Alabama Crimson Tide 2026 Football Schedule: Key Matchups and Dates
The Alabama Crimson Tide will open their 2026 college football season on September 5, 2026, at home in Tuscaloosa against East Carolina, according to the official schedule released by Alabama Athletics. The team faces a challenging slate of games, including SEC road trips to Kentucky, Mississippi State, Tennessee, LSU, and Vanderbilt, alongside high-profile home games against Florida State, South Carolina, Georgia, Texas A&M, Chattanooga, and the annual Iron Bowl against Auburn.
When Does the Alabama Crimson Tide Season Begin?
Alabama kicks off its 2026 campaign on Saturday, September 5, at 11 a.m. CT against East Carolina at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. This non-conference matchup will be broadcast on ABC, as confirmed by the Alabama Athletics official schedule.
Key Highlights of the 2026 SEC Schedule
The Crimson Tide’s conference schedule involves significant tests both at home and on the road. Following the season opener, Alabama travels to Lexington to face Kentucky on September 12 at 2:30 p.m. CT. The team then returns to Tuscaloosa for a two-game homestand against Florida State on September 19 and South Carolina on September 26.
Other notable dates on the 2026 calendar include:
* October 10: Home game against Georgia.
* October 17: Away game at Tennessee.
* October 24: Home game against Texas A&M.
* November 7: Away game at LSU.
* November 28: The annual Iron Bowl against Auburn in Tuscaloosa.
Where to Watch Alabama Football Games
Fans can catch the Crimson Tide across various platforms. The games against East Carolina, Kentucky, and Florida State are currently slated for broadcast on ABC. For subsequent games, Alabama Athletics provides a Game Center feature on their official website, which offers up-to-date information on kick-off times and television listings as they are finalized throughout the season.
2026 Alabama Football Schedule Overview
| Date | Opponent | Location |
| :— | :— | :— |
| Sept 5 | East Carolina | Tuscaloosa, Ala. |
| Sept 12 | Kentucky | Lexington, Ky. |
| Sept 19 | Florida State | Tuscaloosa, Ala. |
| Sept 26 | South Carolina | Tuscaloosa, Ala. |
| Oct 3 | Mississippi State | Starkville, Miss. |
| Oct 10 | Georgia | Tuscaloosa, Ala. |
| Oct 17 | Tennessee | Knoxville, Tenn. |
| Oct 24 | Texas A&M | Tuscaloosa, Ala. |
| Nov 7 | LSU | Baton Rouge, La. |
| Nov 14 | Vanderbilt | Nashville, Tenn. |
| Nov 21 | Chattanooga | Tuscaloosa, Ala. |
| Nov 28 | Auburn | Tuscaloosa, Ala. |
As the season progresses, the Crimson Tide will look to navigate this schedule to position themselves for postseason contention. All game times for contests following the Florida State matchup remain subject to future scheduling announcements by the SEC and its broadcast partners.