The 2026 Cal football schedule features 12 games beginning Saturday, September 5, 2026, against UCLA at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California.
The Golden Bears play seven home games and five road games in their second season as an Atlantic Coast Conference member under first-year head coach Tosh Lupoi.
Cal’s 2026 slate includes nine ACC conference matchups and three non-conference opponents: UCLA (September 5), Wagner (September 19), and UNLV (October 3). The season concludes with the 129th Big Game against Stanford on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at California Memorial Stadium.
Table of Contents
2026 Cal Football Schedule: Full Game Dates & Opponents
| Date | Opponent | Location | Conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, September 5, 2026 | UCLA | Berkeley, CA | Non-Conference |
| Saturday, September 12, 2026 | at Syracuse | Syracuse, NY | ACC |
| Saturday, September 19, 2026 | Wagner | Berkeley, CA | Non-Conference |
| Friday, September 25, 2026 | Clemson | Berkeley, CA | ACC |
| Saturday, October 3, 2026 | at UNLV | Las Vegas, NV | Non-Conference |
| Saturday, October 10, 2026 | Virginia Tech | Berkeley, CA | ACC |
| Saturday, October 17, 2026 | Wake Forest | Berkeley, CA | ACC |
| Saturday, October 24, 2026 | at SMU | Dallas, TX | ACC |
| Saturday, October 31, 2026 | at NC State | Raleigh, NC | ACC |
| Saturday, November 14, 2026 | at Virginia | Charlottesville, VA | ACC |
| Saturday, November 21, 2026 | Stanford (129th Big Game) | Berkeley, CA | ACC |
| Saturday, November 28, 2026 | Pittsburgh | Berkeley, CA | ACC |
California Memorial Stadium hosts all seven home games. The schedule features a Friday night prime-time matchup against Clemson on September 25, 2026.
Cal Football 2026 Season Overview
First Season Under Tosh Lupoi
Cal enters 2026 under head coach Tosh Lupoi following Justin Wilcox’s dismissal in November 2025. Wilcox compiled a 48-55 record across nine seasons (2017-2025), finishing 7-6 overall and 4-4 in ACC play during the 2025 campaign.
Lupoi, a former Cal linebacker who played from 2003-2005, returns to Berkeley after serving as Oregon’s defensive coordinator in 2025. During his tenure at Oregon, Lupoi’s defense ranked among the top three nationally in multiple categories.
The Golden Bears added 34 players through the 2026 transfer portal, ranking second in the ACC for incoming transfer talent. This roster overhaul represents the most significant personnel turnover in program history during a single offseason.
ACC Conference Membership
The 2026 season marks Cal’s second year in the Atlantic Coast Conference after 109 seasons in the Pac-12 Conference (1915-2024). The Golden Bears joined the ACC alongside Stanford, SMU, and other former Pac-12 schools following the conference realignment in 2024.
Cal plays nine ACC conference games under the league’s 2026 scheduling model. Conference opponents include Syracuse, Clemson, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, SMU, NC State, Virginia, Stanford, and Pittsburgh.
The ACC alignment creates significant geographic challenges. Cal travels approximately 22,000 air miles for five road conference games, all located in the Eastern or Central time zones. Road trips include Syracuse (2,556 miles), Virginia (2,427 miles), NC State (2,415 miles), SMU (1,462 miles), and Pittsburgh (2,232 miles).
Cal Football Schedule 2026: Home Games at California Memorial Stadium
Seven Home Games in Berkeley
California Memorial Stadium seats 63,186 spectators following the 2010-2012 seismic renovation that reduced capacity from the original 71,799. The venue, built in 1923, sits at the mouth of Strawberry Canyon with views of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Cal hosts UCLA (September 5), Wagner (September 19), Clemson (September 25), Virginia Tech (October 10), Wake Forest (October 17), Stanford (November 21), and Pittsburgh (November 28) at California Memorial Stadium in 2026.
Notable Home Matchups
Clemson (Friday, September 25, 2026): The Tigers make their first regular-season visit to Berkeley since 1992. Cal and Clemson last met in the 1992 Citrus Bowl. The Friday night prime-time slot represents one of Cal’s highest-profile home games in recent seasons.
Stanford (Saturday, November 21, 2026): The 129th Big Game continues the oldest football rivalry west of the Mississippi River. Stanford leads the all-time series 68-54-11. The rivalry persists despite both schools competing in the ACC rather than their traditional Pac-12 home.
UCLA (Saturday, September 5, 2026): The season opener renews a former Pac-12 rivalry as a non-conference matchup. Cal and UCLA maintain a scheduling agreement through 2029 following conference realignment.
California Memorial Stadium Details
The stadium underwent complete seismic retrofitting from 2010-2012 at a cost of $321 million. The renovation addressed structural concerns related to the Hayward Fault, which runs directly beneath the stadium’s eastern side.
Current amenities include premium seating areas (Field Club, Loge Boxes), modernized concourses, and enhanced accessibility features. The venue hosts its 104th season of Cal football in 2026.
Cal Football 2026 Road Schedule
Five Away Games Across Four Time Zones
Cal plays five road games in 2026, with four located in the Eastern Time Zone. The Golden Bears travel to Syracuse (September 12), UNLV (October 3), SMU (October 24), NC State (October 31), and Virginia (November 14).
ACC Road Schedule Challenges
Syracuse (Saturday, September 12, 2026): Cal’s first road trip covers 2,556 miles to the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York. The Golden Bears made their initial visit to Syracuse in 2024 during their first ACC season.
NC State (Saturday, October 31, 2026): The Halloween weekend matchup in Raleigh, North Carolina, represents Cal’s third consecutive road game in October. Carter-Finley Stadium seats 57,583.
Virginia (Saturday, November 14, 2026): Cal makes its first-ever visit to Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia. The venue holds 61,500 spectators and sits on the University of Virginia’s central grounds.
Non-Conference Road Game
UNLV (Saturday, October 3, 2026): Cal travels 550 miles to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 65,000-seat NFL facility opened in 2020 and serves as UNLV’s home venue for marquee games.
2026 Cal Football Roster & Personnel Changes
Transfer Portal Impact
Cal added 34 players through the 2026 transfer portal, the second-highest total in the ACC. Key additions address offensive line depth, defensive secondary positions, and skill position talent.
The transfer class includes players from Power Five programs seeking increased playing time or coaching scheme fits. This influx represents 28% of Cal’s projected 2026 roster.
Returning Key Players
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele returns as Cal’s starting quarterback after a breakout 2025 freshman season. Sagapolutele completed 316 of 492 passes (64.2%) for 3,454 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions in 2025. He added 4 rushing touchdowns despite negative rushing yardage (-120 yards on 60 attempts).
Jacob De Jesus leads Cal’s receiving corps after recording 108 receptions for 1,030 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2025. De Jesus also returned 22 punts for 259 yards and handled kick return duties (18 returns for 363 yards).
The Golden Bears lost leading rusher Kendrick Raphael, who rushed for 943 yards and 13 touchdowns on 232 carries in 2025 (4.1 yards per attempt). Raphael’s departure creates the largest personnel void entering 2026.
Coaching Staff Changes
Nick Rolovich joins Cal as assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach. Rolovich previously served as Hawaii’s head coach (2016-2019) and Washington State’s head coach (2020-2021).
The defensive staff features multiple Oregon assistants who followed Lupoi from Eugene. This coaching continuity aims to implement Lupoi’s defensive system, which ranked third nationally in total defense at Oregon in 2025.
Cal Football 2025 Season Results
Cal finished the 2025 season with a 7-6 record (4-4 ACC), including a loss to Hawaii in the December 24, 2025, bowl game. The Golden Bears won seven games for the third time in four seasons under Wilcox.
2025 Season Game Results
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, August 30, 2025 | at Oregon State | W | 34-15 | Corvallis, OR |
| Saturday, September 6, 2025 | Texas Southern | W | 35-3 | Berkeley, CA |
| Saturday, September 13, 2025 | Minnesota | W | 27-14 | Berkeley, CA |
| Saturday, September 20, 2025 | at San Diego State | L | 0-34 | San Diego, CA |
| Saturday, September 27, 2025 | at Boston College | W | 28-24 | Chestnut Hill, MA |
| Saturday, October 4, 2025 | Duke | L | 21-45 | Berkeley, CA |
| Friday, October 17, 2025 | North Carolina | W | 21-18 | Berkeley, CA |
| Saturday, October 24, 2025 | at Virginia Tech | L | 34-42 | Blacksburg, VA |
| Saturday, November 1, 2025 | Virginia | L | 21-31 | Berkeley, CA |
| Saturday, November 8, 2025 | at Louisville | W | 29-26 | Louisville, KY |
| Friday, November 22, 2025 | at Stanford | L | 10-31 | Stanford, CA |
| Saturday, November 29, 2025 | SMU | W | 38-35 | Berkeley, CA |
| Tuesday, December 24, 2025 | at Hawaii | L | 31-35 | Honolulu, HI |
2025 Statistical Performance
Cal averaged 25.3 points per game while allowing 27.2 points per game. The Golden Bears ranked 89th nationally in total offense (357.6 yards per game) and 76th in total defense (361.8 yards per game).
Offensive Statistics:
- Total yards: 4,649 (357.6 per game)
- Passing yards: 3,587 (275.9 per game)
- Rushing yards: 1,062 (81.7 per game)
- Points scored: 329 (25.3 per game)
Defensive Statistics:
- Total yards allowed: 4,703 (361.8 per game)
- Passing yards allowed: 2,670 (205.4 per game)
- Rushing yards allowed: 2,033 (156.4 per game)
- Points allowed: 353 (27.2 per game)
Cal’s rushing offense ranked 128th nationally at 81.7 yards per game, the program’s lowest total since 2013. The passing offense compensated with 275.9 yards per game, ranking 42nd nationally.
Big Game Rivalry: Cal vs Stanford 2026
129th Meeting on November 21, 2026
Cal hosts Stanford for the 129th Big Game on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at California Memorial Stadium. The rivalry, which began in 1892, continues despite both schools now competing in the ACC.
Stanford leads the all-time series 68-54-11. The Cardinal won the 2025 meeting 31-10 in Stanford, California, on Friday, November 22, 2025.
Stanford Axe Trophy
The winning team receives the Stanford Axe, a trophy featuring a 15-pound axe blade mounted on a wooden handle. Stanford has held the Axe since defeating Cal in 2025.
The Axe tradition dates to 1899 when Stanford yell leaders brought an axe to a baseball game against Cal. The axe became the rivalry’s official trophy in 1933.
ACC Scheduling Protection
The ACC grants protected rivalry status to Cal-Stanford, ensuring the schools meet annually regardless of conference division alignments. This protection preserves the West Coast’s oldest football rivalry within the Eastern-based conference structure.
Cal Football Tickets 2026
Season Tickets & Single-Game Purchases
Cal football season tickets for 2026 provide access to all seven home games at California Memorial Stadium. Season ticket packages range from $270 to $850 per seat, depending on section location.
Single-game tickets typically become available 60-90 days before each game. Premium matchups (Clemson, Stanford) command higher prices than non-conference games (Wagner, UCLA).
Ticket Pricing by Opponent
High-demand games (Clemson on September 25, Stanford on November 21) feature ticket prices from $65 to $175 on secondary markets. Mid-tier ACC opponents (Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Pittsburgh) range from $45 to $95. Non-conference games (Wagner) start at $34.
Student Tickets
Cal students access discounted tickets through the university’s student section allocation. Student tickets cost $5-$15 per game for most matchups, with slight increases for premium opponents.
The Rally Committee distributes approximately 8,000 student tickets for each home game. Students must present a valid UC Berkeley identification for entry.
Ticket Purchase Locations
Official tickets are available through:
- Cal Athletics ticket office (Haas Pavilion)
- CalBears.com online portal
- Secondary markets (StubHub, SeatGeek, Ticketmaster)
Cal Football TV Schedule & Broadcast Information
ACC Network Coverage
The Atlantic Coast Conference holds exclusive broadcast rights for Cal’s 2026 conference games. Games air on ESPN networks (ACC Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU) or ABC, depending on competitive significance and national television windows.
The ACC Network carries most regular-season conference games not selected for ESPN or ABC broadcasts. Friday night games (Clemson on September 25) typically receive ESPN or ABC prime-time slots.
Broadcast Schedule Release Timeline
The ACC releases specific game times and television assignments in phases:
- April 2026: First wave includes opening weeks and marquee matchups
- May 2026: Additional September and October games
- Six-day selections: Late-season games announced weekly based on conference standings
Streaming Options
ESPN+ streams ACC Network games requiring subscription access. All ESPN-televised games are available through the ESPN app with valid cable provider credentials.
Radio broadcasts air on the Cal Bears Sports Network, with terrestrial coverage on KGO 810 AM in the San Francisco Bay Area. Justin Allegri provides play-by-play commentary.
California Memorial Stadium Parking & Game Day Information
Parking Options
California Memorial Stadium offers multiple parking locations for game day attendees:
Underhill Parking Structure: 550 spaces located 0.2 miles from the stadium. Parking costs $40 per vehicle. Pre-purchase recommended for high-demand games.
Recreational Sports Facility Lot: 300 spaces at $30 per vehicle. Walk time to the stadium: 8-10 minutes.
Remote lots with shuttle service: Lower Hearst Parking Structure and Maxwell Family Field lots provide complimentary shuttles starting 3 hours before kickoff.
Public Transportation Access
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) provides direct access to UC Berkeley via the Downtown Berkeley station, located 1.2 miles from California Memorial Stadium. AC Transit buses 51B and 52 serve campus routes from BART stations.
Game day parking restrictions apply on campus streets within a 0.5-mile radius of the stadium. Street parking requires residential permits or meter payment until 6:00 PM on Saturdays.
Stadium Gates & Entry
Gates open 90 minutes before scheduled kickoff times. Bag policy restricts entries to clear bags (12″ x 6″ x 12″) or small clutches (4.5″ x 6.5″). Security screening occurs at all entry points.
California Memorial Stadium prohibits outside food and beverages except one factory-sealed plastic water bottle (20 ounces maximum) per person.
Cal Football 2026 Strength of Schedule Analysis
ACC Schedule Difficulty
Cal faces 6 teams that finished the 2025 season with winning records: Clemson (11-2, ACC Championship Game participant), SMU (11-3, ACC Championship Game participant), Virginia Tech (8-5), Syracuse (8-5), Wake Forest (7-6), and Stanford (7-6).
The 2026 opponents combined for a .547 winning percentage in 2025 (71-59 aggregate record). This strength of schedule ranks 6th among ACC schools for 2026.
Toughest Matchups
Clemson (Friday, September 25, 2026): The Tigers return 18 starters from their 2025 ACC Championship Game appearance. Clemson ranks 8th nationally in returning production for 2026.
at SMU (Saturday, October 24, 2026): SMU finished 11-3 in 2025 with home-field advantage at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas. The Mustangs return starting quarterback Kevin Jennings.
at NC State (Saturday, October 31, 2026): NC State presents a challenging Halloween road environment at Carter-Finley Stadium. The Wolfpack averaged 43,250 attendance in 2025.
Favorable Matchups
Wagner (Saturday, September 19, 2026): The FCS opponent from the Northeast Conference provides Cal’s most winnable game. Wagner finished 4-7 in the 2025 FCS competition.
Virginia (Saturday, November 14, 2026): Virginia finished 5-7 in 2025 with a 1-7 ACC record. The Cavaliers rank last among Cal’s 2026 ACC opponents in returning production.
Cal Football Recruiting & NIL Impact
2026 Recruiting Class
Cal’s 2026 recruiting class ranks 11th in the ACC and 58th nationally according to composite rankings. The class includes 17 high school signees and 34 transfer portal additions.
Head coach Tosh Lupoi’s California recruiting connections provide access to elite in-state talent. The 2026 class features 9 signees from California high schools, up from 5 California signees in Cal’s 2025 class.
Transfer Portal Strategy
The 34-player transfer portal haul addresses immediate roster needs at offensive line (6 additions), defensive back (7 additions), and linebacker (5 additions). This transfer-heavy approach prioritizes short-term competitiveness over traditional high school development.
Transfer additions include players from Rutgers (wide receiver), Ohio (wide receiver), Georgia (defensive back), and Colorado State (quarterback). The quarterback transfer competition features Jackson Brosseau (Colorado State) challenging returning starter Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele.
Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) Collective
Cal’s NIL collective, Cal Legends, facilitates athlete endorsement opportunities and compensation packages. The collective aims to compete with ACC peers in athlete retention and transfer portal recruitment.
NIL funding remains below ACC conference averages, creating challenges in recruiting against better-funded programs. Cal’s academic reputation and San Francisco Bay Area location provide competitive advantages beyond direct financial compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cal Football Schedule 2026
When does Cal football play in 2026?
Cal plays 12 football games from Saturday, September 5, 2026, through Saturday, November 28, 2026. The season opener against UCLA kicks off the campaign at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California.
How many home games does Cal have in 2026?
Cal hosts 7 home games at California Memorial Stadium in 2026. Home opponents include UCLA, Wagner, Clemson, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Stanford, and Pittsburgh.
Is the Big Game home or away in 2026?
Cal hosts Stanford for the 129th Big Game on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. The rivalry game serves as Cal’s penultimate home contest before the season finale against Pittsburgh.
What channel broadcasts Cal football games?
Cal football games air on ESPN networks (ACC Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU) or ABC. The ACC releases specific television assignments 60-180 days before each game. All games stream via ESPN+ or the ESPN app with provider credentials.
Does Cal play UCLA in 2026?
Cal opens the 2026 season against UCLA on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at California Memorial Stadium. The game represents a non-conference renewal of the former Pac-12 rivalry.
What time do Cal football games start?
Game times are announced 6-12 weeks before kickoff. Typical start times include 12:30 PM PT (afternoon games), 4:00 PM PT (late afternoon), and 7:30 PM PT (prime time). The ACC assigns times based on television windows and competitive matchups.
Where can I buy Cal football tickets for 2026?
Cal football tickets are available through CalBears.com, the Haas Pavilion ticket office, and secondary markets (StubHub, SeatGeek, Ticketmaster). Season tickets range from $270 to $850. Single-game tickets are released 60-90 days before each game.
How do I get to California Memorial Stadium?
California Memorial Stadium is accessible via BART to the Downtown Berkeley station (1.2 miles), AC Transit buses 51B and 52, or a personal vehicle with parking at the Underhill Structure ($40) or campus lots ($30). Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff.
