The 2026 Pac-12 Football Schedule marks the exciting launch of the rebuilt Pac-12 Conference, as the league returns with an eight-team lineup focused on competitive play, scheduling flexibility, and positioning teams for the expanded College Football Playoff.
The Rebuilt Pac-12: Teams and New Era
After significant realignment, the Pac-12 enters 2026 with these eight football members:
- Oregon State Beavers
- Washington State Cougars
- Boise State Broncos
- Colorado State Rams
- Fresno State Bulldogs
- San Diego State Aztecs
- Texas State Bobcats
- Utah State Aggies
This group combines the two surviving original members (Oregon State and Washington State) with strong additions primarily from the Mountain West Conference (plus Texas State from the Sun Belt). The conference officially welcomed the new members on July 1, 2025, setting the stage for a fresh start in fall 2026.
The league’s structure emphasizes a balanced schedule while allowing room for high-profile non-conference games early in the season to boost exposure and revenue.
Key Features of the 2026 Pac-12 Football Schedule
The Pac-12 adopted a 13-week regular season format with these core elements:
- Four non-conference games per team in Weeks 1–4 (September 5–26), enabling matchups against Power conferences or other opponents for national visibility.
- Seven-game round-robin conference schedule spanning Weeks 5–12 (October 3–November 21), with one bye week per team during this eight-week block. This ensures every team faces every other conference opponent exactly once.
- Unique Week 13 “flex” matchups (November 28), featuring four home-and-home games paired strategically. The flex allows the conference to optimize TV slots, protect rivalries, or create compelling late-season storylines based on standings and broadcast interests.
- Pac-12 Championship Game hosted at the home stadium of the higher-seeded team on Friday, December 4, broadcast on CBS and Paramount+.
The Week 13 flex pairings include:
- Boise State at Utah State
- Texas State at Colorado State
- San Diego State at Fresno State
- Oregon State at Washington State
Home teams in flexed scenarios prioritize Colorado State, Fresno State, Utah State, and Washington State where applicable.
This innovative approach gives the conference flexibility to maximize viewership and competitive balance in a smaller league footprint.
Why the 2026 Pac-12 Schedule Matters for Fans and Teams
The round-robin format guarantees familiar rivalries and fair competition, while the early non-conference slate lets teams like Boise State, Fresno State, and others schedule big games against former Power 5 opponents. The flex Week 13 adds drama—potentially creating revenge games, trophy matchups, or high-stakes battles that influence bowl selections or playoff resumes.
For fans, this means more meaningful late-season games and a championship hosted on campus rather than at a neutral site, enhancing atmosphere and tradition.
The Pac-12‘s model reflects a strategic focus on the expanded College Football Playoff, where Group of Five access and strong non-conference results can open doors for at-large bids or the highest-ranked conference champion.
Looking Ahead: What to Expect in 2026
As kickoff approaches on September 5, 2026, excitement builds around how these programs—ranging from established Group of Five powers like Boise State to resilient survivors like Oregon State and Washington State—will compete in the revived Pac-12.
The schedule’s blend of structure and flexibility positions the conference well for growth, fan engagement, and relevance in modern college football.
Stay tuned for official kickoff times, TV assignments, and any adjustments as the season nears. The 2026 Pac-12 promises a compelling first chapter in its new era!