If you're waking up in Pittsburgh today, January 18, 2026, and looking for the Pitt Panthers to take the field at Acrisure Stadium, I've got some bad news for you. No, Pitt is not playing football today. Honestly, unless you're a die-hard NFL fan watching the divisional playoffs, there isn't any football happening in the 412 this afternoon. The college season basically wrapped up weeks ago for Pat Narduzzi and his crew.
It feels a bit weird, doesn't it? Usually, by mid-January, we're still buzzing about the season, but the reality is that the Panthers' 2025-26 campaign hit its final whistle back in late December. Specifically, that 23-17 loss to East Carolina in the Military Bowl on December 27 officially shut the door on the year.
Where is the team?
The players aren't just sitting around, obviously. Right now, the guys are in that weird limbo phase of the academic semester and winter conditioning. While the grass at the stadium is likely covered in a light frost or just looking dormant, the UPMC Sports Performance Complex on the South Side is probably hopping. This is the "grind" season. You've got guys like quarterback Mason Heintschel—who thankfully confirmed he’s returning for the 2026 season—already back in the weight room trying to build on a freshman year where he threw for over 2,000 yards.
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Is Pitt playing football today or anytime soon?
The short answer is a hard no. You won't see any live Pitt football until the Blue-Gold Spring Game, which usually happens in mid-April. We don't have an exact date for the 2026 spring scrimmage yet, but it's typically a Saturday afternoon affair that gives us a first look at the early enrollees and those high-profile transfers everyone's been tweeting about.
If you are looking for Pitt athletics today, you actually have a couple of options, just not on the gridiron.
- Wrestling: The Panthers are hitting the mats at Duke at 11 AM today.
- Women's Basketball: They’re hosting SMU at the Petersen Events Center at 1 PM.
It's a different vibe than a Saturday at Acrisure, but if you need that "H2P" fix, the Pete is where it's at.
The 2026 outlook is already moving
Even though the team isn't playing, the front office and coaching staff are basically working 20-hour days. Just two days ago, on January 16, the transfer portal "window" officially closed for most underclassmen, and Pitt has been active. Just today, news broke that Antonio Chadha, a kicker from Western Illinois, committed to the Panthers. It's not a flashy touchdown, but after the special teams' struggles we saw in the Military Bowl, a guy who can nail 53-yarders is a huge deal.
Narduzzi is also overhaulng the staff. He just introduced four new assistant coaches, including special teams veteran Mike Priefer. It's clear the "same old, same old" wasn't going to cut it after finishing 8-5. That record sounds okay on paper, but the way they lost to Miami and then crumbled against ECU left a bitter taste in everyone's mouth.
What about the Steelers?
Sometimes people ask "is Pitt playing football today" because they get the schedules mixed up with the Steelers. Well, the Steelers actually played their Wild Card game last Monday and lost to the Texans. So, even the pros are done in Pittsburgh for the year. It's officially "wait until next season" territory for the entire city.
When is the next Pitt football game?
Mark your calendars for September 5, 2026. That’s when the Panthers will officially kick off the next season at home against Miami (OH).
The 2026 schedule is actually looking pretty interesting. We know they have home games against Florida State, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, and Syracuse. They also have to travel to face James Franklin and Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. That’s going to be a loud one. But for today? Grab a Primanti's sandwich, stay warm, and maybe catch the basketball game.
Next Steps for Pitt Fans
- Check the official Pitt Athletics calendar for the spring game announcement in February.
- Keep an eye on the remaining transfer portal news as post-graduates can still move around.
- If you're local, head to the Petersen Events Center to support the basketball teams while the football pads are in storage.