The Arkansas Razorbacks football schedule for 2026 features 12 games with 7 home contests at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium and 5 road trips across the Southeastern Conference and beyond.
The season marks head coach Ryan Silverfield’s first year leading the program and introduces the SEC’s new 9-game conference format with permanent opponents Texas, Missouri, and LSU.
Table of Contents
2026 Arkansas Razorbacks Football Schedule Overview
Arkansas opens the 2026 season on Saturday, September 5, 2026, hosting North Alabama in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks face 4 teams ranked in ESPN’s early 2026 Top 25 projections: Georgia, Texas, LSU, and Tennessee.
The regular season concludes on Saturday, November 28, 2026, with the Battle for the Golden Boot rivalry game against LSU at home.
Complete 2026 Game Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location | Venue | Conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, September 5, 2026 | North Alabama | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium | Non-Conference |
| Saturday, September 12, 2026 | at Utah | Salt Lake City, Utah | Rice-Eccles Stadium | Non-Conference |
| Saturday, September 19, 2026 | Georgia | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium | SEC |
| Saturday, September 26, 2026 | Tulsa | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium | Non-Conference |
| Saturday, October 3, 2026 | at Texas A&M | College Station, Texas | Kyle Field | SEC |
| Saturday, October 10, 2026 | Tennessee | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium | SEC |
| Saturday, October 17, 2026 | at Vanderbilt | Nashville, Tennessee | FirstBank Stadium | SEC |
| Saturday, October 24, 2026 | BYE WEEK | — | — | — |
| Saturday, October 31, 2026 | Missouri | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium | SEC |
| Saturday, November 7, 2026 | at Auburn | Auburn, Alabama | Jordan-Hare Stadium | SEC |
| Saturday, November 14, 2026 | South Carolina | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium | SEC |
| Saturday, November 21, 2026 | at Texas | Austin, Texas | Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium | SEC |
| Saturday, November 28, 2026 | LSU | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium | SEC |
Note: Kickoff times and television assignments remain to be announced. The SEC typically releases specific game times 6-12 days before each contest, with select marquee matchups announced during the summer.
SEC Conference Games in 2026
The 2026 season represents Arkansas’s first year under the SEC’s 9-game conference schedule format. The Razorbacks play 9 SEC opponents, with 3 permanent annual rivals and 6 rotating conference opponents.
Permanent SEC Opponents
Arkansas faces three permanent conference opponents annually starting in 2026:
- Texas (Battle for the Golden Boot) – Away game on Saturday, November 21, 2026, in Austin, Texas
- Missouri (Battle Line Rivalry) – Home game on Saturday, October 31, 2026, in Fayetteville, Arkansas
- LSU (Battle for the Boot) – Home game on Saturday, November 28, 2026, in Fayetteville, Arkansas
These permanent opponents were selected based on geographic proximity, historic rivalries, and travel efficiency. Texas shares a border with Arkansas, and Missouri neighbors Arkansas to the north, and LSU represents a traditional SEC West rivalry dating to 1992.
Rotating SEC Conference Opponents (2026)
| Opponent | Date | Location | Series Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | Saturday, September 19, 2026 | Home | Georgia leads 11-3 |
| Texas A&M | Saturday, October 3, 2026 | Away | Texas A&M leads 11-6 |
| Tennessee | Saturday, October 10, 2026 | Home | Tennessee leads 14-10-1 |
| Vanderbilt | Saturday, October 17, 2026 | Away | Arkansas leads 14-12-1 |
| Auburn | Saturday, November 7, 2026 | Away | Auburn leads 15-12-1 |
| South Carolina | Saturday, November 14, 2026 | Home | Arkansas leads 11-9 |
Home Games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
Arkansas hosts 7 home games at the 72,000-capacity Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium during the 2026 season. The venue, located on the west side of the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville, underwent a $160 million renovation completed in 2018.
2026 Home Schedule
- Saturday, September 5, 2026 – North Alabama (Season Opener, First Meeting)
- Saturday, September 19, 2026 – Georgia (SEC Home Opener)
- Saturday, September 26, 2026 – Tulsa (74th All-Time Meeting)
- Saturday, October 10, 2026 – Tennessee (First Home Game vs. Tennessee Since 2024)
- Saturday, October 31, 2026 – Missouri (Battle Line Rivalry on Halloween)
- Saturday, November 14, 2026 – South Carolina
- Saturday, November 28, 2026 – LSU (Battle for the Golden Boot, Regular Season Finale)
The stadium features premium seating options added during the 2018 renovation, including Loge Boxes positioned 16-30 feet from the field and the Touchdown Club. The venue’s north end zone expansion increased capacity from 76,000 to its current 72,000 following a reconfiguration that prioritized premium experiences.
Non-Conference Schedule Analysis
Arkansas plays 3 non-conference opponents in 2026, featuring one FCS program, one Group of Five opponent, and one Power Four matchup.
Non-Conference Opponents Breakdown
North Alabama Lions (FCS)
- Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
- Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas
- All-Time Series: First Meeting
- Context: North Alabama competes in the United Athletic Conference (UAC) at the FCS level and represents the traditional season-opening FCS opponent for Power Four programs.
Utah Utes (Big 12 Conference)
- Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
- Location: Salt Lake City, Utah (Rice-Eccles Stadium, 51,444 capacity)
- All-Time Series: First Meeting
- Context: Utah joined the Big 12 Conference in 2024 after competing in the Pac-12. Rice-Eccles Stadium sits at 4,657 feet elevation, presenting unique physical challenges. This represents Arkansas’s marquee non-conference road trip.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane (American Athletic Conference)
- Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
- Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas
- All-Time Series: Arkansas leads 48-24-1 (through 2025)
- Context: The series dates to 1899, making it one of Arkansas’s oldest football rivalries. The schools last met in 2020, with Arkansas winning 35-14.
Key Matchups and Rivalry Games
Battle for the Golden Boot: Arkansas vs. Texas
The renewed Arkansas-Texas rivalry returns to the regular season schedule as a permanent annual matchup starting in 2026. Arkansas travels to Austin, Texas, on Saturday, November 21, 2026, for the first meeting since Texas joined the SEC.
Series History: Texas leads the all-time series 57-23 through the 2023 season. The teams last met during the 2021 regular season, with Arkansas winning 40-21 in Fayetteville. The “Golden Boot” trophy, introduced in 1996, symbolizes the border shared by Arkansas and Texas along the states’ geographic outline.
Battle for the Boot: Arkansas vs. LSU
The LSU rivalry returns to its traditional regular-season finale slot on Saturday, November 28, 2026, marking the first Thanksgiving weekend Battle for the Boot since 2013. LSU and Arkansas have met annually since 1992, with the game historically scheduled on the final weekend of November.
Series History: LSU leads the all-time series 45-23-2 through the 2025 season. The rivalry intensified after both schools joined the SEC West in 1992, creating an annual late-season border-state battle.
Battle Line Rivalry: Arkansas vs. Missouri
Arkansas hosts Missouri on Saturday, October 31, 2026 (Halloween), moving the Battle Line Rivalry from its recent Thanksgiving weekend placement. The game celebrates the shared border between Arkansas and Missouri.
Series History: Missouri leads the all-time series 11-5 since the rivalry began in 2014 when Missouri joined the SEC. The Battle Line Trophy features a bronzed Civil War-era cannon, representing the border conflicts between the states during the 1800s.
Ryan Silverfield’s First Season as Head Coach
The 2026 season marks Ryan Silverfield’s debut as Arkansas’s head coach following the dismissal of Sam Pittman in September 2025. Silverfield arrives from the University of Memphis, where he compiled a record as head coach before accepting the Arkansas position.
Coaching Staff Changes
Silverfield brought multiple coordinators from Memphis:
- Tim Cramsey – Offensive Coordinator (Memphis averaged 36 points per game during Cramsey’s tenure)
- Ron Roberts – Defensive Coordinator
- Chad Lunsford – Special Teams Coordinator
The offensive philosophy shift toward Cramsey’s Memphis-style attack represents a significant strategic change from Pittman’s approach. Memphis ranked among the top Group of Five programs in scoring offense during Cramsey’s time coordinating the offense.
Quarterback Competition
The 2026 quarterback competition centers on KJ Jackson and AJ Hill following the graduation of Taylen Green, whose eligibility expired after the 2025 season. Both quarterbacks entered the program through the transfer portal during the coaching transition.
Schedule Difficulty and Strength of Schedule
The 2026 Arkansas football schedule ranks among the nation’s most challenging, according to ESPN’s early strength-of-schedule projections. Arkansas faces 4 teams projected in ESPN’s preseason Top 25: Georgia, Texas, LSU, and Tennessee.
October Gauntlet
Arkansas faces a particularly difficult three-week stretch in October:
- Saturday, October 3, 2026 – at Texas A&M
- Saturday, October 10, 2026 – vs. Tennessee (Home)
- Saturday, October 17, 2026 – at Vanderbilt
This sequence includes two road trips and one home game against a ranked opponent, with minimal recovery time between contests. The bye week on Saturday, October 24, 2026, provides critical rest before the final five-game stretch.
November Road Challenges
The November schedule features two road conference games in three weeks:
- Saturday, November 7, 2026 – at Auburn (Jordan-Hare Stadium)
- Saturday, November 21, 2026 – at Texas (Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium)
Both venues present hostile environments. Jordan-Hare Stadium seats 87,451, while Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium holds 100,119, making it the eighth-largest stadium in college football.
Season Tickets and Ticketing Information
Arkansas Athletics initiated a comprehensive reseating process for the 2026 season to accommodate demand for premium seating locations at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Season ticket holders received priority access based on their Razorback Foundation donation levels and consecutive years of season ticket ownership.
Premium Seating Options
The 2018 stadium renovation added multiple premium seating categories:
- Loge Boxes – Located 16-30 feet from the field in the north end zone
- Touchdown Club – Climate-controlled indoor seating with field views
- Club Seats – Mid-level seating with enhanced amenities
- Suites – Private boxes for groups of 12-24 guests
Single-game ticket pricing varies by opponent tier. Games against Georgia, Texas, and LSU command premium pricing, while the North Alabama season opener represents the lowest-priced ticket option.
Television and Streaming Information
Specific kickoff times and television assignments for the 2026 Arkansas football games remain to be announced. The SEC distributes its football inventory across multiple broadcast partners:
SEC Television Partners
- ESPN/ABC – Primary rights holder for SEC football
- SEC Network – Conference-owned cable network
- CBS Sports – Select marquee SEC games (contract ending after 2023 season)
The SEC typically announces television windows in these phases:
- Early Summer (June-July 2026) – Major matchups receive kickoff times
- 6-12 Day Windows – Most games receive kickoff times within 12 days of the contest
- Flex Scheduling – The SEC reserves the right to move games between television windows based on conference standings and playoff implications
How to Watch Arkansas Football in 2026
Arkansas football games air on ESPN, ABC, SEC Network, or ESPN+, depending on the matchup’s national significance and competing conference games.
Streaming Options
| Service | Content | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN+ | Select SEC Network games, non-conference matchups | $10.99/month or $109.99/year |
| FuboTV | ESPN, ABC, SEC Network | Starting at $79.99/month |
| YouTube TV | ESPN, ABC, SEC Network | $72.99/month |
| Hulu + Live TV | ESPN, ABC, SEC Network | $76.99/month |
| Sling TV | ESPN networks (Orange package) | Starting at $40/month |
All major streaming services offer 7-day free trials for new subscribers, allowing fans to test service quality before committing to a full season.
Stadium Parking and Gameday Logistics
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium parking operates through a multi-lot system coordinated by the University of Arkansas and Razorback Foundation. Parking passes require advance purchase for most lots, with limited gameday availability.
Campus Parking Zones
- RV Parking – Reserved lots west of the stadium, available Thursday-Sunday for multi-day tailgating
- Premium Parking – Proximity lots within 0.25 miles of the stadium entrance
- General Parking – Campus lots 0.5-1.0 miles from the stadium with free shuttle service
- Remote Parking – Off-campus lots with continuous shuttle service starting 3 hours before kickoff
Razorback Road, the main pedestrian corridor connecting campus parking to the stadium, closes to vehicle traffic 4 hours before kickoff on gamedays. The closure creates a fan experience zone featuring the Razorback Walk, where players greet fans approximately 2 hours before kickoff.
The Gardens Tailgating Area
The Gardens, Arkansas’s designated tailgating zone, accommodates approximately 10,000 fans in a parkland setting adjacent to the stadium. The area features:
- Established tailgate plots available for season-long rental
- Open green space for walk-up tailgating (first-come, first-served)
- Restroom facilities and hand-washing stations
- Generator usage permitted in designated zones
Tailgating begins when campus lots open (typically 6-8 hours before kickoff for 2:30 PM or later games).
Hotels Near Reynolds Razorback Stadium
Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas offer multiple hotel options within 5 miles of the stadium. Hotels fill quickly for marquee opponents like Georgia, Texas, and LSU, with 6-8 months’ bookings recommended for these contests.
Closest Hotels to Stadium
- Embassy Suites Fayetteville – 0.8 miles from the stadium
- Chancellor Hotel – 1.2 miles from the stadium, on historic Dickson Street
- Hilton Garden Inn Fayetteville – 1.5 miles from stadium
- Graduate Fayetteville – 1.3 miles from stadium, boutique property
Rogers and Bentonville, located 20-30 minutes north of Fayetteville, provide overflow hotel capacity and connect to campus via gameday shuttle services operated by local transit authorities.
Bowl Eligibility and Postseason Outlook
Arkansas must win 6 games to achieve bowl eligibility under NCAA rules. The 2026 schedule’s difficulty creates a challenging path to 6 wins, with the non-conference slate offering the most favorable opportunities.
Projected Win-Total Scenarios
Optimistic Scenario (7-8 wins): Victories over North Alabama, Tulsa, Utah, Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Missouri, and one upset win against Georgia, Tennessee, or Auburn.
Realistic Scenario (5-6 wins): Victories over North Alabama, Tulsa, Vanderbilt, South Carolina, and Missouri, with competitive losses in ranked matchups.
Challenging Scenario (3-4 wins): Victories over North Alabama, Tulsa, and one SEC opponent, with first-year coaching transition struggles.
The SEC’s bowl tie-ins provide Arkansas with access to 10+ postseason bowl games if the team reaches 6 wins. The Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee (where Silverfield previously coached), represents a likely destination for 6-7 win Arkansas teams.
Historical Context: Recent Arkansas Football Seasons
Arkansas finished the 2025 season with a 2-10 record (0-8 SEC) under Sam Pittman and interim coach Bobby Petrino. The performance led to Pittman’s dismissal in September 2025 and the subsequent hiring of Ryan Silverfield.
Recent Season Records (2020-2025)
| Season | Overall Record | SEC Record | Bowl Game | Head Coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2-10 | 0-8 | None | Sam Pittman / Bobby Petrino (interim) |
| 2024 | 7-6 | 3-5 | Liberty Bowl (W, 39-26 vs. Texas Tech) | Sam Pittman |
| 2023 | 4-8 | 1-7 | None | Sam Pittman |
| 2022 | 7-6 | 3-5 | Liberty Bowl (W, 55-53 vs. Kansas, 3OT) | Sam Pittman |
| 2021 | 9-4 | 4-4 | Outback Bowl (W, 24-10 vs. Penn State) | Sam Pittman |
| 2020 | 3-7 | 3-7 | Texas Bowl (Canceled) | Sam Pittman |
The program’s peak under Pittman came during the 2021 season, when Arkansas finished 9-4 with notable victories over Texas (40-21) and Texas A&M (20-10) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Printable Arkansas Football Schedule 2026
Fans seeking a printable 2026 Arkansas football schedule can access PDF versions through:
- Arkansas Athletics official website (arkansasrazorbacks.com)
- FBSchedules.com database
- ESPN team schedule pages
The PDF format enables fans to print wallet-sized schedule cards or full-page calendars for display on their refrigerators. Schedule PDFs update automatically when the SEC announces official kickoff times and television assignments, typically occurring in June-August 2026 for early-season games.
Add the Arkansas Football Schedule to Your Calendar
Digital calendar integration allows fans to receive automatic notifications for kickoff time changes and television assignments. Arkansas Athletics provides calendar export files in multiple formats:
- iCal format – Compatible with Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook
- Google Calendar direct link – One-click subscription to auto-updating schedule
- Outlook format – Direct import to Microsoft Outlook desktop and web applications
Calendar subscriptions update automatically when Arkansas announces time changes, eliminating the need for manual schedule adjustments.
Arkansas Football Schedule Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 Arkansas football season start?
The 2026 Arkansas football season begins on Saturday, September 5, 2026, with a home game against North Alabama at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
How many home games does Arkansas play in 2026?
Arkansas plays 7 home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium during the 2026 season, including 5 SEC conference games and 2 non-conference matchups.
Who are Arkansas’s permanent SEC opponents starting in 2026?
Arkansas faces Texas, Missouri, and LSU as permanent SEC opponents annually starting in the 2026 season under the conference’s new scheduling format.
When is the Arkansas vs. Texas game in 2026?
Arkansas plays at Texas on Saturday, November 21, 2026, in Austin, Texas, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium for the Battle for the Golden Boot.
What time are Arkansas football games in 2026?
Kickoff times remain to be announced for all 2026 Arkansas football games. The SEC typically announces specific game times 6-12 days before each contest, with major matchups receiving earlier announcements during the summer of 2026.
Who is Arkansas’s head coach for the 2026 season?
Ryan Silverfield serves as Arkansas’s head coach for the 2026 season, marking his first year with the program after replacing Sam Pittman, who was fired in September 2025.
How do I buy Arkansas football tickets for 2026?
Arkansas football tickets for 2026 are available through the Razorback Ticket Office at arkansasrazorbacks.com or by calling the ticket office directly. Season tickets receive priority, with single-game tickets released several months before each contest.
When is Arkansas’s bye week in 2026?
Arkansas’s bye week occurs on Saturday, October 24, 2026, falling between the road game at Vanderbilt (October 17) and the home game against Missouri (October 31).
2026 Season Outlook and Expectations
Ryan Silverfield’s first season at Arkansas presents a rebuilding year with modest bowl eligibility goals amid one of the nation’s toughest schedules. The transition from Sam Pittman’s defensive-oriented approach to Tim Cramsey’s offensive system requires roster adaptation and schematic learning.
The 2026 Arkansas football schedule provides 7 home games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, giving Silverfield maximum home-field advantage during his inaugural season. Games against Georgia, Texas, and LSU serve as measuring sticks for program progress, while contests against Vanderbilt, South Carolina, and Missouri represent achievable conference victories.
The SEC’s 9-game conference format eliminates traditional scheduling advantages, forcing Arkansas to navigate a gauntlet of conference opponents without relief weeks. Success in 2026 depends on non-conference victories over North Alabama, Utah, and Tulsa, combined with 3-4 SEC wins to reach bowl eligibility.
