It is that time of year where every Husker fan starts checking their calendar and planning their Saturdays around the Sea of Red. If you are looking for when is nebraska's first football game, you basically need to circle September 5 on your calendar.
The 2026 season officially kicks off on Saturday, September 5, with the Nebraska Cornhuskers hosting the Ohio Bobcats at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.
Honestly, it's a bit of a relief to have a firm date. If you follow this team closely, you know the non-conference schedule has been a total mess of cancellations and "what-ifs" over the last year. We were supposed to be hosting a massive SEC powerhouse to start things off, but college football politics and stadium construction projects changed everything.
The Tennessee Cancellation and Why it Matters
For the longest time, Husker nation was buzzing about a home-and-home series with the Tennessee Volunteers. It was the kind of matchup that gets national attention. We were slated to play them right here in Lincoln to open the 2026 season.
Then, the news dropped. Nebraska backed out.
The university cited the massive $450 million renovation project at Memorial Stadium as the primary reason. Basically, they need as many home games as possible in 2027 to cover the revenue they'll lose when seating capacity drops during construction. To make that work, they had to reshuffle the 2026 slate. Nebraska actually paid a $1 million buyout to Tennessee just to get out of the deal.
Instead of a high-stakes battle against the Vols, we got the Ohio Bobcats. It might not have the same "Big Game" feel, but for a team trying to build consistency under Matt Rhule, a manageable opener isn't the worst thing in the world.
Breaking Down the 2026 Season Opener
When the gates open on September 5, things will look a little different. While the kickoff time hasn't been set by the networks yet—we likely won't know if it's a 11:00 AM grind or a night game under the lights until about two weeks before—the atmosphere in Lincoln never changes.
Ohio isn't a pushover, either. They've been a consistent force in the MAC. But let’s be real: the Huskers should handle this.
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Key Details for the Opener:
- Opponent: Ohio Bobcats
- Location: Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, NE)
- Date: September 5, 2026
- Television: Likely Big Ten Network or FS1 (TBD)
Following the Ohio game, the Huskers stay home for two more weeks. They play Bowling Green on September 12 and North Dakota on September 19. It’s a three-game homestand to start the year, which is crucial because the Big Ten road schedule that follows is absolutely brutal.
Looking Ahead: The Big Ten Gauntlet
Once the non-conference "tune-ups" are over, things get real very quickly. Nebraska’s 2026 Big Ten schedule is a rollercoaster. We have to travel to Eugene to play Oregon, which is easily the toughest road trip on the map.
We also host Ohio State and Washington in Lincoln. Think about that for a second. We lose the Tennessee game but gain a schedule that features the Buckeyes, the Ducks, and the Huskies all in the same year. It’s a gauntlet.
The season-ending tradition remains intact, though. Nebraska will face the Iowa Hawkeyes on Black Friday. It's the game that usually determines how the winter feels in the state of Nebraska, and 2026 won't be any different.
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Why This Schedule Is Controversial
You've probably seen the arguments on Reddit or heard them at the local sports bar. Some fans are furious that we dropped the Tennessee game. They feel like the program is "ducking" elite competition to manufacture a winning record.
On the other side, the pragmatists point at the bank account. If Memorial Stadium is going to be a construction zone, the athletic department has to protect its bottom line. Plus, in the new 12-team (and potentially expanding) College Football Playoff era, a loss to Tennessee in Week 1 might not hurt as much as it used to, but a 3-0 start is always better for the vibes.
Practical Steps for Husker Fans
If you're planning to be in Lincoln for when is nebraska's first football game, you should start your prep now.
- Ticket Strategy: Single-game tickets for the Ohio opener usually go on sale in the summer. If you aren't a season ticket holder, keep an eye on the primary market before hitting the resellers, as prices for the opener usually spike once a kickoff time is announced.
- Parking and Construction: With the renovations ongoing, parking near the stadium is going to be even more of a nightmare than usual. Look into the "StarTran" shuttle service that runs from various locations around Lincoln (like North 27th street or Gateway Mall). It’s cheap and saves you from the $50 parking spots.
- Hotel Bookings: If you are coming from out of town, book your hotel in Lincoln or even Omaha right now. Prices for Husker home games triple as the date approaches.
- TV Prep: If you aren't going to the game, make sure your streaming service actually carries the Big Ten Network (BTN). A lot of the cheaper tiers of Sling or Fubo have been shuffling their sports packages lately.
The 2026 season represents a massive turning point for the program. Between the stadium upgrades and the evolving Big Ten landscape, the opener against Ohio on September 5 is more than just a game—it's the start of a new era of Nebraska football.
Make sure your red gear is ready. It's going to be a long, intense ride through the fall.