Jayhawks 2026 football schedule is released
The Big 12 Conference released Kansas football’s complete 2026 schedule on Wednesday. The Jayhawks will play six games at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, make an overseas appearance in London, and play five Big 12 road matchups.
Kansas, entering its sixth season under head coach Lance Leipold, will open the year at home against Long Island on Friday, Sept. 4. The game marks the start of the Jayhawks’ 135th season and continues play in the rebuilt David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. It will be the first meeting between the two programs.
Week two brings a familiar opponent back to Lawrence. Missouri will visit on Sept. 12 for the StorageMart Border Showdown, renewing a rivalry that dates back to 1891. The matchup will be the first between the teams in Lawrence since 2005 and one of the most frequently played rivalries in college football history.
One week later, the Jayhawks will step onto an international stage. The Jayhawks will face Arizona State in the Union Jack Classic on Sept. 19 at Wembley Stadium, marking the first time Kansas football has played outside the United States. The contest will count as a home game for Kansas and represents the first college football game ever played at the iconic venue.
After a bye week, Kansas returns home on Oct. 3 to host Middle Tennessee State, another first-time matchup. From there, the Jayhawks will enter the heart of Big 12 play with nine consecutive conference games, beginning with a road trip to Utah on Oct. 10.
The annual Sunflower Showdown against Kansas State follows on Oct. 17 in Manhattan. Kansas then returns home to face Baylor on Oct. 24 before heading to TCU on Oct. 31. November features a mix of home and road games, including UCF in Lawrence on Nov. 7, a trip to West Virginia on Nov. 14, BYU at home on Nov. 21, and a regular-season finale at Oklahoma State on Nov. 28.
The Big 12 Championship Game is scheduled for Dec. 4 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
2026 football schedule
2026 Kansas Football Schedule Week 1 – Sept. 4 (Fri.): Long Island
Week 2 – Sept. 12: Missouri
Week 3 – Sept. 19: Arizona State (London)
Week 4 – Sept. 26: BYE
Week 5 – Oct. 3: Middle Tennessee State
Week 6 – Oct. 10: at Utah
Week 7 – Oct. 17: at Kansas State
Week 8 – Oct. 24: Baylor
Week 9 – Oct. 31: at TCU
Week 10 – Nov. 7: UCF
Week 11 – Nov. 14: at West Virginia
Week 12 – Nov. 21: BYU
Week 13 – Nov. 28: at Oklahoma State
