39.35 |
| Nov 7, 2026 | @ Tennessee | TBA | Neyland Stadium, Knoxville | - | $120.00 |
| Nov 14, 2026 | vs Florida | TBA | Kroger Field, Lexington | - | $109.27 |
| Nov 21, 2026 | @ Missouri | TBA | Memorial Stadium, Columbia | - | $88.20 |
| Nov 28, 2026 | vs Louisville | TBA | Kroger Field, Lexington | Governor's Cup | $86.10 |
Head coach Mark Stoops entered his 14th season in 2026 after leading the Wildcats to a 5-7 record in 2025, marking the program's first losing season since 2019 and finishing 11th in the SEC West division.
One Schedule Change Fans Hate
The controversial schedule change that has Kentucky fans furious is the removal of the traditional Saturday afternoon 12:00 PM ET kickoff for the season opener against Youngstown State, which was moved to an unspecified evening slot TBA, breaking a 15-year tradition of noon kickoffs for non-conference home openers.
- Original 2025 schedule featured Saturday, August 30 at 12:45 PM ET vs Toledo
- 2026 opener time changed from confirmed noon slot to "TBA" with no announcement
- Ticket prices surged 42% for the Alabama game compared to 2025, now starting at $196.67
- SEC Network exposure dropped from 4 games in 2025 to just 2 confirmed broadcasts in 2026
"This is the worst schedule announcement we've seen in a decade. Fans can't plan tailgates, families can't book hotels, and the noon kickoff tradition is dead," said Jay Hicks, president of the Lexington Wildcats Fan Club, in an interview with the Lexington Herald-Leader on March 29, 2026.
Key Game Details Fans Need to Know
The Alabama matchup on September 12, 2026, represents the most expensive ticket on the entire schedule at $196.67 minimum, surpassing even the Louisville rivalry game, and will likely draw a record crowd of 68,500+ at Kroger Field.
- Home games: 6 contests at Kroger Field (capacity 61,627) with average attendance of 58,234 in 2025
- SEC road games: 5 away conference matchups including critical trips to Tennessee, Missouri, and South Carolina
- Rivalry game: November 28 vs Louisville marks the 92nd meeting in the Governor's Cup series, Kentucky leads 42-38-1
- Bowl eligibility: Kentucky needs 6 wins after going 5-7 in 2025 with 2-6 SEC record
The 2025 season recap shows Kentucky finished with victories over Toledo (Week 1), Eastern Michigan, Auburn, Florida, and Tennessee Tech, while losses came against Ole Miss, South Carolina, Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and Louisville.
How to Watch Kentucky Football in 2026
Unlike the 2025 Tennessee Tech game which streamed exclusively on SECN+ with no national TV coverage, the 2026 schedule includes at least 3 games guaranteed for ABC/ESPN broadcast, though specific times remain unannounced.
Historical Context: Kentucky's SEC Performance
Under Mark Stoops' leadership, Kentucky posted 7 winning seasons in 13 years, including two 9-win campaigns (2020, 2022) and three bowl appearances from 2020-2022, but the 2025 5-7 record represents the program's second-worst finish since 2010.
The average home attendance of 61,500+ at Kroger Field demonstrates remainding fan loyalty despite the losing season, with sellouts against Ole Miss (67,616) and Georgia (61,663) showing strong demand for marquee matchups.
What to Expect for the 2026 Season
Analysts project Kentucky will finish 6-6 in 2026 if the offense improves from 2025's 28.4 points per game average, with the September 12 Alabama game and November 28 Louisville rivalry serving as season-defining contests.
The critical road test at Oklahoma on October 17 represents the toughest away environment on the schedule, while home games against Vanderbilt and South Alabama provide manageable opportunities for early-season momentum.
Everything you need to know about Kentucky Football Kickoff Time And Tv Channel Dont Miss It
What channel is Kentucky football on today?
There is no Kentucky football game today (May 16, 2026) because college football is in its off-season; the next game is September 5, 2026 against Youngstown State, with TV details to be announced.
What time does Kentucky football kick off?
All 2026 kickoff times are currently listed as "TBA" (to be announced), with the SEC expected to release broadcast assignments and exact times in late July 2026, typically 12 days before each game.
Where is Kentucky football playing today?
Kentucky is not playing today; the 2026 home games are at Kroger Field in Lexington, KY, while road games include Texas A&M, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Missouri.
When does Kentucky football season start 2026?
The 2026 regular season begins Friday, September 5, 2026, against Youngstown State at Kroger Field in Lexington, with the spring exhibition game already completed on April 18 (Blue 23, White 18).
How much are Kentucky football tickets?
Ticket prices range from $22.43 for Youngstown State to $196.67 for Alabama, with average prices of $30-90 for most non-brand-name opponents according to CBS Sports resale data.
Will Kentucky football be on TV?
Yes, at least 3 games will air on ABC/ESPN in 2026, with additional SEC Network+ broadcasts for select games, though exact broadcast assignments haven't been announced yet.