The University of Florida Gators football schedule for 2026 includes 12 regular-season games: 6 home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, 5 away games, and 1 neutral-site matchup against Georgia in Atlanta on Friday, October 31, 2026.
The 2026 season marks Jon Sumrall’s debut as head coach and represents the first year of the Southeastern Conference’s expanded 9-game conference format.
Table of Contents
Complete 2026 Florida Gators Football Schedule
| First-ever regular-season SEC meeting | Opponent | Location | Game Type | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, September 5, 2026 | Florida Atlantic | Gainesville, FL | Non-Conference | Season opener, Jon Sumrall debut |
| Saturday, September 12, 2026 | Campbell | Gainesville, FL | Non-Conference | First-ever meeting between programs |
| Saturday, September 19, 2026 | at Auburn | Auburn, AL | SEC | First visit to Jordan-Hare Stadium since 2011 |
| Saturday, September 26, 2026 | Ole Miss | Gainesville, FL | SEC | Conference home opener |
| Saturday, October 3, 2026 | at Missouri | Columbia, MO | SEC | Early conference road test |
| Saturday, October 10, 2026 | South Carolina | Gainesville, FL | SEC | Homecoming 2026 |
| Saturday, October 17, 2026 | at Texas | Austin, TX | SEC | First SEC conference game in Austin |
| Friday, October 31, 2026 | vs. Georgia | Atlanta, GA | SEC | Neutral site at Mercedes-Benz Stadium |
| Saturday, November 7, 2026 | Oklahoma | Gainesville, FL | SEC | First-ever regular season SEC meeting |
| Saturday, November 14, 2026 | at Kentucky | Lexington, KY | SEC | Permanent annual opponent |
| Saturday, November 21, 2026 | Vanderbilt | Gainesville, FL | First-ever regular-season SEC meeting | Senior Day |
| Friday, November 27, 2026 | at Florida State | Tallahassee, FL | Non-Conference | Black Friday rivalry game |
The UF football schedule features a bye week on Saturday, October 24, 2026, positioned strategically before the Georgia game.
Jon Sumrall’s First Season as Florida Head Coach
Jon Sumrall takes over the Florida Gators program after the dismissal of Billy Napier, who finished with a 22-23 record across four seasons and concluded the 2025 campaign at 4-8. Sumrall arrives from Tulane University, where he coached in 2024, and previously led Troy University to a 23-4 record from 2022-2023.
The coaching transition occurred on Sunday, November 30, 2025, following Florida’s 40-21 victory over Florida State in the 2025 regular season finale. Athletic Director Scott Stricklin hired Sumrall to rebuild a program that finished 2-6 in SEC play during the 2025 season.
Sumrall’s Coaching Staff Structure
Buster Faulkner joins as offensive coordinator while Brad White assumes defensive coordinator responsibilities. The new coaching staff inherits a roster that underwent significant transformation through the transfer portal, with 30 incoming transfers joining the program for 2026.
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Home Games in 2026
The Florida Gators play 6 home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during the 2026 season. The venue, known as “The Swamp,” seats 88,548 fans and represents the largest stadium capacity in Florida.
2026 Home Schedule at The Swamp
- Saturday, September 5, 2026: Florida Atlantic Owls
- Saturday, September 12, 2026: Campbell Fighting Camels
- Saturday, September 26, 2026: Ole Miss Rebels
- Saturday, October 10, 2026: South Carolina Gamecocks (Homecoming)
- Saturday, November 7, 2026: Oklahoma Sooners
- Saturday, November 21, 2026: Vanderbilt Commodores (Senior Day)
The 2026 season serves as the final year before Ben Hill Griffin Stadium undergoes a $400 million renovation project scheduled to begin in April 2027. Stadium capacity will temporarily decrease during construction phases that extend through multiple seasons.
SEC Conference Schedule Changes for 2026
The Southeastern Conference implements a 9-game conference schedule format beginning in 2026, replacing the previous 8-game structure. Florida plays 9 SEC opponents and 3 non-conference opponents under the new system.
Florida’s Permanent SEC Opponents Through 2029
| Permanent Opponent | 2026 Location | Series Record | Last Meeting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Bulldogs | Atlanta, GA (Neutral) | Georgia leads 55-44-2 | 2025 |
| South Carolina Gamecocks | Gainesville, FL | Florida leads series | 2025 |
| Kentucky Wildcats | Lexington, KY | Florida leads series | 2025 |
The permanent opponent model ensures Florida faces Georgia, South Carolina, and Kentucky annually through 2029. Tennessee does not appear on the 2026 schedule, marking the first time since 1989 that Florida and Tennessee do not play during a regular season.
Florida vs Georgia in Atlanta: Historic Venue Change
The Florida-Georgia game relocates to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, for Saturday, October 31, 2026. This represents the first time since 1915 that the rivalry game occurs outside Jacksonville, Florida.
Why the Venue Changed from Jacksonville
EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville undergoes extensive renovations during the 2026 season, forcing the relocation of the annual rivalry game. The game returns to Jacksonville in select future years but moves to Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium for 2027.
The rivalry game traditionally occurs on a neutral site in Jacksonville, where it earned the nickname “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.” Mercedes-Benz Stadium seats 71,000 fans for football configurations, compared to EverBank Stadium’s 67,814 capacity.
First-Time Matchups and Historic Returns
Oklahoma’s First SEC Visit to Gainesville
The Saturday, November 7, 2026, game against Oklahoma marks the first regular-season conference meeting between the programs since Oklahoma joined the SEC in 2024. Florida has never hosted Oklahoma at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in a conference game prior to 2026.
Campbell Fighting Camels: Inaugural Meeting
Florida faces Campbell University for the first time in program history on Saturday, September 12, 2026. Campbell competes in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as a member of the Coastal Athletic Association.
Return to Auburn After 15-Year Gap
The Saturday, September 19, 2026, road game at Auburn represents Florida’s first visit to Jordan-Hare Stadium since 2011. SEC scheduling rotation previously limited matchups between the two programs despite both competing in the conference.
Florida State Rivalry Moves to Black Friday
The annual rivalry game against Florida State shifts to Friday, November 27, 2026, marking a departure from the traditional Saturday Thanksgiving weekend slot. The game takes place at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee.
Florida State leads the all-time series 38-28-2 entering the 2026 matchup. The rivalry game, known as the “Sunshine Showdown,” serves as the regular season finale for both programs and significantly impacts bowl game positioning and in-state recruiting momentum.
2026 UF Football Schedule: Road Game Challenges
Florida plays 5 true road games during the 2026 season, visiting SEC venues across the conference’s expanded geographic footprint.
Away Game Travel Analysis
| Date | Opponent | Stadium | Distance from Gainesville |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 19, 2026 | Auburn | Jordan-Hare Stadium | 398 miles |
| October 3, 2026 | Missouri | Faurot Field | 970 miles |
| October 17, 2026 | Texas | Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium | 1,072 miles |
| November 14, 2026 | Kentucky | Kroger Field | 435 miles |
| November 27, 2026 | Florida State | Doak Campbell Stadium | 163 miles |
The October road stretch includes consecutive away games at Missouri and Texas, requiring extensive travel through the central United States. The Texas game represents Florida’s first SEC conference road game in Austin, Texas.
Strength of Schedule Analysis for 2026
The combined 2025 record of Florida’s 2026 opponents stands at 84-60 based on preliminary calculations. This ranking will fluctuate as programs hire new coaching staff and add transfer portal players throughout the offseason.
Notable Opponent Achievements
- Georgia: Perennial College Football Playoff contender, winner of back-to-back national championships (2021-2022)
- Texas: SEC newcomer in 2024, reached the College Football Playoff in the 2024 season
- Oklahoma: Historic program joining the SEC in 2024, multiple national championships in program history
- Ole Miss: Ranked opponent in multiple recent seasons under Lane Kiffin
- Auburn: Traditional SEC West power with recent coaching changes
How to Watch UF Football Games in 2026
Florida football games are broadcast across multiple television networks under the current SEC media rights agreements. Specific kickoff times and network assignments are typically released 12-14 days before each game date.
Primary Broadcast Partners
ESPN Networks: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and SEC Network hold primary broadcast rights for SEC football games. Games appear on ABC for select marquee matchups.
Streaming Options: ESPN+ streams select games not broadcast on traditional television networks. SEC Network+ provides additional digital streaming for specific conference matchups.
Network assignments depend on game importance, opponent quality, and competitive balance across the weekly schedule. Prime time games (7:00 PM Eastern or later) typically receive ESPN or ABC coverage, while afternoon games appear on SEC Network or ESPN2.
Florida Football Tickets for 2026 Season
Season ticket pricing for Ben Hill Griffin Stadium varies by seating location and donation level required for specific seat assignments. Single-game ticket pricing typically releases in summer 2026, approximately 60-90 days before the season opener.
Premium Game Pricing Expectations
High-demand games against Georgia, Oklahoma, and Florida State command premium pricing tiers compared to non-conference matchups against Florida Atlantic and Campbell. The neutral-site Georgia game in Atlanta requires a separate ticket purchase through Georgia’s ticket allocation or secondary market platforms.
Student tickets operate through a lottery system for Florida students with valid Gator 1 identification cards. Students submit lottery entries during designated windows, with ticket distribution based on class year priority and credit hour accumulation.
Parking and Gameday Information at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Campus parking lots open 4-6 hours before scheduled kickoff times for home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Reserved parking passes require annual purchase through the Florida Gators athletic department, while general parking operates on a first-come, first-served basis in designated commuter lots.
Gator Walk Tradition
The Gator Walk occurs approximately 2 hours before kickoff as the team walks from the adjacent football facility to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Fans line the designated walkway to greet players and coaches entering the venue.
Popular tailgating locations include The Plaza area adjacent to the stadium, O’Connell Center parking lots, and designated grass areas throughout campus. Tailgating regulations prohibit open flames, require all setups to clear designated walkways, and mandate cleanup of all materials within 2 hours following game conclusion.
2025 Season Performance Context
Florida finished the 2025 season with a 4-8 overall record (2-6 SEC), leading to Billy Napier’s dismissal. The team scored 259 total points while allowing 288 points across 12 games.
Key 2025 Statistical Performance
| Category | Florida | Opponents |
|---|---|---|
| Total Offense | 341.3 yards/game | 376.8 yards/game |
| Rushing Offense | 136.8 yards/game | 153.9 yards/game |
| Passing Offense | 204.6 yards/game | 222.9 yards/game |
| Points Per Game | 21.6 | 24.0 |
| Third Down Conversion | 34.2% | 44.4% |
| Sacks Recorded | 26 | 20 |
Running back Jadan Baugh led the team with 1,170 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns across 12 games. Quarterback DJ Lagway completed 213 of 337 passes for 2,264 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.
The 2025 season concluded with a 40-21 victory over Florida State on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Baugh rushed for 266 yards in the season finale, setting a single-game program record against the Seminoles.
Transfer Portal Impact on 2026 Roster
Florida added 30 transfer portal players during the offseason following Sumrall’s hiring. The roster transformation addresses depth concerns across multiple position groups after significant departures from the 2025 roster.
Aaron Philo, a quarterback transfer, joins the program to compete for the starting position. The quarterback room underwent substantial changes after DJ Lagway’s departure through the transfer portal.
Defensive additions focus on linebacker and secondary positions, where Florida allowed 44.4% third-down conversion rates during the 2025 season. The influx of experienced transfers aims to improve defensive efficiency against SEC offensive schemes.
Bowl Eligibility Requirements for 2026
Florida must achieve 6 wins during the 2026 regular season to qualify for bowl game eligibility. The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) tie-in bowl games, including the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville and other regional matchups, typically select SEC programs based on conference finish and geographic proximity.
The 12-game schedule provides opportunities to reach bowl eligibility through victories in non-conference games (Florida Atlantic, Campbell, Florida State) combined with 3 conference wins. Historical bowl destinations for 6-6 or 7-5 Florida teams include the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa, the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, and the Music City Bowl in Nashville.
UF Homecoming 2026: South Carolina Game Details
The University of Florida designates Saturday, October 10, 2026, as Homecoming, featuring the SEC matchup against South Carolina at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Homecoming week includes campus events, alumni gatherings, and traditional festivities leading to the weekend football game.
South Carolina competes as a permanent annual opponent for Florida under the SEC’s scheduling model through 2029. The Gamecocks visit Gainesville in 2026, with the return game in Columbia, South Carolina, occurring during future scheduling rotations.
Senior Day 2026: Vanderbilt Matchup
Saturday, November 21, 2026, serves as Senior Day at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium when Florida hosts Vanderbilt in the final home game of the regular season. The ceremony honors graduating players and fifth-year seniors completing their final home appearance.
Vanderbilt returns to Gainesville after Florida’s 2025 season schedule did not include the Commodores. The programs compete in the same conference division under the SEC organizational structure.
Frequently Asked Questions About the UF Football Schedule 2026
When does the 2026 Florida Gators football season start?
The 2026 season begins on Saturday, September 5, 2026, with a home game against Florida Atlantic at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville.
How many home games does Florida play in 2026?
Florida plays 6 home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during the 2026 regular season.
Where is the Florida vs Georgia game in 2026?
The Florida-Georgia game takes place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Friday, October 31, 2026, due to EverBank Stadium renovations in Jacksonville.
Who is Florida’s head coach for the 2026 season?
Jon Sumrall serves as head coach for the 2026 season, his first year leading the program after replacing Billy Napier.
Does Florida play Tennessee in 2026?
No, Florida does not play Tennessee during the 2026 regular season, marking the first time since 1989 the programs have not met.
What time do Florida games start in 2026?
Game times are released approximately 12-14 days before each scheduled date. SEC games typically kick off at 12:00 PM Eastern, 3:30 PM Eastern, or 7:00 PM Eastern based on television network selections.
How much are Florida football tickets for 2026?
Single-game ticket prices vary by opponent and seating location. Premium games against opponents like Georgia, Oklahoma, and Florida State command higher prices than non-conference matchups. Specific pricing releases in summer 2026.
Is the 2026 Florida schedule difficult?
The schedule includes challenging road games at Auburn, Missouri, Texas, and Kentucky, plus a neutral site matchup against Georgia. Combined opponent records and strength of schedule rankings will finalize after teams complete spring practice and roster construction.
What channel shows Florida football games?
ESPN, ESPN2, SEC Network, and ABC broadcast Florida football games under the current SEC media rights agreements. Specific network assignments for each game release will be closer to game dates.
When is the Florida vs Florida State game in 2026?
Florida plays at Florida State on Friday, November 27, 2026 (Black Friday) at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee.
