Kansas Football Unveils 2026 Schedule, Featuring London Trip and Familiar Foes
Jayhawks fans, mark your calendars - the 2026 football schedule is officially set, and it's packed with intrigue, rivalry, and a trip across the pond.
The Big 12 dropped its full slate of conference matchups Tuesday morning, and Kansas didn’t waste any time getting creative with the reveal. In a fun twist, the children of KU football chief of staff Michael Painter helped unveil the schedule by solving clues - a fittingly playful start to a season that promises to be anything but lighthearted once the games begin.
Let’s break it down.
Nonconference Slate: A Familiar Face and a Historic First
The Jayhawks open their 2026 campaign at home on Friday, September 4, against Long Island University (LIU), an FCS opponent. It’s a tune-up game, sure, but one that comes with some logistical wrinkles. David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium will be operating at limited capacity due to ongoing construction, which could impact the game-day atmosphere early in the season.
Week 2 brings a matchup that needs no extra hype: Missouri. The Border War returns to Lawrence on September 12, and while this one isn’t a conference game, the stakes always feel bigger when these two meet. Expect a charged crowd and a physical, emotional contest.
Then comes the headline-grabber: Kansas will travel to London to face Arizona State on September 19 in the first-ever Union Jack Classic. It's a bold move for the program and the Big 12, showcasing college football on an international stage. The trip adds a layer of complexity to the early-season stretch - long flights, time zone changes, and a neutral-site environment - but it’s also a massive opportunity for exposure and program growth.
After the London game, KU gets a well-earned bye week on September 26 to recover and reset.
Final Tune-Up, Then Big 12 Gauntlet Begins
The Jayhawks return home on October 3 to wrap up nonconference play against Middle Tennessee State. From there on out, it’s all Big 12, all the time.
Kansas kicks off conference play in earnest with a tough road test at Utah on October 10. The Utes are known for their physicality, especially at home in Salt Lake City, and this one could set the tone for KU’s conference campaign.
Week 6 brings a trip across the state to face Kansas State in the Sunflower Showdown on October 17. Rivalry games are always unpredictable, and this one could carry major implications depending on how both teams start the season.
From there, the Jayhawks return home for back-to-back games against Baylor (October 24) and UCF (November 7), with a Halloween trip to TCU sandwiched in between. That three-game stretch could be pivotal - all three opponents are capable of making noise in the conference, and KU will need to hold serve at home to stay in the hunt.
The final road swing of the season sees Kansas visit West Virginia on November 14 and BYU on November 21 - two tough environments late in the year when depth and durability are tested.
The regular season wraps up on November 28 with a trip to Stillwater to face Oklahoma State. Depending on how things shake out, that game could be a bowl-deciding showdown or even more.
A Chance to Reset After a Frustrating Finish
Kansas is coming off a 5-7 season (3-6 in Big 12 play), one that flirted with bowl eligibility but ultimately came up short after dropping the final three games. Despite receiving a bowl invitation, the program opted to decline - a decision that raised eyebrows but may have been made with long-term goals in mind.
Now, with a fresh slate and a schedule that blends tradition, opportunity, and challenge, the Jayhawks have a chance to reestablish momentum in 2026. The early portion of the schedule gives them a chance to build confidence, but the back half - especially the road-heavy November stretch - will demand resilience and growth.
Here’s the full 2026 Kansas football schedule:
- **Sept. 4 (Fri): vs.
LIU (FCS)** | Lawrence
- **Sept. 12: vs.
Missouri** | Lawrence
- **Sept. 19: vs.
Arizona State** | London (Union Jack Classic)
- **Sept.
26: BYE WEEK**
- **Oct. 3: vs.
Middle Tennessee State** | Lawrence
- Oct. 10: at Utah | Salt Lake City
- Oct. 17: at Kansas State | Manhattan
- **Oct. 24: vs.
Baylor** | Lawrence
- Oct. 31: at TCU | Fort Worth
- Nov. 7: vs. UCF | Lawrence
- Nov. 14: at West Virginia | Morgantown
- Nov. 21: at BYU | Provo
- Nov. 28: at Oklahoma State | Stillwater
Plenty of storylines, plenty of challenges, and plenty of chances for Kansas to take the next step. Let the countdown begin.