UCLA Announces Start Times, Channels for First 3 Football Games

The UCLA Bruins football team is gearing up for new head coach Bob Chesney’s first season, and the school on Wednesday detailed the start times of the first three games and how fans can watch.

Here’s where and when to watch the Bruins’ first three games:

• Sept. 5: UCLA at Cal, 7:30 p.m. PT on ESPN
• Sept. 12: San Diego State at UCLA, 4:15 p.m. PT on Big Ten Network
• Sept. 19: Purdue at UCLA, 8 p.m. PT on Big Ten Network

UCLA football, together with the Big Ten Conference and its television partners, announced start times and network designations for its first three games of the 2026 season on Wednesday.

The Bruins’ season-opener at California on Sept. 5 kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PT on ESPN. UCLA’s home opener on Sept. 12 against San Diego State at the Rose Bowl is slated for a 4:15 p.m. PT start on Big Ten Network. The Bruins’ Sept. 19 home contest and Big Ten opener against Purdue will begin at 8 p.m. PT on Big Ten Network.

UCLA’s remaining kickoff times and television designations will be announced at a later date.

Season tickets for the first year of the Bob Chesney Era are now available to purchase. Fans can click HERE or contact UCLA Athletics Sales and Service at (310) 206-5991 or via email at tickets@athletics.ucla.edu for more information.

This year’s matchup with California marks the 95th meeting all-time between the in-state rivals, and first since 2023. UCLA owns a 58-35-1 record in the all-time series and will be making its first trip to Berkeley since 2022.

UCLA and SDSU will meeting for the eight time this century and 25th time overall. The Bruins are hosting the Aztecs for the first time since 2019.

The 2026 season marks the first the first time that UCLA and Purdue will meet as conference-mates. The Bruins have faced Purdue five times, all between 1950-80, accruing a 3-0-2 record. The Boilermakers last appeared in Pasadena for the 2001 Rose Bowl, and last visited the Bruins during the 1979 campaign.

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What’s UCLA’s 2026 football schedule?

2026 UCLA Football Schedule

(All-Caps = Home Game, * = Big Ten Conference Game)

Sept. 5 – at California

Sept. 12 – SAN DIEGO STATE

Sept. 19 – PURDUE*

Sept. 26 – at Maryland*

BYE

Oct. 10 – at Oregon*

Oct. 17 – WISCONSIN*

Oct. 24 – MICHIGAN STATE*

Oct. 31 – NEVADA

Nov. 7 – at Minnesota*

Nov. 14 – ILLINOIS*

Nov. 21 – at Michigan*

Nov. 28 – USC*

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