Utah football announces kickoff times, TV info for first three games of 2026 season
May 27, 2026, 1:08 PM | Updated: 1:19 pm
Sep 7, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; The Utah Utes run out on the field before the game against the Baylor Bears at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah football is getting closer now that early-season kickoff times and television designations are starting to hit the calendar.
On Wednesday, Utah announced kickoff times and TV information for its first three games of the 2026 season, all of which will be played at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The Utes also received kickoff and TV information for their regular-season finale against West Virginia on Black Friday.
𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐒 🔒
🆚 Idaho
⏰ THUR 9.3 | 7:00PM MT
📺 @ESPNU🆚 Arkansas
⏰ SAT 9.12 | 8:15PM MT
📺 @ESPNCFB🆚 Utah State
⏰ SAT 9.19 | 1:30PM MT
📺 @CFBONFOX🆚 West Virginia
⏰ FRI 11.27 | 7:00PM MT
📺 @CFBONFOX🎟️ https://t.co/X9iJyVPIvb#GoUtes | #RSNB pic.twitter.com/Gp23iNngrC
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) May 27, 2026
Utah will open the season on Thursday, Sept. 3, against Idaho at 7 p.m. MT on ESPNU. The Utes will then host Arkansas on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 8:15 p.m. MT on ESPN before closing their three-game homestand against Utah State on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 1:30 p.m. MT on FOX.
All remaining Utah games that have not received a kickoff time or television designation will be subject to the standard 12- or six-day television selection window.
Kickoff times, TV info, other details for Utah’s first three games
Utah vs. Idaho
Date: Thursday, September 3, 2026
TV: ESPNU
Kickoff time: 7 p.m. MT
Radio: ESPN 700 & 92.1 FM
Utah opens the Morgan Scalley era at Rice-Eccles Stadium against Idaho.
The Thursday night opener gives Utah a chance to begin the season at home, under the lights, before the schedule quickly ramps up. It will also be the first regular-season game with Scalley leading the program as head coach, adding a layer of significance to what would already be an important season opener.
For the Utes, this game is about more than starting 1-0. It is the first public checkpoint for a program transitioning into a new era while still carrying Big 12 championship expectations.
Utah vs. Arkansas
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
TV: ESPN
Kickoff time: 8:15 p.m. MT
Radio: ESPN 700 & 92.1 FM
Utah’s second game brings one of the more intriguing nonconference matchups on the 2026 schedule.
The Utes will host Arkansas in a prime ESPN window, giving the program an early national spotlight against an SEC opponent. For Utah, this is the kind of game that can shape outside perception before Big 12 play begins.
It also gives Utah a meaningful early test after the opener against Idaho. The Razorbacks should bring SEC size and athleticism into Rice-Eccles Stadium, making this an important measuring-stick game for Utah’s offense, defensive front and overall physicality.
Utah vs. Utah State
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
TV: FOX
Kickoff time: 1:30 p.m. MT
Radio: ESPN 700 & 92.1 FM
Utah wraps up its three-game homestand with an in-state matchup against Utah State.
The game gives the Utes another regional opponent before Big 12 play begins, and it comes in a strong FOX window. It also serves as the final tune-up before Utah opens conference play on the road at Iowa State on Sept. 26.
For Utah, the priority through the first three weeks will be clear: stay healthy, build offensive rhythm, establish defensive identity and enter Big 12 play with momentum.
Utah vs. West Virginia
Date: Friday, November 27, 2026
TV: FOX
Kickoff time: 7 p.m. MT
Radio: ESPN 700 & 92.1 FM
Utah’s regular-season finale was previously locked in. The Utes will host West Virginia on Black Friday at Rice-Eccles Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. MT on FOX.
That game could carry real Big 12 implications depending on how the conference race develops. With the league standings often coming down to late-November tiebreakers and title-game positioning, Utah’s final home game may be more than just a regular-season sendoff.
It could be a game that helps decide whether the Utes are still in the hunt for Arlington.
2026 Utah football schedule
September 3 — Idaho, 7 p.m. MT, ESPNU
September 12 — Arkansas, 8:15 p.m. MT, ESPN
September 19 — Utah State, 1:30 p.m. MT, FOX
September 26 — at Iowa State
October 10 — Kansas
October 17 — at Colorado
October 24 — Houston
October 31 — at Cincinnati
November 7 — BYU
November 14 — at Arizona
November 21 — at TCU
November 27 — West Virginia, 7 p.m. MT, FOX
December 4 — Big 12 Championship Game, Arlington, Texas, 6 p.m. MT
The Utes’ full schedule includes nine Big 12 games and three nonconference games, with the regular season beginning with three straight home contests before Utah travels to Ames for its conference opener against Iowa State.
