ORLANDO – UCF football, the Big 12 Conference and its TV partners have announced game times and networks for the first three weeks of the 2026 college football season, along with additional weeknight games.
Five of the Knights’ 2026 contests, including four at home, had kickoff times and networks announced in Wednesday afternoon’s release.
The 10th edition of the Space Game will air on ESPN as the Knights, better known as the Citronauts for the annual mission, host Baylor on Friday, Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m. The 2023 Space Game also aired ESPN as the nation witnessed UCF’s remarkable 45-3 victory over No. 15 Oklahoma State. It will mark the fourth ESPN appearance of the Knights’ Big 12 era and the first since Oct. 26, 2024.
The home slate wraps up on Friday, Nov. 20 with a 6 p.m. kickoff against Iowa State on FS1 for Senior Knight. It will be the Cyclones’ first visit to Acrisure Bounce House. Iowa State has been to Orlando once before, earning a 42-41 victory over then-No. 15 Miami in the 2024 Pop-Tarts Bowl.
UCF’s non-conference road game at Pittsburgh on Saturday, Sept. 12 will air nationally on ESPN2 at 3:30 p.m. from Acrisure Stadium, which doubles as the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers. It will mark the first time since 2023 the Black and Gold suit up inside an NFL stadium.
The Knights’ two non-conference home games against Bethune-Cookman on Thursday, Sept. 3 and Georgia State on Saturday, Sept. 19 will both kick off at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
2026 Schedule (games with announced times/networks listed in bold italic)
Thursday, Sept. 3 - Home vs. Bethune-Cookman – 7 p.m. on ESPN+
Saturday, Sept. 12 - Away at Pittsburgh – 3:30 p.m. on ESPN2
Saturday, Sept. 19 - Home vs. Georgia State – 7 p.m. on ESPN+
Saturday, Sept. 26 - Home vs. TCU
Saturday, Oct. 3 - Away at Houston
Saturday, Oct. 10 - Away at Oklahoma State
Saturday, Oct. 24 - Home vs. BYU
Friday, Oct. 30 - Home vs. Baylor – 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
Saturday, Nov. 7 - Away at Kansas
Saturday, Nov. 14 - Home vs. Arizona State
Friday, Nov. 20 - Home vs. Iowa State – 6 p.m. on FS1
Saturday, Nov. 28 - Away at Colorado
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2026 campaign are on sale and can be purchased here! Be sure to be a part of all the action as the Knights play their 20th season in Acrisure Bounce House.
ABOUT UCF ATHLETICS
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.