Oklahoma’s 2026 season opener is now a Friday night affair.
OU announced Monday that its home game against UTEP has been moved from Saturday, Sept. 5, to Friday, Sept. 4, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. CT at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The game still won’t land on a major TV network; it will stream on SEC Network+.
That change brings the Sooners’ full nonconference schedule into focus. Oklahoma already knew it would travel to Michigan in Week 2 for an 11 a.m.
CT kickoff on Sept. 12 in FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff window, then return home to face New Mexico at 6:30 p.m. CT on Sept.
Athletic director Roger Denny pointed to the timing of the season and the Oklahoma heat as part of the reason for the switch.
"Moving our home opener against UTEP to Friday night presents a unique opportunity to showcase Oklahoma Football," Denny said in a statement. "The game will be streamed digitally, which allows us to be more intentional about selecting a date and kickoff time.
"Historically, early-season games in Oklahoma can present significant heat challenges, and a Friday night kickoff provides a more comfortable environment for our student-athletes, fans and game-day staff. It also allows our fans to enjoy an electric atmosphere in Norman while making the most of the remainder of Labor Day weekend. We're excited to welcome Sooner Nation back to Owen Field for a rare Friday night game under the lights."
The move also gives Oklahoma an extra day before the trip to Ann Arbor, which was a factor in the decision, according to Sooner Scoop’s George Stoia. It may not sound like much, but it does give the Sooners 24 more hours to reset before facing Michigan.
Against UTEP, that extra prep time won’t be about survival. The Miners went 2-10 last season, and the opener should be a chance for Oklahoma to shake off the offseason rust and get younger players on the field. With the new 5-in-5 rule in place, the usual redshirt concerns no longer carry the same weight.
There’s also a tradeoff for fans across the state. A Friday night kickoff means Oklahoma football will collide with high school football, and that’s the part many people immediately bristled at. It also makes it harder for the Sooners to host recruits that night, since most of them will be in games of their own.
Still, there’s time for local high schools to adjust if they choose. When Oklahoma opened on a Friday night in 2024, plenty of area schools moved their games to Thursday.
So instead of waiting until Saturday for the Sooners to start the season, Oklahoma fans now get a rare Friday night under the lights - and, if the rest of the weekend lines up, three straight days of football in the state.
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