If you’re still trying to get used to seeing the Golden Bears play in the Atlantic Coast Conference, you aren’t alone. It’s weird. Honestly, seeing "Cal" and "ACC" in the same sentence feels like a glitch in the Matrix, but here we are. The cal football schedule 2025 is a bizarre mix of nostalgic West Coast battles and long-haul flights to the Eastern Seaboard that would make a seasoned pilot tired.
Justin Wilcox’s squad is basically living out of a suitcase this year. But beyond the frequent flyer miles, there’s actually a really interesting path to a bowl game hidden in these matchups. If you're planning your Saturdays (and a couple of Fridays) around the Bears, you've gotta look at how these cross-country trips actually shake out.
The Non-Conference Gauntlet: Old Friends and New Tests
Before the ACC chaos really kicks in, Cal has to navigate a non-conference slate that is surprisingly "Pac-12 flavored." They start the season on August 30 against Oregon State in Corvallis. It’s a bit of a throwback.
- August 30: at Oregon State (Reser Stadium)
- September 6: vs. Texas Southern (Home Opener)
- September 13: vs. Minnesota (The Big Ten test)
- September 20: at San Diego State (Snapdragon Stadium)
That Minnesota game on September 13 is a massive one for the program's E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) in the national eyes. Hosting a Big Ten team at California Memorial Stadium is a rare treat. Honestly, if the Bears can come out of September with a 3-1 record, the vibes in Berkeley are going to be through the roof.
The San Diego State trip on September 20 is also a trap game. Snapdragon Stadium is a tough place to play, and the Aztecs always play the "big brother" schools with a chip on their shoulder.
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Entering the ACC: The Long-Haul Logistics
This is where the cal football schedule 2025 gets real. The travel is the biggest talking point among experts like Jake Curtis and the folks over at Write for California.
Cal begins its conference life on the road at Boston College on September 27. Think about that. You go from Berkeley to Chestnut Hill—that’s a 3,000-mile trip.
Key ACC Matchups
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 4 | Duke (Homecoming) | Berkeley, CA |
| Oct 17 | North Carolina (Friday Night) | Berkeley, CA |
| Oct 24 | at Virginia Tech (Friday Night) | Blacksburg, VA |
| Nov 1 | Virginia | Berkeley, CA |
| Nov 8 | at Louisville | Louisville, KY |
The "Friday Night Lights" double-header in October is particularly brutal. On October 17, Cal hosts North Carolina. Then, just a week later, they have to fly across the country to play at Virginia Tech on October 24. That’s a short week with a cross-country flight. It's basically a nightmare for a head coach's preparation.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2025 Schedule
The biggest misconception is that the travel will automatically sink the season. While it's tough, the ACC actually did Cal a bit of a favor. Notice who isn't on the list. No Clemson. No Florida State. No Miami.
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By missing the "Big Three" of the ACC, Cal's path to six or seven wins is actually much smoother than it was in the old Pac-12. You've basically traded playing Oregon, Washington, and Utah for Duke, Virginia, and Wake Forest (who they don't play this year, but you get the point).
The Big Game and the Finale
Of course, the season wouldn't be complete without the 128th Big Game. It’s set for November 22 at Stanford Stadium. Even in a new conference, the Axe is the only thing that matters to a lot of fans.
The regular season wraps up on November 29 at home against SMU. This has the potential to be a "play-in" game for a bowl, or even a spoiler opportunity if the Mustangs are having another high-flying year like they did in 2024.
Staying Fresh: The Bye Weeks
Cal has two critical "Open Dates" this year:
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- October 11: Right after the Duke game.
- November 15: Right before the Big Game against Stanford.
Having a week off before playing the Cardinal is a tactical win for Justin Wilcox. It allows the team to heal up from those brutal October road trips before the most important game on the calendar.
How to Follow the Bears in 2025
If you aren't making the trek to Berkeley or the East Coast, you'll be spending a lot of time on the ACC Network.
Most of the games will be split between ESPN, ESPN2, and the ACC Network. Pro tip: if you’re a cord-cutter, make sure your streaming service actually carries ACCN. A lot of the "base" packages skip it, and there’s nothing worse than trying to find a stream five minutes before kickoff.
To maximize your experience this season, keep an eye on the official Cal Bears Athletics site for kickoff time updates, as the "TV windows" usually don't get finalized until 6 to 12 days before the game.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your TV provider: Ensure you have the ACC Network before the Boston College game on Sept 27.
- Book travel early: if you're eyeing that Virginia Tech trip, Blacksburg is notorious for having limited hotel space during game weekends.
- Sync your calendar: Download the digital schedule from the Cal Athletics page to get automatic kickoff alerts.