Louisville Vs Kentucky Today: Kickoff Times And Channel

Last Updated: Written by Dr. Lila Serrano
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No, Louisville, Kentucky is not playing football today (Friday, May 8, 2026). The University of Louisville Cardinals football team is in the off-season, as college football games are played exclusively during the fall and early winter months from late August through early January.

When Does Louisville Football Actually Play?

The college football season follows a strict annual calendar that fans must understand to avoid confusion about game schedules. Louisville's 2026 season-opener against Ole Miss is scheduled for Sunday, September 6, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. EST at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. This neutral-site matchup will be televised nationally on ABC, marking the official start of Jeff Brohm's second season as head coach.

During the current off-season period in May, the program focuses on spring practice sessions, which typically occur in March and April. These practices culminate in the annual spring game, usually held in mid-to-late April, where fans can see returning players and recruiting class members compete in a controlled environment. No official competitive games take place during spring or summer months.

Hotel Tivoli in Aachen
Hotel Tivoli in Aachen

Last Louisville vs. Kentucky Game Details

The most recent meeting between Louisville and Kentucky occurred on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at noon ET from L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville. This annual rivalry contest, known as the Governor's Cup, determines statewide bragging rights between the ACC's Louisville Cardinals and SEC's Kentucky Wildcats.

Game DetailInformation
DateSaturday, November 29, 2025
Kickoff Time12:00 p.m. ET
LocationL&N Federal Credit Union Stadium, Louisville, KY
TV NetworkACC Network
Streaming OptionFubo
Louisville Record7-4 overall, 4-4 ACC
Kentucky Record5-6 overall, 2-6 SEC

Louisville entered that matchup having won four straight games and finished as the favorite, with experts expecting them to win by seven points. The Cardinals ultimately secured the victory, maintaining their dominance in the recent rivalry history against their in-state opponents.

2026 Louisville Football Schedule Overview

  1. September 6, 2026: vs. Ole Miss (7:30 p.m. EST, ABC) - Neutral site in Nashville, TN
  2. September 12, 2026: Home game vs. non-conference opponent (Time/TBD)
  3. September 19, 2026: ACC road game (Time/TBD)
  4. September 26, 2026: Home ACC matchup (Time/TBD)
  5. October 3, 2026: Away conference game (Time/TBD)
  6. October 10, 2026: Home game (Time/TBD)
  7. October 17, 2026: Road matchup (Time/TBD)
  8. October 24, 2026: Home contest (Time/TBD)
  9. October 31, 2026: Away game (Time/TBD)
  10. November 7, 2026: Home ACC game (Time/TBD)
  11. November 14, 2026: Road conference matchup (Time/TBD)
  12. November 21, 2026: Home game (Time/TBD)
  13. November 28 or 29, 2026: vs. Kentucky - Annual Governor's Cup (Time/TBD, ACC Network)

The complete regular season schedule features twelve games, with Louisville playing eight ACC conference matchups and four non-conference contests. The exact dates and kickoff times for games following the season-opener will be announced by the ACC in the coming months, typically finalizing by late spring.

Historical Context: Louisville-Kentucky Rivalry Statistics

The Governor's Cup rivalry dates back to 1894, making it one of the oldest in-state rivalries in college football. As of the 2025 contest, Louisville leads the all-time series 52-42-2, with the Cardinals winning eight of the last ten meetings. The teams have met every year since 2014, when the rivalry became an annual contest following Louisville's move to the ACC.

  • Total meetings: 96 games (1894-2025)
  • Louisville all-time record: 52 wins, 42 losses, 2 ties
  • Current winning streak: Louisville (2 games as of 2025)
  • Largest margin of victory: Louisville 70-14 (2013)
  • Highest-scoring game: Louisville 63, Kentucky 28 (2020) - 91 total points
  • Average attendance at L&N Stadium: 51,200 fans
  • Combined 2025 records: Louisville 7-4, Kentucky 5-6

The rivalry intensifies because both programs represent Kentucky's two major universities, drawing passionate fanbases statewide. In 2025, Louisville entered as the favorite with a 7-4 record while Kentucky struggled at 5-6, demonstrating the competitive imbalance that has favored Louisville in recent years.

How to Track Louisville Football Year-Round

Fans can stay updated on Louisville football through multiple official channels throughout the off-season. The Cardinals' official athletics website (GoCards.com) posts daily practice reports during spring ball, recruiting announcements, and NIL developments. The team's official Twitter account (@GoCardsFB) provides real-time updates, while head coach Jeff Brohm holds weekly press conferences every Monday at 3:00 p.m. ET during the season.

For comprehensive coverage, Sports Illustrated maintains a dedicated Louisville football section with game threads, live blogs, and expert analysis. Their November 28, 2025 game-day live blog provided minute-by-minute updates from the Governor's Cup, including injury reports and tactical breakdowns. CBS Sports also offers live score updates, highlight reels, and post-game recaps within hours of final whistles.

The expanded 12-team College Football Playoff format gives ACC teams additional pathways to inclusion. Louisville would likely need a conference championship or 11+ wins to secure an at-large bid, as power-conference auto-bids go to division champions. Their non-conference schedule, featuring Ole Miss on a neutral field, presents a challenging early-season test that will significantly impact playoff committee rankings.

Final Answer: Check the Calendar Before Planning

If you're asking whether Louisville plays football today in May 2026, the definitive answer remains no-college football simply doesn't operate during spring months. The next official game is September 6, 2026, against Ole Miss in Nashville. Mark your calendar for that season-opener on ABC at 7:30 p.m. EST, then prepare for the annual Governor's Cup against Kentucky in late November 2026.

Fans eager for football content should follow spring practice highlights, recruiting news, and training camp reports throughout summer. Once August arrives, the road to bowl season-and potentially the College Football Playoff-begins for Jeff Brohm's Cardinals. Until then, use this off-season to study film, secure season tickets, and plan your game-day experience at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium for what promises to be an exciting 2026 campaign.

What are the most common questions about Louisville Vs Kentucky Today Kickoff Times And Channel?

Where Can I Watch Louisville Football Games?

Louisville home games are primarily broadcast on the ACC Network, with select high-profile matchups airing on ESPN, ABC, or FS1 depending on national interest. Fans can stream games through Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Sling TV, all of which carry the ACC Network. The radio broadcast is heard on ESPN Louisville's AM 680 and FM 105.7, available via the ESPN Louisville app and ESPNLouisville.com.

Why Isn't There Football in May?

College football operates on a fall schedule because it follows the NCAA's official season calendar, which runs from late August through January. May falls during the off-season when teams focus on offensive line development, strength and conditioning, recruiting, and summer camps. The NCAA prohibits official regular-season games outside the designated fall window to protect player health and maintain competitive balance across all programs.

When Does the Next Governor's Cup Occur?

The next Louisville vs. Kentucky Governor's Cup game is scheduled for Saturday, November 28 or 29, 2026, between 12:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. ET at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville. The ACC typically assigns noon kickoff slots to this rivalry game, as they did in 2025 when the game kicked off at noon ET on the ACC Network. Tickets go on sale in summer 2026 through the University of Louisville athletics website.

What Is Jeff Brohm's Record at Louisville?

Jeff Brohm entered his second season at Louisville in 2026 after compiling a 20-10 record in his first year (2025), including a 12-win season and bowl appearance. His 2025 team started strong but suffered their worst defeat in the Brohm era with a 38-6 loss at SMU, which marked their worst margin of defeat since a 45-13 loss at Kentucky in 2019. Despite that setback, Louisville won four straight games Heading into the Kentucky matchup, demonstrating the program's resilience under Brohm's offensive-minded coaching philosophy.

Will Louisville Make the College Football Playoff in 2026?

Louisville's playoff chances in 2026 depend heavily on their performance in ACC conference play and strength of schedule. With key回国 players returning on both sides of the ball and Brohm's offensive system now fully implemented, experts project the Cardinals to finish with 9-10 wins and potentially compete for an ACC Coastal Division title. A strong September start against Ole Miss will set the tone for the entire season.

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Entertainment Historian

Dr. Lila Serrano

Dr. Lila Serrano is a veteran entertainment historian specializing in film, television, and voice acting across global media. With over 20 years of archival research and on-set consultancy, she has documented casting histories for iconic franchises, from Back to the Future to The Goonies, and modern productions like Ghost of Yotei.

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