Utah and BYU Unveil 2026 Football Schedules: Rivalry Week, Marquee Matchups, and Big 12 Battles on the Horizon
It may be the heart of winter in Salt Lake City, but for Utah and BYU football fans, the release of the 2026 schedules brings a welcome shot of fall anticipation. With both programs now firmly entrenched in the Big 12, the upcoming season promises a mix of tradition, new rivalries, and high-stakes conference showdowns. Let’s break it all down.
Utes Kick Off a New Era Under Morgan Scalley
The 2026 season marks the beginning of a new chapter for Utah football as Morgan Scalley takes over the reins as head coach. And he won’t have to wait long to get his bearings-Utah opens the season with three straight games at Rice-Eccles Stadium, giving Scalley a comfortable runway to start strong.
The opener comes on a Thursday night, Sept. 3, when Idaho rolls into town. It’s a classic tune-up game, but things escalate quickly from there.
Arkansas visits on Sept. 12 in what should be a physical, high-profile non-conference clash, followed by an in-state showdown with Utah State on Sept. 19.
Then comes the grind of Big 12 play. Utah hits the road for the first time on Sept. 26 to face Iowa State, a team known for its gritty defense and hostile home environment. The Utes will return to Salt Lake to host Kansas on Oct. 10, then travel to Colorado on Oct. 17-an old Pac-12 rivalry that now carries Big 12 implications.
The heart of the schedule features a trio of intriguing matchups: Houston at home on Oct. 24, Cincinnati on Oct. 31, and the big one-the Holy War-on Nov. 7, with BYU making the trip north to Salt Lake City. The rivalry is always heated, and with both teams now in the same conference, this one could carry serious postseason weight.
Utah wraps up the regular season with a tough road swing at Arizona (Nov. 14) and TCU (Nov. 21), before closing things out at home against West Virginia on Nov. 28.
Utah 2026 Football Schedule:
- Sept.
3 - Idaho
- Sept.
12 - Arkansas
- Sept.
19 - Utah State
- Sept. 26 - at Iowa State
- Oct. 10 - Kansas
- Oct. 17 - at Colorado
- Oct.
24 - Houston
- Oct.
31 - Cincinnati
- Nov.
7 - BYU
- Nov. 14 - at Arizona
- Nov. 21 - at TCU
- Nov.
28 - West Virginia
BYU’s 2026 Slate Features Familiar Foes and a Marquee Matchup in Provo
Over in Provo, BYU’s 2026 schedule sets up as a balanced mix of winnable games, road tests, and one headline-grabbing home matchup.
The Cougars open with back-to-back home games, starting Sept. 5 against Utah Tech. That should give BYU a chance to get its footing before diving into Big 12 play with a visit from Arizona on Sept. 12.
From there, the road beckons. BYU heads to Colorado State on Sept. 19, then dives into the Big 12 meat grinder with a trip to TCU on Oct.
- The Horned Frogs have been a tough out in recent years, and that early October matchup could set the tone for BYU’s conference campaign.
Iowa State comes to Provo on Oct. 10, but the real spotlight falls on Oct. 17, when Notre Dame visits LaVell Edwards Stadium. This is the kind of game that puts BYU on the national radar. With a program like the Irish coming to town, expect a packed house and playoff-type energy.
The Cougars then hit the road again to face UCF on Oct. 24 before returning home to host Arizona State on Oct. 31.
Then it’s rivalry time-the Holy War-on Nov. 7 in Salt Lake City. That one needs no introduction.
BYU closes out the season with Baylor at home (Nov. 14), followed by road trips to Kansas (Nov. 21) and Cincinnati (Nov. 28). It’s a challenging finish, but one that could shape the Big 12 standings heading into December.
BYU 2026 Football Schedule:
- Sept.
5 - Utah Tech
- Sept.
12 - Arizona
- Sept. 19 - at Colorado State
- Oct. 3 - at TCU
- Oct.
10 - Iowa State
- Oct.
17 - Notre Dame
- Oct. 24 - at UCF
- Oct. 31 - Arizona State
- Nov. 7 - at Utah
- Nov.
14 - Baylor
- Nov. 21 - at Kansas
- Nov. 28 - Cincinnati
Circle the Date: Nov. 7
There’s no question about the centerpiece of the 2026 season for both programs-November 7, when BYU and Utah clash in Salt Lake City. The Holy War has always been about pride, bragging rights, and regional dominance. But now, with Big 12 implications on the line, it’s more than just a rivalry-it’s a potential playoff-shaping showdown.
With both teams building competitive rosters and adjusting to life in the Big 12, this year’s edition could be one of the most meaningful in recent memory.
Whether you're a dyed-in-the-wool Ute or a loyal Cougar, the 2026 season is shaping up to be a wild ride. From high-stakes conference games to marquee non-conference matchups and, of course, the rivalry that defines a state, there's no shortage of drama ahead. Time to start planning those road trips and tailgates-fall can’t come soon enough.