So, you're trying to figure out the date of Big 12 championship game before the season even starts, or maybe you're just a planner who hates missing out on hotel deals in Arlington. I get it. Scheduling in college football has become a bit of a chaotic puzzle lately, especially with the conference expanding to 16 teams.
Basically, if you’re looking for the 2026 season date, you should circle Saturday, December 5, 2026.
It’s almost always that first Saturday in December. Honestly, it’s become a tradition at this point. While the official kickoff time usually stays under wraps until the TV networks (ABC/ESPN) hash out their broadcasting wars, you can usually bet on a morning or early afternoon start. For context, the most recent clash on December 6, 2025, kicked off at 11:00 a.m. local time.
Where the Magic Happens
Every year, fans descend on AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. It’s "Jerry World," and for the Big 12, it's home. The conference actually has a deal to keep the championship game there through 2030, so don't go booking any flights to Kansas City or Orlando just yet.
The atmosphere is usually electric, but the morning kickoffs can be a bit of a shock if you've been "tailgating" (read: staying up too late at Texas Live!) the night before.
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Why the Date Matters More Now
With the College Football Playoff (CFP) expanding to 12 teams, the Big 12 title game isn't just about a trophy anymore. It's a literal golden ticket.
The winner gets an automatic bid.
That 2025 game was a perfect example of the "new" Big 12. You had Texas Tech and BYU—two programs that weren't exactly the "old guard" of the conference ten years ago—fighting for that top spot. Tech ended up crushing it 34-7, securing their spot in the Orange Bowl.
If you're tracking the date of Big 12 championship game, you're really tracking the start of the playoff hunt.
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The Tiebreaker Nightmare
Kinda crazy, but the date of the game is often decided long before we know who is actually playing. Because the Big 12 doesn't have divisions anymore, they use a massive, slightly confusing list of tiebreakers to find the top two teams.
- Head-to-head record (the obvious one).
- Win percentage against common conference opponents.
- Win percentage against the next highest-placed common opponent.
- Combined win percentage of conference opponents (strength of schedule).
- Total wins in a 12-game season.
- SportSource Analytics team rating.
- A coin toss.
Seriously, a coin toss is the final step. Imagine the date of Big 12 championship game arriving and the participants being decided by a quarter in a meeting room. It hasn't happened yet, but in a 16-team league with no divisions, the math gets messy fast.
Planning Your Trip
If you're going to Arlington, you've got to be smart about it. The "date" is a one-day event, but the festivities usually start on Friday.
Last year, they had a whole "Big 12 BLVD" fan fest and even a skyline takeover with light shows on the Reunion Tower in Dallas. If you're staying in Arlington, try to find a spot within walking distance of the stadium, though those prices jump the second the date of Big 12 championship game is confirmed by the standings.
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Most people fly into DFW or Love Field. DFW is closer to the stadium, but Love Field is better if you want to stay in Dallas and experience the nightlife.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to stay ahead of the curve for the upcoming season, here is what you should actually do:
- Book Refundable Hotels Early: Since we know the game is almost certainly December 5, 2026, book a room in Arlington now. Just make sure you can cancel it if your team falls apart in October.
- Monitor the Mid-November Standings: The Big 12 usually releases "clinching scenarios" around Week 11 or 12. That’s when you’ll know if you need to actually pull the trigger on tickets.
- Check the TV Schedule: While the date is set, the time can shift. ABC usually takes the Big 12 game, but the window (noon vs. 3:30 p.m. ET) depends on what’s happening in the SEC or ACC.
- Follow the Official Big 12 Socials: They are the first to announce "Championship Central," which is a hub for tickets and fan events.
Don't wait until the week before. The 2025 game had over 85,000 people in attendance. It’s a massive event, and with the playoff implications higher than ever, that December date is the most important one on the calendar for anyone in the "Middle of Everything."