The 2026 Alabama football schedule contains 12 games: 7 home fixtures at Bryant-Denny Stadium and 5 road contests across the SEC. This is Kalen DeBoer’s third season as head coach, and the Crimson Tide faces a demanding slate that includes Florida State, Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, and Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
The Alabama schedule 2026 runs from Friday, September 4, through Friday, November 27, with the SEC Championship Game on Saturday, December 5, 2026.
Table of Contents
2026 Alabama Football Schedule at a Glance
7 home games. 5 away games. 9 SEC contests. 3 non-conference opponents. That is the structure of the 2026 Alabama football schedule. Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, holds 100,077 fans and underwent $5 million in upgrades ahead of this season, including 7 new premium suites.
The Crimson Tide opens at home against East Carolina on Friday, September 4, and closes with the 91st Iron Bowl against Auburn on Friday, November 27.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Home / Away | Conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, September 4, 2026 | East Carolina | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Home | Non-Conference |
| Saturday, September 12, 2026 | at Kentucky | Lexington, Kentucky | Away | SEC |
| Saturday, September 19, 2026 | Florida State | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Home | Non-Conference |
| Saturday, September 26, 2026 | South Carolina | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Home | SEC |
| Saturday, October 3, 2026 | at Mississippi State | Starkville, Mississippi | Away | SEC |
| Saturday, October 10, 2026 | Georgia | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Home | SEC |
| Saturday, October 17, 2026 | at Tennessee | Knoxville, Tennessee | Away | SEC |
| Saturday, October 24, 2026 | Texas A&M | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Home | SEC |
| Friday, October 30, 2026 | — BYE WEEK — | — | — | — |
| Saturday, November 6, 2026 | at LSU | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Away | SEC |
| Saturday, November 13, 2026 | at Vanderbilt | Nashville, Tennessee | Away | SEC |
| Saturday, November 20, 2026 | Chattanooga | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Home | Non-Conference |
| Friday, November 27, 2026 | Auburn (Iron Bowl) | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Home | SEC |
The Full 2026 Alabama Crimson Tide Schedule
The Alabama Crimson Tide schedule 2026 is set under head coach Kalen DeBoer, now in his third year leading the program. The SEC’s move to a mandatory 9-game conference schedule is the single biggest structural change this season.
Alabama plays 9 SEC opponents and 3 non-conference teams. The non-conference opponents are East Carolina, Florida State, and Chattanooga.
Home Games at Bryant-Denny Stadium
Alabama plays 7 home games at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. The stadium holds 100,077 people and received $5 million in renovations for 2026, adding 7 new premium suites. The home schedule includes 5 SEC games and 2 non-conference contests.
| Date | Opponent | Game Type |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, September 4, 2026 | East Carolina | Non-Conference (Season Opener) |
| Saturday, September 19, 2026 | Florida State | Non-Conference (Marquee) |
| Saturday, September 26, 2026 | South Carolina | SEC |
| Saturday, October 10, 2026 | Georgia | SEC (Top-25 Matchup) |
| Saturday, October 24, 2026 | Texas A&M | SEC |
| Saturday, November 20, 2026 | Chattanooga | Non-Conference (FCS) |
| Friday, November 27, 2026 | Auburn | SEC (Iron Bowl — Annual Rivalry) |
Alabama Road Games in 2026
The Alabama road schedule contains 5 games. Three of those games are at SEC powerhouses: Kentucky, Tennessee, and LSU. The road slate also includes trips to Mississippi State and Vanderbilt.
| Date | Opponent | Stadium | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, September 12, 2026 | Kentucky | Kroger Field | Lexington, Kentucky |
| Saturday, October 3, 2026 | Mississippi State | Davis Wade Stadium | Starkville, Mississippi |
| Saturday, October 17, 2026 | Tennessee | Neyland Stadium | Knoxville, Tennessee |
| Saturday, November 6, 2026 | LSU | Tiger Stadium | Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Saturday, November 13, 2026 | Vanderbilt | FirstBank Stadium | Nashville, Tennessee |
Key Matchups and Marquee Games on the 2026 Alabama Schedule
Five games on the 2026 Alabama schedule stand out as national-level events. These matchups have the strongest impact on College Football Playoff positioning. Florida State, Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, and the Iron Bowl against Auburn are the games that will define the Crimson Tide’s season.
Alabama vs. Florida State — Saturday, September 19, 2026
Alabama hosts Florida State at Bryant-Denny Stadium in the third game of the season. This game carries added significance: Alabama lost to Florida State 31-17 in the 2025 season opener. Alabama leads the all-time series 4-2. The game takes place in Tuscaloosa with an expected crowd near capacity.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, September 19, 2026 |
| Location | Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
| Series History | Alabama leads 4-2 |
| 2025 Result | Florida State 31, Alabama 17 |
| Game Type | Non-Conference |
Alabama vs. Georgia — Saturday, October 10, 2026
Alabama hosts the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium. This is the first of 3 ranked opponents Alabama faces within a 15-day stretch in October. Georgia is an SEC East powerhouse and a perennial College Football Playoff contender. A win here significantly improves Alabama’s path to the 12-team playoff.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, October 10, 2026 |
| Location | Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
| Significance | SEC title race. College Football Playoff positioning. |
| Playoff Format | 12-team College Football Playoff (Power Four conference champions receive guaranteed bids) |
The October Gauntlet: Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas A&M
Alabama faces 3 major SEC opponents between Saturday, October 10, and Saturday, October 24. This is the toughest stretch on the entire 2026 Alabama football schedule.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 6 | Saturday, October 10, 2026 | Georgia | Tuscaloosa (Home) |
| Week 7 | Saturday, October 17, 2026 | at Tennessee | Knoxville (Away) |
| Week 8 | Saturday, October 24, 2026 | Texas A&M | Tuscaloosa (Home) |
The Tennessee game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville is the midpoint of this run. Neyland Stadium holds over 102,000 fans. The “Third Saturday in October” rivalry between Alabama and Tennessee is one of the most attended college football games in the nation.
Iron Bowl 2026: Alabama vs. Auburn
The Iron Bowl is the 91st meeting between Alabama and Auburn. Alabama leads the all-time series 51-37-1. The 2026 Iron Bowl is played at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Friday, November 27. Alabama has won 6 consecutive Iron Bowls heading into this game.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday, November 27, 2026 |
| Location | Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
| Series Meeting | 91st Iron Bowl |
| All-Time Series | Alabama leads 51-37-1 |
| Alabama Streak | 6 consecutive Iron Bowl wins entering 2026 |
| Kickoff Time | TBD (announced by SEC/ESPN) |
Alabama Strength of Schedule 2026
The 2026 Alabama schedule ranks among the most difficult in the SEC. Alabama plays 5 opponents projected to finish in or near the top 25 nationally. Three of those games fall within a 15-day window in October. The strength of schedule is a direct result of the SEC’s new 9-game conference format and Alabama’s rotating opponents.
| Tier | Opponents | Projected Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Georgia, Tennessee, LSU | National title contenders. High-impact SEC games. |
| Tier 2 | Florida State, Auburn, Texas A&M | Major programs. Playoff-caliber competition. |
| Tier 3 | Kentucky, South Carolina, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt | Competitive SEC teams. No guaranteed wins. |
| Tier 4 | East Carolina, Chattanooga | Non-conference opponents. FBS and FCS programs. |
How the SEC 9-Game Format Changed the 2026 Alabama Football Schedule
The SEC moved to a mandatory 9-game conference schedule starting in 2026. This replaced the previous 8-game format. The change means Alabama plays 1 additional SEC opponent compared to prior seasons. That extra game reduced the number of non-conference slots from 4 to 3.
| Category | Pre-2026 Format | 2026 Format |
|---|---|---|
| SEC Games Per Season | 8 | 9 |
| Non-Conference Games | 4 | 3 |
| Total Games | 12 | 12 |
| Annual Rivals (Fixed) | Auburn, Mississippi State, Tennessee | Auburn, Mississippi State, Tennessee |
| Rotating Opponents | 5 | 6 |
Why Was the West Virginia Series Dropped from the Alabama Football Schedule?
Alabama was previously scheduled to play West Virginia as part of its non-conference slate. That game was cancelled because the SEC’s shift to 9 conference games left only 3 non-conference slots. Alabama filled those 3 slots with East Carolina, Florida State, and Chattanooga. The West Virginia series was dropped to accommodate the expanded SEC schedule. This is not unique to Alabama — multiple SEC programs dropped planned non-conference opponents for the same reason in 2026.
How to Watch Alabama Games in 2026
Alabama games in 2026 air on ESPN family networks. The SEC and ESPN announce specific TV channels and kickoff times approximately 12 days before each game. Until those announcements, exact broadcast assignments remain TBD.
TV Channels and Streaming Options
| Network | Streaming Platform | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN | ESPN+ / Hulu + Live TV | Primary network for SEC games |
| ABC | Watch ESPN (free with cable login) | Assigned to marquee matchups |
| ESPN2 | ESPN+ / Hulu + Live TV | Secondary network option |
| ESPNU | ESPN+ / Hulu + Live TV | College football dedicated channel |
The SEC Championship Game on Saturday, December 5, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta airs on ESPN or ABC. If Alabama qualifies, that broadcast assignment will be confirmed by the SEC office.
Alabama Tickets 2026: What to Expect
Ticket prices for Alabama games in 2026 vary by opponent and location. Marquee matchups against Georgia, Florida State, and Auburn command the highest prices on the secondary market. Fans can purchase tickets through the official Alabama Athletics ticket office or through licensed resale platforms.
Ticket Price Estimates by Game
| Game | Date | Est. Resale Price | Demand Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Carolina | Friday, September 4 | $75 – $150 | Low |
| at Kentucky | Saturday, September 12 | $100 – $250 | Moderate |
| Florida State | Saturday, September 19 | $200 – $450 | High |
| South Carolina | Saturday, September 26 | $100 – $200 | Moderate |
| at Mississippi State | Saturday, October 3 | $100 – $225 | Moderate |
| Georgia | Saturday, October 10 | $300 – $650 | Very High |
| at Tennessee | Saturday, October 17 | $450+ | Very High |
| Texas A&M | Saturday, October 24 | $175 – $375 | High |
| at LSU | Saturday, November 6 | $275+ | High |
| at Vanderbilt | Saturday, November 13 | $280+ | High |
| Chattanooga | Saturday, November 20 | $65 – $125 | Low |
| Auburn (Iron Bowl) | Friday, November 27 | $350 – $800+ | Highest |
Price estimates are based on historical secondary market trends for Alabama football. Actual prices vary by seat location, timing of purchase, and market demand. Prices for away games reflect fan-facing resale availability.
2026 Alabama Road Trip Travel Guide
Alabama plays 5 away games in 2026. Three of those road trips — Knoxville, Baton Rouge, and Nashville — are among the most popular travel destinations for Crimson Tide fans. This section covers where to stay, what to do, and how to make the most of each road game.
Knoxville, Tennessee — Saturday, October 17, 2026
Alabama plays at Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. Neyland Stadium holds over 102,000 fans. The venue is known for its vertical seating and loud atmosphere.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Venue | Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee |
| Where to Stay | The Graduate Knoxville on Cumberland Avenue is centrally located near campus. The Tennessean offers a quieter alternative within walking distance of the stadium. |
| Tailgate Spots | The Vol Navy riverboat tailgate on the Tennessee River is a fan-favorite experience. G10 Garage offers elevated views of the campus and river. |
| Fan Area | Market Square is the main gathering point for visiting fans before kickoff. |
| Ticket Estimate | $450+ (secondary market) |
Baton Rouge, Louisiana — Saturday, November 6, 2026
Alabama plays at LSU at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. This is a night game. Tiger Stadium holds approximately 102,000 fans and is one of the loudest venues in college football.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Venue | Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Where to Eat | The Chimes near campus is a local tradition. Louie’s Café is a reliable option for pre-game or post-game meals. |
| Must-See | Mike the Tiger — LSU’s live tiger mascot — is located near the stadium. Visit at least 2 hours before kickoff. |
| Fan Area | The Chimes area and North Gates are the best spots for visiting fans. |
| Ticket Estimate | $275+ (secondary market) |
Nashville, Tennessee — Saturday, November 13, 2026
Alabama plays at Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville. Historically, Alabama fans travel in large numbers for this game, and Nashville becomes a weekend destination for the Crimson Tide fanbase.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Venue | FirstBank Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee |
| Stadium Note | FirstBank Stadium is undergoing renovations in 2026. Capacity is reduced, which drives ticket prices higher than the away-game average. |
| Where to Go | Lower Broadway is the entertainment district. The Stage on Broadway and Printer’s Alley (Bourbon Street Blues) are popular stops for visiting fans. |
| Where to Stay | Midtown or West End hotels place fans within walking distance of the stadium and a short ride from Broadway. |
| Ticket Estimate | $280+ (secondary market) |
Road Game Quick-Reference
| City | Date | Ticket Est. | Best Fan Area | Top Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington, KY | Sept 12 | $100–$250 | Downtown Lexington | Visit the Kentucky Horse Park area |
| Starkville, MS | Oct 3 | $100–$225 | Downtown Starkville | College Blvd shops and restaurants |
| Knoxville, TN | Oct 17 | $450+ | Market Square | Vol Navy riverboat tailgate |
| Baton Rouge, LA | Nov 6 | $275+ | North Gates / The Chimes | Visit Mike the Tiger |
| Nashville, TN | Nov 13 | $280+ | Lower Broadway | Broadway honky-tonk experience |
Kalen DeBoer and the 2026 Alabama Roster
Kalen DeBoer enters his 3rd season as head coach of Alabama in 2026. He took over the program after Nick Saban’s retirement following the 2023 season. The 2026 roster reflects DeBoer’s first full recruiting classes and transfer portal additions.
| Role | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Head Coach | Kalen DeBoer | Year 3 at Alabama |
| Defensive Coordinator | Kane Wommack | Key staff hire under DeBoer |
| Athletic Director | Greg Byrne | Oversees program operations |
| Projected QB1 | Keelon Russell | Part of DeBoer’s first recruiting class |
| Star WR | Ryan Williams | Fan speculation about junior-year return |
The 2026 recruiting class includes 5 five-star commits. LB Xavier Griffin is ranked as the number 1 linebacker nationally. RB Ezavier Crowell is another high-profile addition. These recruits are expected to contribute alongside returning talent from the 2024 and 2025 classes.
SEC Championship Game 2026
The 2026 SEC Championship Game takes place on Saturday, December 5, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The game pits the top 2 teams in the SEC standings against each other. Under the 12-team College Football Playoff format, the SEC Champion receives an automatic bid. Fans following the Alabama schedule 2026 should bookmark this date in case the Crimson Tide earn a spot.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, December 5, 2026 |
| Venue | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia |
| Format | Top 2 SEC teams by conference record |
| Playoff Implication | Winner earns automatic College Football Playoff bid |
| Playoff Format | 12 teams (Power Four conference champions guaranteed entry) |
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Alabama Football Schedule
What is the Alabama football schedule for 2026?
Alabama plays 12 games in 2026: 7 at home and 5 on the road. The season opens on Friday, September 4, against East Carolina and ends on Friday, November 27, with the Iron Bowl against Auburn. Alabama plays 9 SEC games and 3 non-conference games under the new SEC 9-game format.
When is Alabama vs. Georgia in 2026?
Alabama hosts Georgia on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. Kickoff time and TV channel will be announced by the SEC and ESPN approximately 12 days before the game.
How many home games does Alabama have in 2026?
Alabama has 7 home games in 2026 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The home opponents are East Carolina, Florida State, South Carolina, Georgia, Texas A&M, Chattanooga, and Auburn.
How tough is Alabama’s 2026 schedule?
The 2026 Alabama schedule is among the hardest in the SEC. Alabama plays 5 projected top-25 opponents. Three of those games — Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas A&M — fall within a 15-day stretch in October. The schedule includes road trips to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville and Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.
When is the Iron Bowl in 2026?
The Iron Bowl is on Friday, November 27, 2026, at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. It is the 91st meeting in the series history. Alabama leads the all-time series 51-37-1.
Who are Alabama’s non-conference opponents in 2026?
Alabama’s 3 non-conference opponents are East Carolina (September 4), Florida State (September 19), and Chattanooga (November 20). The number of non-conference games dropped from 4 to 3 because the SEC expanded to a 9-game conference schedule.
Can I add the Alabama 2026 schedule to Google Calendar?
Yes. The official Alabama Athletics website (RollTide.com) provides a downloadable schedule file compatible with Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, and Outlook. Navigate to the football schedule page and look for the calendar export option.
Where can I buy Alabama football tickets for 2026?
Official tickets are available through Alabama Athletics (RollTide.com). Secondary market tickets are available on licensed resale platforms. Prices for marquee games like Georgia and the Iron Bowl are expected to be the highest of the season.
When will kickoff times be announced for Alabama’s 2026 games?
The SEC and ESPN announce kickoff times and TV assignments approximately 12 days before each game. Early-season dates in September are typically confirmed first. Check ESPN or RollTide.com for live updates.
Is Alabama in the College Football Playoff in 2026?
The 2026 College Football Playoff includes 12 teams. Power Four conference champions (including the SEC Champion) receive automatic bids. The remaining spots are filled by at-large selection. Alabama’s path to the playoff runs through the SEC Championship Game on Saturday, December 5, 2026, in Atlanta.
Sources: Alabama Athletics (RollTide.com), ESPN, SEC.com. Kickoff times, TV channel assignments, and ticket prices are subject to change. This page reflects the official 2026 Alabama Crimson Tide football schedule as published by the University of Alabama.
