KU Football TV Times Updated-what Changed This Week
KU football schedule and TV times
The KU football schedule for 2026 is set, but most TV times have not yet been announced. Kansas opens at home on Friday, Sept. 4 against Long Island, plays Missouri on Saturday, Sept. 12, meets Arizona State in London on Saturday, Sept. 19, and closes the regular season at Oklahoma State on Friday, Nov. 28, with Big 12 Championship play listed for Friday, Dec. 4 if the Jayhawks qualify.
For fans trying to bookmark the season, the most useful takeaway is that the game dates are already known while kickoff times and television assignments will be released later in stages, which is typical for Big 12 scheduling. The first confirmed time listed by KU Athletics is the season opener, which is a Friday night kickoff at 7 p.m. CT against Long Island.
Full 2026 slate
Kansas' 2026 schedule features 12 regular-season games, six of them at home, plus a conference championship date that could extend the year. The season includes a marquee nonconference game against Missouri and a rare international showcase in London against Arizona State.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time / TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri., Sept. 4 | Long Island | Lawrence | 7 p.m. CT, TV TBA |
| Sat., Sept. 12 | Missouri | Lawrence | TV TBA |
| Sat., Sept. 19 | Arizona State | London | TV TBA |
| Sat., Oct. 3 | Middle Tennessee State | Lawrence | TV TBA |
| Sat., Oct. 10 | at Utah | Salt Lake City | TV TBA |
| Sat., Oct. 17 | at Kansas State | Manhattan | TV TBA |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | Baylor | Lawrence | TV TBA |
| Sat., Oct. 31 | at TCU | Fort Worth | TV TBA |
| Sat., Nov. 7 | UCF | Lawrence | TV TBA |
| Sat., Nov. 14 | at West Virginia | Morgantown | TV TBA |
| Sat., Nov. 21 | BYU | Lawrence | TV TBA |
| Fri., Nov. 28 | at Oklahoma State | Stillwater | TV TBA |
| Fri., Dec. 4 | Big 12 Championship | Arlington, Texas | TBA if qualified |
What is known now
The clearest confirmed television detail is that the opener against Long Island will stream on ESPN+ and start at 7 p.m. CT. That makes it the first must-bookmark entry for viewers planning around Kansas football this fall.
The rest of the early-season TV picture has not been fully locked in yet, but the Big 12 has already released the complete game order, which means the remaining kickoff times will likely be staggered across conference TV windows as the season approaches. Kansas fans should expect a mix of streaming and linear broadcasts once assignments are finalized.
"The season begins on Friday, Sept. 4, against Long Island," KU Athletics said in announcing the schedule, underscoring how much of the calendar is already in place even before the full broadcast map is finished.
Games to circle
The Border War against Missouri stands out as the headline home date because it blends rivalry value with national interest and likely stronger TV placement once windows are announced. The London game against Arizona State is another attention-grabber, since it gives Kansas a showcase slot far beyond its usual Midwest footprint.
- Friday, Sept. 4 vs. Long Island, 7 p.m. CT, ESPN+.
- Saturday, Sept. 12 vs. Missouri, TV and time TBA.
- Saturday, Sept. 19 vs. Arizona State in London, TV and time TBA.
- Saturday, Oct. 17 at Kansas State, one of the biggest rivalry games on the slate.
- Friday, Nov. 28 at Oklahoma State, a late-season road finale that could shape bowl and title positioning.
How Kansas fits the Big 12
Kansas enters 2026 with a schedule that is balanced but demanding, especially with road trips to Utah, Kansas State, TCU, West Virginia, and Oklahoma State. The Jayhawks also get a bye in late September, which could matter for health and preparation ahead of the core conference stretch.
That structure matters because TV times in the Big 12 are often influenced by opponent strength, rivalry value, and national inventory later in the year. In practical terms, Kansas' bigger games are the ones most likely to move into prime windows or streaming showcase slots once broadcasters finalize the schedule.
How to use the schedule
- Start with the confirmed opener on Friday, Sept. 4, because it is the only game currently tied to a published kickoff time and platform.
- Mark the Missouri and Arizona State games as the season's highest-profile early dates, since both are already locked in on the calendar.
- Watch the Big 12 and KU Athletics pages for subsequent TV announcements, which will likely arrive in waves rather than all at once.
- Plan around Friday games carefully, because Kansas already has confirmed Friday slots in Week 1 and the regular-season finale.
- Check international-time conversions for the London matchup so you do not miss the kickoff window if you are watching from the U.S. or abroad.
Why this schedule matters
This year's Jayhawks schedule has more national flavor than a typical Kansas slate because it combines a rivalry game, an overseas trip, and a late-season Friday finale. Those elements usually create better TV flexibility and more chances for national exposure, especially if Kansas stays in the Big 12 race deep into November.
There is also practical value for fans: once kickoff windows are announced, travelers can book hotels, tailgates, and watch parties with far less guesswork. Until then, the safest plan is to treat Sept. 4 as the first fixed appointment and keep the rest of the season on a watch list.
Everything you need to know about Ku Football Tv Times Updated What Changed This Week
When does KU football start in 2026?
Kansas opens the 2026 season on Friday, Sept. 4 against Long Island in Lawrence, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. CT and streaming on ESPN+.
When will the TV times be announced?
Only the opener has a confirmed broadcast assignment so far, while the remaining 2026 kickoff times and TV windows will be announced later by KU Athletics and the Big 12.
What is the biggest game on the schedule?
The Missouri rivalry game is the biggest early-season home date, while the Kansas State road game and the London matchup against Arizona State are also major fixtures.
How many home games do the Jayhawks have?
Kansas has six regular-season home games in 2026, plus a potential Big 12 Championship appearance in Arlington if it qualifies.