Tennessee football has announced its 2026 schedule, featuring home games against notable teams like Alabama and Texas. The season will start on September 5 against Furman at Neyland Stadium.
Key points
Tennessee football's 2026 season starts September 5
Home games include Alabama, Texas, and LSU
Josh Heupel is the head coach for the 2026 season
SEC expanded to 16 teams with Oklahoma and Texas in 2024
2026 Tennessee football Checker Neyland, homecoming games announced
2026 will mark the sixth football season for Tennessee under head coach Josh Heupel. The season will also be the third with 16 SEC teams afterĀ OklahomaĀ andĀ TexasĀ became league members in 2024.
The Vols will kick off their 2026 football season Sept. 5 versus Furman at Neyland Stadium.
The Vols will also host Kennesaw State (Salute To Service), Texas, Auburn (champions weekend), Alabama, Kentucky and LSU, while playing at Georgia Tech, Arkansas, South Carolina, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt during the 2026 campaign.
Beginning in 2026, Tennessee will playĀ Alabama,Ā KentuckyĀ and Vanderbilt asĀ permanent opponents. Each SEC school will have three permanent opponents and six rotating opponents for the next four years.
Tennessee's Checker Neyland game will be against Texas. The SEC contest is slated for Sept. 26 at Neyland Stadium.
Nov. 7 will also mark homecoming for the Vols against Kentucky.
Q&A
What teams will Tennessee football play at home in 2026?
Tennessee will host Kennesaw State, Texas, Auburn, Alabama, Kentucky, and LSU at Neyland Stadium in 2026.
When does the 2026 Tennessee football season start?
The 2026 Tennessee football season will kick off on September 5 against Furman.
Who is the head coach of Tennessee football in 2026?
Josh Heupel will be the head coach of Tennessee football for the 2026 season.
Which new SEC teams joined the league before the 2026 season?
Oklahoma and Texas joined the SEC in 2024, making it the third season with 16 teams in the conference.
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Oct. 2, 2004; Knoxville, Tennessee; Tennessee Volunteer tailgaters prior to kickoff against the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium.
The G10 parking garage located between Neyland Stadium and Thompson-Boling Arena on the University of Tennessee's campus in Knoxville on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023.
Tennessee Volunteers fans tailgate on top of G10 garage outside of Neyland Stadium prior to the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers on Oct. 15, 2022 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Downtown Knoxville serves as a backdrop for fans tailgating on the top of the G10 garage before Tennessee's SEC conference game against Alabama on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.
Tailgaters gather on top of the G10 parking garage next to Neyland Stadium prior to the Vols matchup against the Montana Grizzlies Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011.
Kids play parking lot tag football as fans tailgate pregame before the Tennessee Volunteers defeated the Mississippi Rebels, 27-10, at Neyland Stadium on Oct. 1, 2005 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The Big Orange Army tailgates with Volunteer fans outside the stadium prior to the game as the Tennessee Volunteers defeated the Mississippi Rebels, 27-10, at Neyland Stadium on Oct. 1, 2005 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Vols signage returns to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee ahead of the 2022 football season (July 6, 2022).
Oct. 5, 2019; Knoxville, Tennessee; Fans of the Tennessee Volunteers and Georgia Bulldogs tailgate outside Neyland Stadium.
Neyland Stadium towers over G10 garage on University of Tennessee's campus in Knoxville, Tennessee, April 29, 2026.
Vols signage returns to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee ahead of the 2022 football season (July 6, 2022).
General view as fans tailgate prior to the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on Sept. 30, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Neyland Stadium towers over G10 garage on University of Tennessee's campus in Knoxville, Tennessee, April 29, 2026.
Tailgaters next to Neyland Stadium before the Tennessee versus Georgia game on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019.
Vols signage returns to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee ahead of the 2022 football season (July 6, 2022).
Cars fill the upper levels of the G10 parking garage located between Neyland Stadium and Thompson-Boling Arena on the University of Tennessee's campus in Knoxville on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023.
Cars wait to turn into the G10 parking garage located between Neyland Stadium and Thompson-Boling Arena on the University of Tennessee's campus in Knoxville on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023.
Vols signage returns to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee ahead of the 2022 football season (July 6, 2022).
Vols signage returns to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee ahead of the 2022 football season (July 6, 2022).
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PHOTOS: Tennessee's G10 parking garage through the years
Oct. 2, 2004; Knoxville, Tennessee; Tennessee Volunteer tailgaters prior to kickoff against the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium.
1 / 19
PHOTOS: Tennessee's G10 parking garage through the years
Oct. 2, 2004; Knoxville, Tennessee; Tennessee Volunteer tailgaters prior to kickoff against the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium.
2 / 19
PHOTOS: Tennessee's G10 parking garage through the years
The G10 parking garage located between Neyland Stadium and Thompson-Boling Arena on the University of Tennessee's campus in Knoxville on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023.
3 / 19
PHOTOS: Tennessee's G10 parking garage through the years
Tennessee Volunteers fans tailgate on top of G10 garage outside of Neyland Stadium prior to the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers on Oct. 15, 2022 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
4 / 19
PHOTOS: Tennessee's G10 parking garage through the years
Downtown Knoxville serves as a backdrop for fans tailgating on the top of the G10 garage before Tennessee's SEC conference game against Alabama on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.
5 / 19
PHOTOS: Tennessee's G10 parking garage through the years
Tailgaters gather on top of the G10 parking garage next to Neyland Stadium prior to the Vols matchup against the Montana Grizzlies Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011.
6 / 19
PHOTOS: Tennessee's G10 parking garage through the years
Kids play parking lot tag football as fans tailgate pregame before the Tennessee Volunteers defeated the Mississippi Rebels, 27-10, at Neyland Stadium on Oct. 1, 2005 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
7 / 19
PHOTOS: Tennessee's G10 parking garage through the years
The Big Orange Army tailgates with Volunteer fans outside the stadium prior to the game as the Tennessee Volunteers defeated the Mississippi Rebels, 27-10, at Neyland Stadium on Oct. 1, 2005 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
8 / 19
PHOTOS: Tennessee's G10 parking garage through the years
Vols signage returns to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee ahead of the 2022 football season (July 6, 2022).
9 / 19
PHOTOS: Tennessee's G10 parking garage through the years
Oct. 5, 2019; Knoxville, Tennessee; Fans of the Tennessee Volunteers and Georgia Bulldogs tailgate outside Neyland Stadium.
10 / 19
PHOTOS: Tennessee's G10 parking garage through the years
Neyland Stadium towers over G10 garage on University of Tennessee's campus in Knoxville, Tennessee, April 29, 2026.
11 / 19
PHOTOS: Tennessee's G10 parking garage through the years
Vols signage returns to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee ahead of the 2022 football season (July 6, 2022).
12 / 19
PHOTOS: Tennessee's G10 parking garage through the years
General view as fans tailgate prior to the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on Sept. 30, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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PHOTOS: Tennessee's G10 parking garage through the years
Neyland Stadium towers over G10 garage on University of Tennessee's campus in Knoxville, Tennessee, April 29, 2026.
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PHOTOS: Tennessee's G10 parking garage through the years
Tailgaters next to Neyland Stadium before the Tennessee versus Georgia game on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019.
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PHOTOS: Tennessee's G10 parking garage through the years
Vols signage returns to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee ahead of the 2022 football season (July 6, 2022).
16 / 19
PHOTOS: Tennessee's G10 parking garage through the years
Cars fill the upper levels of the G10 parking garage located between Neyland Stadium and Thompson-Boling Arena on the University of Tennessee's campus in Knoxville on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023.
17 / 19
PHOTOS: Tennessee's G10 parking garage through the years
Cars wait to turn into the G10 parking garage located between Neyland Stadium and Thompson-Boling Arena on the University of Tennessee's campus in Knoxville on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023.
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PHOTOS: Tennessee's G10 parking garage through the years
Vols signage returns to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee ahead of the 2022 football season (July 6, 2022).
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PHOTOS: Tennessee's G10 parking garage through the years
Vols signage returns to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee ahead of the 2022 football season (July 6, 2022).
