Tennessee Reveals Game Times for 2026 Football Season

Tennessee football is set to host quarterback Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns at Neyland Stadium for their first SEC matchup of the 2026 season, kicking off at noon on September 26. In addition, five games for the Volunteers will fall into flexible television slots, scheduled for either the afternoon window of 3:30-4:30 p.m. ET or the evening slot from 6-8 p.m. ET. These matchups include contests against Auburn on October 3, at Arkansas on October 10, Alabama on October 17, at Texas A&M on November 14, and LSU on November 21.

Moreover, Tennessee’s game against South Carolina is slated to begin in the 3:30-4:30 p.m. ET window on October 24. The Volunteers will also face Kentucky at home on November 7 during the evening slot and conclude the regular season with a game at Vanderbilt on November 28, also in the evening window.

On June 10, the SEC confirmed the kickoff time windows for its games, which include four designated periods: early (noon-1 p.m. ET), afternoon (3:30-4:30 p.m. ET), night (6-8 p.m. ET), and flex (either 3:30-4:30 p.m. ET or 6-8 p.m. ET, with final times to be determined later).

The times for Tennessee's three nonconference games have been previously established. The Volunteers will face Furman at 3:30 p.m. ET on September 5, with coverage on ESPN+ and SEC Network+. The following week, they will travel to Georgia Tech for a 7 p.m. game on September 12, broadcast on ESPN, and will host Kennesaw State at Neyland Stadium at 7:45 p.m. on September 19, with the game airing on SEC Network. This matchup is also designated as the Salute to Service game, honoring military personnel and their families.

Here’s a look at the complete Tennessee football schedule for the 2026 season:

• Sept. 5: Furman (3:30 p.m. ET/ESPN+, SEC Network+)
• Sept. 12: At Georgia Tech (7 p.m. ET/ESPN)
• Sept. 19: Kennesaw State (7:45 p.m. ET/SEC Network)
• Sept. 26: Texas* (noon ET/ABC or ESPN)
• Oct. 3: Auburn* (TBA)
• Oct. 10: At Arkansas* (TBA)
• Oct. 17: Alabama* (TBA)
• Oct. 24: At South Carolina* (3:30-4:30 p.m. ET/TBA)
• Oct. 31: Open
• Nov. 7: Kentucky* (6-8 p.m. ET/TBA)
• Nov. 14: At Texas A&M* (TBA)
• Nov. 21: LSU* (TBA)
• Nov. 28: At Vanderbilt* (6-8 p.m. ET/TBA)

*SEC game