The Big 12 just dropped its 2026 football schedule, and for Arizona State, this isn’t just another season-it’s a landmark campaign. Not only are the Sun Devils embarking on their first full run through the restructured Big 12, but they’re also packing their passports for a trip across the Atlantic. That’s right-ASU is headed to London to take on Kansas in what promises to be one of the most unique matchups in program history.
Here’s a closer look at the full 2026 slate for ASU:
ASU 2026 Football Schedule:
- 9/5 - vs. Morgan State
- 9/12 - at Texas A&M
- 9/19 - vs.
Kansas (London)
- 9/26 - BYE
- 10/3 - vs. Baylor
- 10/10 - vs. Hawaii
- 10/17 - at Texas Tech
- 10/24 - vs.
Kansas State
- 10/31 - at BYU
- 11/7 - vs. Colorado
- 11/14 - at UCF
- 11/21 - vs.
Oklahoma State
- 11/28 - at Arizona
Early-Season Mileage: A Global Start
The Sun Devils will be racking up frequent flyer miles early-and fast. After opening at home against Morgan State, they head to College Station for a Week 2 clash with Texas A&M.
That’s a tough enough road test on its own. But then comes the main event: a trip to London to face Kansas in Week 3.
The logistics are still being finalized, but there’s been talk of ASU heading directly from Texas to the UK to get acclimated. It’s a smart move if it happens-minimizing travel fatigue and maximizing prep time for a game that’s already historic in scope.
After the London trip, ASU gets a well-timed bye week. That’s a crucial breather.
Not only will the team need time to recover physically from the long trip, but they’ll also need to mentally reset before diving into the grind of conference play. From there, they won’t leave the state of Arizona for nearly a month, with home games against Baylor and Hawaii giving them a bit of a cushion before things get real.
Midseason Gauntlet: No Room to Breathe
Circle the middle third of the schedule-because that’s where things get dicey. Starting October 17, ASU hits the road for a showdown at Texas Tech, returns home to host a Kansas State team that’s looking to bounce back, and then travels to Provo to face BYU. That’s three straight games against physical, well-coached teams, two of them in hostile environments.
Last season, ASU went 2-2 in a similar midseason stretch, but they were banged up-losing key contributors like Jordyn Tyson, Sam Leavitt, and Ben Coleman during that run. The question this year: can the Sun Devils stay healthy and find a way to grind out wins during what might be the toughest portion of their schedule?
Kansas State, while down last year, brings back quarterback Avery Johnson and has program legend Collin Klein calling the shots. That’s a combo with real upside, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Wildcats reassert themselves in the Big 12 race.
Quarterback Gauntlet: Facing the Best of the Big 12
If you're a fan of quarterback play, this ASU schedule is loaded. The Sun Devils are set to face some of the top signal-callers in the conference-and not just the returning stars.
In fact, ASU is slated to go up against three of the top four rated transfer quarterbacks in the Big 12: Brendan Sorsby (Texas Tech), Drew Mestemaker (Oklahoma State), and DJ Lagway (Baylor). That’s a trio with serious arm talent and upside.
Add in First Team All-Big 12 selection Noah Fifita, the electric Avery Johnson, and high-ceiling young guns like Bear Bachmeier and Juju Lewis, and ASU’s defense will be tested week in and week out. Defensive coordinator Brian Ward and his staff will have their hands full devising game plans to slow down this gauntlet of quarterbacks.
Rivalry Finale: The Duel in the Desert
The season wraps up with a trip to Tucson for the annual rivalry clash with Arizona. No matter the records, this one always carries weight.
And with both programs now entrenched in the Big 12, the stakes are even higher. It’s not just about bragging rights anymore-it could very well have postseason implications.
The Bottom Line
From international travel to a midseason meat grinder to a quarterback-heavy conference slate, ASU’s 2026 schedule is full of challenges-and opportunities. There’s no easing into this new era of Big 12 football. But if the Sun Devils can stay healthy, find consistency, and hold their own against some of the league’s top quarterbacks, they’ve got a real shot to make noise.
Buckle up-this one’s going to be a wild ride.