The Tennessee Volunteers are gearing up for an exciting 2026 football season, with the SEC recently announcing game times and TV windows for their key matchups. Fans can look forward to a thrilling lineup of games, including a highly anticipated showdown against the Texas Longhorns.
The Volunteers will kick off their SEC schedule with a noon ET matchup against Texas on September 26 at the iconic Neyland Stadium. This game will be broadcast on either ABC or ESPNsetting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying season opener.
The Volunteers’ SEC Showdowns
The Volunteers will face off against some of the SEC’s toughest competitors, with five of their conference games slated for flex TV slots. These matchups include:
- Auburn on October 3
- Arkansas on October 10
- Alabama on October 17
- Texas A&M on November 14
- LSU on November 21
These flex games will have kickoff times set between 3:30-4:30 p.m. or 6-8 p.m.with the exact times to be announced later. Additionally, the Volunteers will take on South Carolina in the 3:30-4:30 p.m. window on October 24host Kentucky between 6-8 p.m. on November 7and play at Vanderbilt in the same time slot on November 28.
Non-Conference Matchups and Special Events
Before diving into SEC play, the Volunteers have a trio of non-conference games with already announced times and broadcasts. They will host Furman at 3:30 p.m. on September 5with the game airing on ESPN+ and SEC Network+. The Volunteers will then travel to Georgia Tech for a 7 p.m. matchup on September 12broadcast on ESPN.
On September 19the Volunteers will host Kennesaw State at 7:45 p.m. on SEC Network. This game will also serve as the Salute to Service game, honoring service members, veterans, and their families.
The SEC’s Kickoff Time Windows
The SEC has established four primary kickoff time windows for the 2026 season:
- Earlynoon-1 p.m.
- Afternoon3:30-4:30 p.m.
- Night6-8 p.m.
- Flex3:30-4:30 p.m. or 6-8 p.m.to be determined
These windows provide flexibility for the conference to optimize broadcast schedules and viewer engagement. The exact kickoff times for flex games will be announced at a later date, along with TV designations.
The 2026 season promises to be an thrilling ride for Tennessee Volunteers football, with a mix of high-stakes SEC matchups and memorable non-conference games. As the season approaches, fans can look forward to an action-packed schedule filled with prime-time showdowns and must-watch moments.
