The Tennessee Volunteers football schedule for 2026 features 12 regular-season games, beginning September 5, 2026, against Furman and marking the program’s first season under the Southeastern Conference’s new 9-game conference format.
Tennessee hosts 7 home games at Neyland Stadium, including the historic first-ever visit from Texas on September 26, 2026.
2026 Tennessee Football Schedule: Game-by-Game Breakdown
The University of Tennessee announced its 2026 football schedule on December 11, 2025, confirming opponents, dates, and venue assignments for all 12 regular-season contests. Kickoff times and television networks remain to be determined, with announcements expected during summer 2026.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 5, 2026 | Furman | Knoxville, Tennessee | Non-Conference |
| September 12, 2026 | Georgia Tech | Atlanta, Georgia | Non-Conference |
| September 19, 2026 | Kennesaw State | Knoxville, Tennessee | Non-Conference |
| September 26, 2026 | Texas | Knoxville, Tennessee | SEC |
| October 3, 2026 | Auburn | Knoxville, Tennessee | SEC |
| October 10, 2026 | Arkansas | Fayetteville, Arkansas | SEC |
| October 17, 2026 | Alabama | Knoxville, Tennessee | SEC |
| October 24, 2026 | South Carolina | Columbia, South Carolina | SEC |
| October 31, 2026 | OPEN DATE | — | — |
| November 7, 2026 | Kentucky | Knoxville, Tennessee | SEC |
| November 14, 2026 | Texas A&M | College Station, Texas | SEC |
| November 21, 2026 | LSU | Knoxville, Tennessee | SEC |
| November 28, 2026 | Vanderbilt | Nashville, Tennessee | SEC |
Non-Conference Schedule
Tennessee plays 3 non-conference opponents before entering Southeastern Conference competition.
- Furman Paladins visit Neyland Stadium on Saturday, September 5, 2026, as the season opener. The Paladins compete in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision as members of the Southern Conference.
- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets host Tennessee at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday, September 12, 2026. This marks Tennessee’s only road non-conference game and represents a neutral-site recruiting opportunity in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
- Kennesaw State Owls arrive in Knoxville on Saturday, September 19, 202,6 for the final non-conference matchup. Kennesaw State transitioned from FCS to FBS in 2024 and competes in Conference USA.
SEC Schedule Breakdown
The 2026 season marks the first year of the Southeastern Conference’s 9-game conference schedule, expanding from the previous 8-game format. Tennessee faces 9 SEC opponents across 13 weeks.
Permanent SEC Opponents
Tennessee maintains three permanent conference opponents under the new SEC scheduling format:
- The Alabama Crimson Tide visits Neyland Stadium on Saturday, October 17, 2026, for the Third Saturday in October rivalry game. Tennessee finished 5-2 against SEC opponents in 2025 but fell to Alabama 37-20 on October 18, 2025, in Tuscaloosa.
- Kentucky Wildcats travel to Knoxville on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Tennessee defeated Kentucky 56-34 on October 25, 2025, in Lexington, demonstrating offensive efficiency with 504 total yards.
- Vanderbilt Commodores host Tennessee in Nashville on Friday, November 28, 2026. Vanderbilt upset Tennessee 45-24 on November 29, 2025, ending Tennessee’s 2025 regular season with a loss at Neyland Stadium.
Rotating SEC Opponents
- Six rotating SEC opponents complete Tennessee’s 2026 conference slate:
- Texas Longhorns make their first-ever visit to Knoxville on Saturday, September 26, 2026, opening Tennessee’s SEC schedule. Texas joined the Southeastern Conference in 2024 and has never played at Neyland Stadium.
- Auburn Tigers arrive on Saturday, October 3, 2026, for Tennessee’s second consecutive home SEC game.
- Arkansas Razorbacks host Tennessee in Fayetteville on Saturday, October 10, 2026. Tennessee won 34-31 at Neyland Stadium on October 11, 2025, converting 2 of 9 third-down attempts in a close victory.
- South Carolina Gamecocks play Tennessee in Columbia on Saturday, October 24, 2026, marking Tennessee’s first SEC road game of the 2026 season.
- Texas A&M Aggies welcome Tennessee to College Station on Saturday, November 14, 2026, during the critical late-season stretch.
- LSU Tigers visit Knoxville on Saturday, November 21, 2026, in Tennessee’s final home game and penultimate regular-season contest.
Tennessee Football 2026 Home Games at Neyland Stadium
Neyland Stadium hosts 7 home games during the 2026 season, including 5 Southeastern Conference matchups. Stadium renovations are scheduled for completion by Fall 2026, adding premium amenities and a new lower west sideline seating section.
Home Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| September 5, 2026 | Furman | Season opener |
| September 19, 2026 | Kennesaw State | Final non-conference home game |
| September 26, 2026 | Texas | SEC opener, historic first meeting at Neyland |
| October 3, 2026 | Auburn | Conference game |
| October 17, 2026 | Alabama | Third Saturday in October rivalry |
| November 7, 2026 | Kentucky | Permanent rivalry game |
| November 21, 2026 | LSU | Final home game |
Neyland Stadium capacity stands at 101,915, ranking as the nation’s fifth-largest college football venue. Tennessee averaged 101,915 attendance for home games during the 2025 season across 7 Neyland Stadium contests.
Season ticket pricing for 2026 increased 4% on average compared to 2025 rates, according to University of Tennessee Athletics announcements.
Tennessee Football 2026 Away Games Schedule
Tennessee plays 5 road games during the 2026 season, spanning 3 states and requiring travel to Georgia, Arkansas, South Carolina, Texas, and Tennessee.
Road Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location | Distance from Knoxville |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 12, 2026 | Georgia Tech | Atlanta, Georgia | 214 miles |
| October 10, 2026 | Arkansas | Fayetteville, Arkansas | 598 miles |
| October 24, 2026 | South Carolina | Columbia, South Carolina | 229 miles |
| November 14, 2026 | Texas A&M | College Station, Texas | 1,043 miles |
| November 28, 2026 | Vanderbilt | Nashville, Tennessee | 180 miles |
The Texas A&M trip represents Tennessee’s longest road game of 2026, requiring travel of more than 1,000 miles to Kyle Field in College Station.
Tennessee finished the 2025 season with a 3-1 record in true road games, winning at Mississippi State (41-34 in overtime), Kentucky (56-34), and Florida (31-11) while losing at Alabama (20-37).
Key Matchups on the Tennessee Football Schedule
Three games carry significant implications for Tennessee’s 2026 postseason positioning and recruiting momentum.
Texas vs Tennessee – September 26, 2026
Texas makes its inaugural visit to Neyland Stadium on Saturday, September 26, 2026, opening Tennessee’s SEC schedule. The Longhorns joined the Southeastern Conference in 2024 but have never faced Tennessee in Knoxville across the programs’ limited historical series.
Tennessee’s offense averaged 466.3 yards per game during the 2025 season under head coach Josh Heupel’s system. Quarterback Joey Aguilar completed 272 of 404 passes for 3,565 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2025, establishing a foundation for the 2026 season.
Alabama vs Tennessee – October 17, 2026
The Third Saturday in October rivalry returns to Neyland Stadium on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Alabama defeated Tennessee 37-20 in Tuscaloosa on October 18, 2025, holding Tennessee to 142 rushing yards and recording 4 sacks.
Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop rushed for 1,076 yards and 16 touchdowns across 13 games in 2025. Bishop’s 2026 performance against Alabama’s defensive front will influence Tennessee’s offensive balance.
LSU vs Tennessee – November 21, 2026
LSU visits Knoxville on Saturday, November 21, 2026, as Tennessee’s final home game before the season finale at Vanderbilt. This late-November matchup carries playoff implications in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff format.
Tennessee’s defense recorded 37 sacks during the 2025 season, led by edge rushers Dominic Bailey (5.5 sacks) and Joshua Josephs (4 sacks). Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles implements a 4-2-5 scheme designed to pressure opposing quarterbacks.
How the 9-Game SEC Schedule Affects Tennessee
The Southeastern Conference implemented a 9-game conference schedule beginning in 2026, expanding from the previous 8-game format. This structural change impacts Tennessee’s path to the SEC Championship Game and College Football Playoff.
Conference Schedule Format
Each SEC program maintains 3 permanent opponents and faces 6 rotating opponents annually. Tennessee’s permanent opponents are Alabama, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt.
The SEC Championship Game on Saturday, December 5, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta features the conference’s top 2 teams based on conference winning percentage. Tiebreakers include head-to-head results, record against common opponents, and cumulative conference opponent winning percentage.
Strength of Schedule Implications
Tennessee’s 2026 opponents include programs ranked in the final 2025 College Football Playoff rankings: Alabama, Texas, and LSU. The addition of a ninth conference game increases the likelihood of facing multiple ranked opponents.
Tennessee’s 2025 strength of schedule metrics showed the Volunteers faced opponents with a combined record of 95-91 across 13 regular-season games. The 2026 schedule’s difficulty will influence Tennessee’s College Football Playoff resume should the team compete for an at-large berth.
Tennessee Football Roster Outlook for 2026
Tennessee returns key contributors from an 8-5 season in 2025 while integrating recruiting classes ranked between 7th and 9th nationally according to major recruiting services.
Offensive Returning Production
Wide receiver Braylon Staley led Tennessee with 68 receptions for 837 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2025. Staley’s production provides quarterback continuity as Tennessee evaluates its 2026 signal-caller.
Quarterback George MacIntyre, a redshirt freshman in 2025, completed 7 of 9 passes for 69 yards across 2 appearances. MacIntyre competes with true freshman Faizon Brandon, ranked as a 5-star recruit and the nation’s top overall prospect in the 2026 recruiting class, for the starting position.
Running back production requires replacement following DeSean Bishop’s 1,076-yard season. Tennessee’s 2026 recruiting class includes multiple 4-star and 5-star running back prospects capable of contributing immediately.
Defensive Personnel
Linebacker Edwin Spillman recorded 81 total tackles (33 solo, 48 assisted) with 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in 2025. Spillman returns as a foundational piece in defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ scheme.
Safety Edrees Farooq contributed 76 total tackles, 2 interceptions, and 4 forced fumbles during the 2025 season. Farooq’s ball production addresses Tennessee’s turnover creation, which totaled 10 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries in 2025.
Defensive end Dominic Bailey led Tennessee with 5.5 sacks across 13 games. Bailey’s pass-rushing production anchors a defensive line that must replace multiple departing contributors.
Tennessee Football Schedule Tickets and Pricing
Single-game tickets for the 2026 Tennessee football schedule typically become available for purchase in summer 2026. Season ticket holders receive priority access to all home games at Neyland Stadium.
Season Ticket Information
Season ticket packages for 2026 increased 4% on average compared to 2025 pricing. University of Tennessee Athletics established this increase to fund facility improvements and program operations.
Season ticket holders receive guaranteed access to:
- 7 home games at Neyland Stadium
- Priority purchasing for the SEC Championship Game tickets
- Priority purchasing for bowl game tickets
- Exclusive pre-game events and experiences
Individual Game Ticket Ranges
Based on 2025 pricing structures, individual game tickets for Tennessee football range from $10 to $456, depending on opponent, seating location, and demand. Premium games against Alabama, Texas, and LSU command higher prices than non-conference matchups.
Secondary ticket markets, including Vivid Seats, StubHub, and SeatGeek, provide additional purchasing options once primary inventory sells out through University of Tennessee Athletics.
How to Watch Tennessee Football in 2026
Television broadcast assignments for Tennessee’s 2026 schedule will be announced during the summer of 2026. The Southeastern Conference maintains broadcast agreements with ESPN, ABC, CBS Sports, and SEC Network.
Broadcast Partners
- ESPN and ABC hold primary SEC broadcast rights through the 2026 season. Saturday afternoon and evening games typically appear on ESPN or ABC based on competitive balance and national interest.
- SEC Network carries games not selected for ESPN or ABC broadcast windows. SEC Network is available through cable, satellite, and streaming television providers.
- CBS Sports broadcasts one SEC game weekly during afternoon time slots, often featuring marquee conference matchups.
Streaming Options
ESPN+ streams select SEC games not broadcast on linear television networks. Tennessee’s non-conference games against Furman and Kennesaw State may appear on ESPN+ if not selected for ESPN or SEC Network coverage.
Tennessee Spring Game and Offseason Schedule
Tennessee conducts spring football practice during March and April 2026, culminating in the annual spring game at Neyland Stadium.
The Tennessee spring game in 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, 2026, with free admission to all fans. This scrimmage provides the first public evaluation of roster changes, scheme adjustments, and quarterback competition outcomes.
Head coach Josh Heupel enters his sixth season at Tennessee with a contract extending through January 2030. Heupel compiled a 38-17 record across four complete seasons from 2021-2024, winning 10 or more games in 2022 and 2023.
Neyland Stadium Renovations Completion Timeline
Major renovations to Neyland Stadium are scheduled for completion by Fall 2026, coinciding with the Tennessee football schedule. Improvements include:
- New lower west sideline seating section with premium amenities
- Enhanced concession areas and restroom facilities
- Upgraded videoboard and sound systems
- Improved accessibility features throughout the stadium
Total renovation costs exceed $100 million according to the University of Tennessee project announcements. Construction occurs during the 2025 and 2026 offseasons to minimize disruption to game-day operations.
The renovated stadium maintains its 101,915 capacity while improving fan experience and modernizing facilities to meet contemporary standards.
Tennessee Football Schedule Historical Context
Tennessee’s 2026 schedule difficulty ranks among the program’s most challenging based on opponent quality and the SEC’s 9-game conference format.
Recent Schedule Comparisons
Tennessee’s 2025 season featured 8 SEC games, including victories over Arkansas (34-31), Kentucky (56-34), and Florida (31-11). The Volunteers finished 4-4 in conference play, demonstrating inconsistency against SEC competition.
The 2024 Tennessee schedule included non-conference games against Syracuse and ETSU before SEC play. Tennessee won both games by a combined score of 117-43, establishing offensive rhythm before conference competition.
Bowl Game Implications
Teams with 6 regular-season victories become bowl eligible under NCAA rules. Tennessee’s 12-game schedule provides multiple pathways to bowl eligibility, though the 9-game SEC slate increases difficulty compared to previous scheduling formats.
Tennessee appeared in the 2025 bowl game on December 30, 2025, losing to Illinois 30-28 in a competitive contest. The Volunteers finished the 2025 season with an 8-5 overall record and 4-4 conference mark.
SEC Championship Game Qualification Path
Tennessee must finish among the top 2 teams in the Southeastern Conference based on conference winning percentage to qualify for the SEC Championship Game on Saturday, December 5, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Tiebreaker Procedures
When multiple teams finish with identical conference records, the SEC applies tiebreaker procedures:
- Head-to-head results among tied teams
- Record against common conference opponents
- Record against the highest-placed common conference opponents
- Cumulative conference opponent winning percentage
- Highest ranking in the College Football Playoff rankings
- Random draw
Tennessee’s 2026 schedule includes potential tiebreaker games against Texas, Alabama, and LSU—programs likely to compete for SEC Championship Game berths.
College Football Playoff Implications
The 12-team College Football Playoff format awards automatic bids to the 5 highest-ranked conference champions and 7 at-large berths. Tennessee can qualify through either pathway.
At-Large Bid Criteria
Teams competing for at-large playoff berths require strong records against ranked opponents, limited losses, and favorable strength of schedule metrics. Tennessee’s 2026 schedule provides multiple opportunities to accumulate resume-building victories.
The College Football Playoff Selection Committee emphasizes:
- Conference championship results
- Head-to-head results among the compared teams
- Strength of schedule based on opponents’ winning percentages
- Results against common opponents
- Performance in final regular-season games
Tennessee’s November schedule includes road games at Texas A&M and Vanderbilt, plus a home game against LSU, creating a challenging finish that will heavily influence playoff positioning.
Tennessee Recruiting and the 2026 Schedule
Tennessee’s 2026 recruiting class ranks between 7th and 9th nationally, with 13 four-star and five-star commitments according to major recruiting services. The schedule’s high-profile home games support recruiting efforts.
Home Game Recruiting Value
Official recruiting visits occur during fall weekends when prospects attend games at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee’s home schedule features:
- Texas on September 26, 2026 (first-ever meeting in Knoxville)
- Alabama on October 17, 2026 (Third Saturday in October)
- LSU on November 21, 2026 (final home game)
These matchups provide recruiting showcases demonstrating Tennessee’s competitive position within the Southeastern Conference.
Five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon, ranked as the nation’s top overall prospect in the 2026 class, enrolled early at Tennessee and participates in spring practice. Brandon’s presence influences additional elite prospects considering Tennessee.
Tennessee Football Schedule FAQs
When does the Tennessee football season start in 2026?
Tennessee opens the 2026 season on Saturday, September 5, 2026, against Furman at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.
How many home games does Tennessee play in 2026?
Tennessee plays 7 home games at Neyland Stadium during the 2026 season, including 5 SEC matchups and 2 non-conference games.
When does Tennessee play Alabama in 2026?
Tennessee faces Alabama on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Neyland Stadium for the Third Saturday in October rivalry game.
What is Tennessee’s SEC opener in 2026?
Tennessee opens SEC play on Saturday, September 26, 2026, against Texas at Neyland Stadium, marking Texas’s first-ever visit to Knoxville.
When are Tennessee football tickets available for 2026?
Single-game tickets typically become available during the summer of 2026, with season ticket holders receiving priority access. The University of Tennessee Athletics website provides official ticket information.
Does Tennessee have a bye week in 2026?
Tennessee’s bye week occurs on Saturday, October 31, 2026, positioned between the South Carolina road game and the home game against Kentucky.
Where can I watch Tennessee football games in 2026?
Tennessee games appear on ESPN, ABC, SEC Network, and CBS Sports, depending on broadcast selections announced during the summer of 2026. Streaming options include ESPN+ for select games.
How many SEC games does Tennessee play in 2026?
Tennessee plays 9 SEC games in 2026 under the conference’s new scheduling format, an increase from the previous 8-game structure.
