SEC FOOTBALL SCHEDULE 2026: Bama, Auburn learn schedule times for upcoming season
Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama Crimson Tide will open the 2026 season with three consecutive day games with all three to be shown on ABC. (Unv. Alabama Athletics)
By GRAHAM DUNN
Alabama will play four of its first five games during the daylight hours in the 2026 football season.
Auburn will have a few evening games early but then could play several afternoon games in the coming season.
The Southeastern Conference announced the remaining schedule beginning the week of Sept. 26 on Wednesday.
Previously, the league had announced starting times for all games on the first three weekends of the schedule as well as games on Thanksgiving and the SEC Championship game.
Following the script it began last season, the SEC will have four different windows separating start times of games in the morning, afternoon and evening. Those designated as an “Early” game will start between 11 a.m. and Noon Central time. The “Afternoon” slot will start at either 2:30 or 3:30 p.m. “Night” games will have either a 5 p.m. or 7 p.m. kickoff while “Flex” games can start anywhere between 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Alabama had already received kickoff timess of 11 a.m. for the season opener against East Carolina, a 2:30 p.m. start for both Kentucky at Lexington and a home date against Florida State. The Crimson Tide received “Flex” times for a total of four games and “Early” designation for two games. Two more games received “Night” designations including the game against Georgia, which is expected to be the primetime game on ABC.
After the opener at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta against Baylor, Auburn will play two night games followed by an afternoon game against Vanderbilt. Auburn will also play LSU in an early game against LSU (11 a.m.) and at least five other games designated for afternoon slots. That includes a non-conference game against Samford at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 21.
The schedule was also set up with a few more times for key conference games. Texas and Tennessee will open Week 4 (Sept. 26) at 11 a.m. (CT) on either ABC or ESPN. The “Red River Rivalry” with Texas facing Oklahoma will have a 2:30 p.m. kickoff on ABC or ESPN on Oct. 10. The annual Florida-Georgia battle will have a 2:30 p.m. kickoff on Halloween on ABC.
Note: “EARLY” games will start between 11 a.m.-12 p.m.; Afternoon games - 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.; Night games - 5 p.m.-7 p.m. “Flex” games - 2:30 p.m - 3:30 p.m. or 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
ALABAMA 2026 SCHEDULE
SEPT. 5 11 a.m. East Carolina (ABC)
SEPT 12 2:30 p.m. at Kentucky (ABC)
SEPT 19 2:30 p.m. Florida State (ABC)
SEPT 26 (TBA - NIGHT) South Carolina (TBA)
OCT 3 (TBA - EARLY) at Miss St (TBA)
OCT 10 (TBA - NIGHT) Georgia (TBA)
OCT 17 (TBA - FLEX) at Tennessee (TBA)
OCT 24 (TBA - FLEX) Texas A&M (TBA)
OCT 31 OPEN
NOV 7 (TBA - FLEX) at LSU (TBA)
NOV 14 (TBA - EARLY) at Vanderbilt (TBA)
NOV 21 (1 p.m.) Chattanooga (SEC NETWORK +)
NOV. 28 (TBA - FLEX) Auburn (TBA)
AUBURN 2026 SCHEDULE
SEPT. 5 2:30 p.m. Aflac Kickoff Game: Baylor, Atlanta (ABC)
SEPT 12 6:30/6:45 p.m. Southern Miss (ESPNU/SEC Network)
SEPT 19 6 p.m. Florida (ESPN)
SEPT 26 (TBA - AFTERNOON) Vanderbilt (TBA)
OCT 3 (TBA - FLEX) at Tennessee (TBA)
OCT 10 OPEN
OCT 17 (TBA - AFTERNOON) at Georgia (TBA)
OCT 24 (11 a.m.) LSU (ABC/ESPN)
OCT 31 (TBA - EARLY) at Ole Miss (TBA)
NOV 7 (TBA - EARLY) Arkansas (TBA)
NOV 14 (TBA - EARLY) at Miss St (TBA)
NOV 21 (2:30 p.m.) Samford (SEC NETWORK+)
NOV. 28 (TBA - FLEX) at Alabama (TBA)
Other SEC Schedules are available at secsports.com