Mizzou's Season Opener: A Thursday Night Tradition
In a move that’s becoming a hallmark for Mizzou football, the Tigers are set to kick off their 2026 season under the Thursday night lights. Originally slated for September 5th, the matchup against Arkansas-Pine Bluff will now take place on September 3rd at Memorial Stadium, with a 7 p.m. CT kickoff broadcasted nationally on the SEC Network.
This game marks the first-ever meeting between these two programs and continues Mizzou's streak of opening in primetime slots for the fifth consecutive year. It’s also the ninth weeknight home game since 2015, highlighting the Tigers' growing presence in the national spotlight.
The opener will unveil the newly renovated north end zone concourse, a key feature of the $250 million Memorial Stadium Centennial Project. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz expressed excitement about this development, noting, "Opening the season on a Thursday night in CoMo is becoming a great tradition for our program.
We appreciate Arkansas-Pine Bluff and the SEC for working with us on the adjustment so our season opener can be broadcast nationally. There's nothing like a renovated and full Memorial Stadium to kick off a season, and we're excited to carry our program-record sellout streak into 2026."
Mizzou fans have plenty to cheer about. The Tigers boast a formidable 19-3 record at Faurot Field over the last three seasons, and they’re riding a 20-game home sellout streak into this opener.
With a 29-10 record over the past three years, this period marks the second-best stretch in the program's history. Key victories include triumphs over Ohio State in the 2023 Cotton Bowl and Iowa in the 2024 Music City Bowl.
The Tigers have also shown grit in close contests, with an 11-4 record in one-score games.
Looking ahead, Mizzou's home schedule is packed with exciting matchups. The Tigers will host Troy on September 19, Florida on October 3, Texas A&M on October 10, Texas on November 7, Kentucky on November 21, and Oklahoma on November 28. Each game promises to be a thrilling chapter in what’s shaping up to be another memorable season for Mizzou football.