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Auburn's 2026 football schedule released

by: Caleb Jones6 hours agoCalebJ_Rivals

Auburn’s 2026 schedule is now complete, as the Southeastern Conference released dates for all conference games next season Thursday night.

First-year head coach Alex Golesh will face Baylor, Southern Miss and Samford in the non-conference, with nine SEC games completing the schedule. The SEC announced its switch to a nine-game conference schedule in August.

Here is Auburn’s complete schedule:

DATEOPPONENT
Sept. 5, 2026Baylor (Game in Atlanta)
Sept. 12, 2026Southern Miss
Sept. 19, 2026Florida
Sept. 26, 2026Vanderbilt
Oct. 3, 2026@ Tennessee
Oct. 10, 2026BYE
Oct. 17, 2026@ Georgia
Oct. 24, 2026LSU
Oct. 31, 2026@ Ole Miss
Nov. 7, 2026Arkansas
Nov. 14, 2026@ Mississippi State
Nov. 21, 2026Samford
Nov. 28, 2026Alabama

SEASON OPENER IN ATLANTA

Auburn opens its season in Atlanta Sept. 5, facing Baylor in the Aflac Kickoff Game. The game, which originally had been scheduled as a traditional home-and-home, moved to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in order to provide Auburn student-athletes with structured and approved NIL opportunities. Auburn won the 2024 season-opener against Baylor 38-24 in Waco, Texas.

THREE STRAIGHT HOME GAMES

Southern Miss travels to Auburn for the first time since 2018 on Sept. 12, and the game serves as the Tigers’ home opener. Auburn owns the all-time series 18-5.

It’s been 15 years since Florida last played in Jordan Hare Stadium and Auburn fans won’t have to wait long. Auburn and Florida renew the rivalry in Week 3 on Sept. 19, as Golesh faces fellow first-year SEC head coach Jon Sumrall. Florida won the last meeting in Gainesville 24-13, but Auburn’s won its last three home games against the Gators.

Vanderbilt, which Clark Lea has revamped, is Auburn’s third annual opponent (Georgia and Alabama are the other two). The two programs are set to play each other over the next four years, with the 2026 meeting set for XXX in Auburn. The Commodores won the previous two meetings to take a 23-22-1 lead in the overall series.

HITTING THE ROAD

Auburn heads to Knoxville for the first time since 2013 next season, facing Tennessee in a road contest Oct. 3. The two programs have not played since 2020, and Auburn’s won seven of the last eight. It will be Golesh’s return to Tennessee, where he served as offensive coordinator for Josh Heupel from 2021-2022.

The Tigers will be on a bye week Oct. 10.

Auburn travels to Georgia Oct. 17 and will look to avoid a 10th straight loss to the Bulldogs. Georgia currently has nine straight wins over Auburn, which ties the series record for most consecutive wins by either school. Auburn has not won in Athens since 2005.

LANE TRAIN ARRIVING IN AUBURN

The Tiger Bowl is back, as Auburn hosts Lane Kiffin and LSU Oct. 24. It’s the first time the two programs have met since 2023 after playing each other for 32 consecutive seasons. LSU owns the all-time series 30-24-1.

REMAINING SEC GAMES

The Tigers hit the road Oct. 31, traveling to Oxford to face Ole Miss. Auburn owns the all-time series 35-12, but Ole Miss won the last two meetings.

Arkansas and Auburn play each other for the 35th consecutive season — a streak that will come to an end in 2027. Auburn won the 2025 matchup 33-24 and the home team has not won since 2020. Golesh looks to end that streak when Arkansas comes to town Nov. 7.

Mississippi State hosts Auburn Nov. 14, the first time since 2023 season the two programs will face off. Auburn won the 2023 contest 27-13.

IN-STATE GAMES TO CLOSE THE SEASON

Samford will play Auburn Nov. 21, one week prior to the Iron Bowl. Auburn and Samford last played in 2023, where Auburn won 45-13. It marks the fourth consecutive season that Auburn’s hosted an in-state program in the non-conference.

Auburn will travel to Tuscaloosa on Nov. 28 to face Alabama in the Iron Bowl. The Tigers are seeking their first win inside Bryant-Denny Stadium since Cam Newton led Auburn to a comeback victory in the 2010 season. Alabama is winners of six straight against Auburn — neither team has won more than six games in a row in the series since Alabama won nine straight from 1973-81.