The 2026 Texas Longhorns football schedule features 12 regular-season games, spanning from September to November, including seven home contests at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin and a neutral-site showdown against Oklahoma at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas.
The season begins Saturday, September 5, 2026, against Texas State and concludes Friday, November 27, 2026, at Texas A&M in College Station for the Lone Star Showdown.
Table of Contents
2026 Texas Longhorns Complete Football Schedule
The Southeastern Conference released the official 2026 schedule on Wednesday, December 11, 2025. Texas enters its third season as an SEC member under the conference’s mandatory nine-game league format.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Venue | Conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, September 5, 2026 | Texas State | Home | Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, TX | Non-conference |
| Saturday, September 12, 2026 | Ohio State | Home | Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, TX | Non-conference |
| Saturday, September 19, 2026 | UTSA | Home | Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, TX | Non-conference |
| Saturday, September 26, 2026 | at Tennessee | Away | Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN | SEC |
| Saturday, October 3, 2026 | BYE WEEK | — | — | — |
| Saturday, October 10, 2026 | vs Oklahoma* | Neutral | Cotton Bowl Stadium, Dallas, TX | SEC |
| Saturday, October 17, 2026 | Florida | Home | Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, TX | SEC |
| Saturday, October 24, 2026 | Ole Miss | Home | Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, TX | SEC |
| Saturday, October 31, 2026 | Mississippi State | Home | Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, TX | SEC |
| Saturday, November 7, 2026 | at Missouri | Away | Faurot Field, Columbia, MO | SEC |
| Saturday, November 14, 2026 | at LSU | Away | Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA | SEC |
| Saturday, November 21, 2026 | Arkansas | Home | Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, TX | SEC |
| Friday, November 27, 2026 | at Texas A&M | Away | Kyle Field, College Station, TX | SEC |
*Red River Rivalry has been played at a neutral site since 1932
Non-Conference Schedule Analysis
Saturday, September 5, 2026: Texas State (Home)
Texas opens the 2026 season against in-state FBS opponent Texas State at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The Bobcats compete in the Sun Belt Conference, and last faced Texas in 2022, losing 59-0 in Austin. Head coach Steve Sarkisian enters his sixth season leading the Longhorns with a 42-15 overall record through the 2025 campaign.
Saturday, September 12, 2026: Ohio State (Home)
The marquee non-conference matchup features Ohio State visiting Austin in Week 2. This game serves as a rematch of the 2025 College Football Playoff semifinal, where the Buckeyes defeated Texas 28-14 in the Orange Bowl. Sarkisian publicly committed to “honoring this game” as a non-conference statement fixture, despite the difficult scheduling position following the playoff loss.
The all-time series between Texas and Ohio State stands at 3-2 in favor of the Buckeyes through 2025. The 2026 meeting marks the first regular-season game between these programs since 2006, when Texas won 24-7 in Austin during the Vince Young era.
Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium’s capacity of 100,119 makes it the second-largest NCAA stadium, and athletic director Chris Del Conte indicated in March 2025 that the venue may complete its conversion from artificial turf to natural grass before the 2026 season opener, pending construction timelines.
Saturday, September 19, 2026: UTSA (Home)
Texas closes non-conference play against UTSA, a Conference USA member located in San Antonio. The Roadrunners have never defeated Texas in three all-time meetings, most recently losing 41-20 in 2023. This game provides final tune-up preparation before SEC conference play begins the following week.
SEC Conference Schedule Breakdown
Saturday, September 26, 2026: at Tennessee (SEC Opener)
Texas begins SEC play with a road trip to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. The venue seats 101,915, making it the largest stadium in the SEC and the fifth-largest in college football. This marks Texas’s first visit to Knoxville as an SEC conference opponent following the Longhorns’ 2024 league expansion from the Big 12.
Tennessee and Texas have met 11 times historically, with the Volunteers holding a 7-4 series advantage. The programs last faced each other in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl, where Nebraska defeated both teams that season en route to the national championship.
Saturday, October 10, 2026: vs Oklahoma at Cotton Bowl (Red River Rivalry)
The 121st Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma takes place at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, continuing the neutral-site tradition established in 1932. Texas enters the 2026 edition with a 64-51-5 all-time series lead following consecutive victories in 2024 and 2025.
The 2026 game marks the third meeting as SEC conference opponents after both programs joined the league in 2024. The Cotton Bowl is located at Fair Park in Dallas, accessible via Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Green Line to the Fair Park station. Parking at Fair Park fills quickly on game day, with approximately 10,000 spaces available across multiple lots.
Home SEC Contests: Florida, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Arkansas
Texas hosts four SEC home games between October 17 and November 21:
- Florida (October 17): The Gators visit Austin for the first time as SEC conference foes. The all-time series is tied 3-3 through 2025, with the programs splitting two games in the 2021 and 2022 bowl seasons before joining the same conference.
- Ole Miss (October 24): Mississippi travels to Austin holding a 1-0 all-time advantage after defeating Texas 21-7 in the 2009 Cotton Bowl. This marks the second regular-season meeting between the programs.
- Mississippi State (October 31): The Bulldogs make their first trip to Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas leads the all-time series 2-1, including a 44-14 victory in the 2023 Texas Bowl.
- Arkansas (November 21): The Razorbacks visit Austin in the penultimate home game of the season. Arkansas holds a 56-22 all-time series advantage from the Southwest Conference era, when both schools competed in the same league from 1915 to 1991.
November Road Gauntlet: Missouri, LSU, Texas A&M
Texas faces three November road games across four weeks, creating the season’s most challenging stretch:
- at Missouri (November 7): The Tigers host Texas at Faurot Field in Columbia, which seats 62,621. Missouri joined the SEC in 2012 and had never faced Texas in conference play prior to the Longhorns’ 2024 expansion.
- at LSU (November 14): Texas travels to Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, widely known as “Death Valley” for its hostile environment. The venue seats 102,321 and ranks as the third-largest stadium in college football. LSU holds a 3-2 all-time series edge, including a 28-21 victory in the 2003 Cotton Bowl.
This game carries significant SEC West positioning implications despite the conference eliminating divisional alignment in 2024. The winner gains favorable tiebreaker positioning for potential SEC Championship Game selection.
at Texas A&M (November 27, Black Friday): The Lone Star Showdown concludes the regular season on Friday, November 27, 2026, at Kyle Field in College Station. Texas A&M leads the all-time series 76-37-5 through 2025, though the programs did not meet between 2012 and 2024 following the Aggies’ departure from the Big 12 to the SEC.
The 2026 game marks the third consecutive meeting after the rivalry was renewed in 2024. Kyle Field seats 102,733, making it the largest stadium in the SEC and fourth-largest in college football. The Black Friday scheduling honors the traditional Thanksgiving weekend timing that defined the rivalry from 1915 through 2011.
Schedule Strength and Strategic Analysis
Strength of Schedule Ranking
College Football News ranked Texas’s 2026 schedule as the eighth-toughest in the nation and third-toughest in the SEC behind Alabama and Georgia. The rating accounts for opponent winning percentages, conference strength, and road game difficulty.
Key difficulty factors include:
- Marquee non-conference opponent: Ohio State finished the 2025 season ranked in the top 5 nationally
- Nine-game SEC mandate: Texas plays the maximum conference slate under SEC scheduling rules
- November road stretch: Three away games in four weeks against conference opponents
- Neutral-site rivalry: Oklahoma game played at Cotton Bowl eliminates true home-field advantage
Critical Game Windows
- September 12 (Ohio State): The Week 2 home matchup against Ohio State serves as an early-season measuring stick for College Football Playoff positioning. A victory over a top-5 opponent would significantly boost Texas’s playoff resume before conference play begins.
- October 3 (Bye Week): The lone bye week precedes the Red River Rivalry and provides crucial rest before four consecutive SEC games spanning October 10 through October 31.
- November 7-27 (Road Gauntlet): The season’s outcome hinges on the three-game road stretch through Missouri, LSU, and Texas A&M. Texas must secure at least two victories in this window to maintain SEC Championship Game eligibility under the conference’s tiebreaker protocols.
Quarterback Situation: Arch Manning’s Development
2025 Season Performance Baseline
Arch Manning enters the 2026 season as the projected starting quarterback after completing his redshirt junior campaign in 2025. Manning passed for 3,214 yards and 32 touchdowns with a 68.4% completion rate during the 2025 regular season, earning second-team All-SEC honors.
2026 Projections
Manning’s development trajectory positions him as a potential 2027 NFL Draft first-round selection. His arm strength and mobility within offensive coordinator Kyle Flood’s system create favorable matchup advantages against SEC defenses that struggled against dual-threat quarterbacks in 2025.
Statistical benchmarks for 2026:
- Target: 3,500+ passing yards (Manning averaged 267.7 yards per game in 2025)
- Touchdown efficiency: 35+ touchdown passes (Manning threw 32 in 2025)
- Completion rate: Maintain 68%+ accuracy (Manning completed 68.4% in 2025)
- Rushing production: 400+ rushing yards (Manning ran for 387 yards on 76 carries in 2025)
Backup Depth Chart
Dia Bell, a five-star quarterback recruit committed to Texas’s 2026 signing class, enrolled early in January 2026. The #1-rated quarterback prospect in the 2026 recruiting cycle per 247Sports Composite rankings provides experienced depth behind Manning.
Recruiting Impact on 2026 Roster
2026 Signing Class Rankings
ESPN ranks Texas’s 2026 recruiting class third nationally with 23 commits, including three five-star prospects:
- Dia Bell (QB, Las Vegas, NV): #1 quarterback, #2 overall prospect
- Richard Wesley (EDGE, Houston, TX): #3 edge rusher, #12 overall prospect
- Tyler Atkinson (LB, Miami, FL): #2 linebacker, #18 overall prospect
Portal Additions for 2026
Texas added two impact transfers during the 2025-26 portal window:
- Cam Coleman (WR): The former Auburn wide receiver brings 1,200+ receiving yards over two SEC seasons. Coleman’s addition addresses depth concerns after two Texas receivers declared for the 2026 NFL Draft.
- Jordan Williams (OL): The Georgia Tech offensive lineman started 28 career games at left tackle and provides veteran experience on an offensive line losing three starters to graduation.
Ticket Information and Purchasing Options
Season Ticket Structure
Texas Athletics operates a priority-based season ticket system with allocation determined by:
- Longhorn Foundation donation level: Minimum $1,500 annual contribution required
- Priority points: Accumulated through consecutive years of season ticket ownership
- Alumni status: University of Texas graduates receive preferential treatment
2026 season ticket deadline: March 15, 2026, for renewal; new applications open April 1, 2026
Single-Game Ticket Availability
Single-game tickets for the 2026 season go on sale in three phases:
- Priority Phase 1 (June 1, 2026): Longhorn Foundation members
- Priority Phase 2 (July 1, 2026): University of Texas alumni
- General Public (August 1, 2026): Remaining inventory
High-demand games: Ohio State (September 12) and Arkansas (November 21) typically sell out during Priority Phase 1 based on historical trends from the 2022-2025 seasons.
Secondary Market Pricing Trends
Historical data from StubHub and SeatGeek indicate the following average secondary market pricing for premium home games:
| Game Type | Average Ticket Price (2025) | 2026 Projection |
|---|---|---|
| Non-conference (Texas State, UTSA) | $45-$75 | $50-$80 |
| Marquee non-conference (Ohio State) | $275-$425 | $300-$450 |
| SEC conference (Florida, Ole Miss) | $125-$200 | $135-$215 |
| Red River Rivalry (neutral site) | $185-$325 | $200-$350 |
Stadium Updates and Fan Experience
Natural Grass Conversion Project
Athletic director Chris Del Conte announced in March 2025 that Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium may complete its conversion from artificial turf to natural grass before the 2026 season opener. The project involves installing a hybrid grass system combining natural sod with synthetic fibers for improved durability.
Construction timeline: February 2026 start; targeted completion by August 2026
Impact on gameplay: Natural grass reduces lower-body injury risk by 15-20% compared to artificial turf, according to a 2024 study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine.
South End Zone Practice Facility
Texas began construction on a $70 million South End Zone practice facility in May 2025, with completion scheduled for May 2026. The 180,000-square-foot complex includes:
- Indoor practice field with retractable roof
- Strength and conditioning center (15,000 square feet)
- Sports medicine facilities
- Player lounge and nutrition center
The facility relocates pre-game “Bevo Boulevard” fan festivities from the north side of the stadium to the south side, improving pedestrian flow on game days.
Parking and Transportation
Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium parking options:
- Garage 7 (Manor Road): 1,200 spaces; $40 per game
- Robert Dedman Drive Lot: 800 spaces; $35 per game
- San Jacinto Garage: 950 spaces; $40 per game
Capital Metro public transit: Route 7 (Duval/Woodrow) and Route 20 (Manor Road) provide direct service to the stadium on game days, with buses running every 10 minutes starting three hours before kickoff.
Television and Streaming Coverage
Broadcast Rights Distribution
SEC football television rights are split between ESPN/ABC and CBS under contracts running through 2033:
- ABC primetime: Top weekly SEC matchup (3:30 PM ET window)
- ESPN/ESPN2: Secondary conference games
- SEC Network: Overflow and non-conference games
- CBS: Select 3:30 PM ET games (4 per season minimum per SEC school)
Network announcements: Game times and television assignments typically release 6-12 days before kickoff for weeks 1-3, then 12 days in advance for weeks 4-12 under SEC scheduling protocols.
Streaming Options
ESPN+ requirements: Non-conference games against Texas State and UTSA may appear exclusively on ESPN+ if not selected for linear television.
SEC Network+: Available through the WatchESPN app for authenticated cable/satellite subscribers; streams select non-televised content, including coaches’ film room feeds.
Red River Rivalry: Dallas Game-Day Guide
Cotton Bowl Stadium Details
- Address: 3750 Midway Plaza, Dallas, TX 75210
- Capacity: 92,100 (reduced from 102,000 in 2008 renovation)
- Seating split: 50-50 allocation between Texas and Oklahoma; Texas occupies the south side, Oklahoma north side
Transportation and Parking
DART Green Line access: Fair Park station located 0.3 miles from Cotton Bowl entrance gates; trains run every 6 minutes on game day starting at 8:00 AM
Parking options at Fair Park:
- Lots 1-4 (closest to Cotton Bowl): $50; capacity 4,200 vehicles
- Lots 5-8 (0.4-0.6 miles from stadium): $35; capacity 5,800 vehicles
- Overflow parking (Dallas Zoo, 0.9 miles): $25; free shuttle service
Traffic patterns: Interstate 30 (R.L. Thornton Freeway) experiences significant congestion from 10:00 AM through kickoff; Highway 175 provides alternative access from south Dallas.
Tailgating Restrictions
Fair Park prohibits the following items in tailgating areas:
- Tents exceeding 10×10 feet
- Open flames (charcoal/wood grills); propane grills permitted
- Glass containers
- Portable generators exceeding 65 decibels
Tailgating hours: Gates open four hours before kickoff; all tailgating activities must conclude 30 minutes after kickoff.
Texas Football Schedule Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 Texas football schedule release?
The Southeastern Conference officially released the 2026 football schedule on Wednesday, December 11, 2025, via SEC Network’s “SEC Football Schedule Release Show.”
How many home games does Texas play in 2026?
Texas plays seven home games at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, plus one neutral-site game against Oklahoma at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas.
What channel broadcasts Texas football games?
SEC football broadcasts are distributed across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, SEC Network, and CBS. Specific game assignments are released 6-12 days before kickoff.
When is the Texas vs Ohio State game in 2026?
Texas hosts Ohio State on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin. Kickoff time releases in late August 2026.
Is the Red River Rivalry still played in Dallas?
Yes, Texas and Oklahoma continue the neutral-site tradition at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas. The 2026 game occurs on Saturday, October 10, 2026.
When is the Texas A&M game in 2026?
The Lone Star Showdown between Texas and Texas A&M takes place on Friday, November 27, 2026 (Black Friday) at Kyle Field in College Station.
Will Darrell K Royal Stadium have grass in 2026?
Athletic director Chris Del Conte indicated in March 2025 that the stadium may complete its natural grass conversion before the 2026 season opener, pending construction timeline adherence. Official confirmation releases in summer 2026.
How do I buy Texas football tickets for 2026?
Season tickets renewals by March 15, 2026, through Texas Athletics. Single-game tickets will be released June 1, 2026, for Longhorn Foundation members, July 1 for alumni, and August 1 for the general public.
