If you’re refreshing your betting apps or checking Ticketmaster for the next Arizona State football game, you might want to take a breath. The Sun Devils just wrapped up a 2025 campaign that felt like a fever dream, ending with a tough 42-39 loss to Duke in the Sun Bowl on New Year's Eve.
Right now, the "next" game isn't on the calendar for next week. It’s not even for next month.
We are officially in the thick of the "portal and polish" season. While the pads are off, the program is moving faster than ever. Kenny Dillingham is currently rebuilding the roster in real-time, and the actual kickoff for the 2026 season is set for September 5, 2026, against Morgan State.
The Long Wait for the Next Arizona State Football Game
The gap between the Sun Bowl and the 2026 opener feels massive. It’s roughly eight months of silence at Mountain America Stadium. But "silence" is probably the wrong word for what’s happening in Tempe right now.
Most fans think the schedule is just a repeat of last year. It isn't.
The 2026 slate is actually a logistical monster. We’re talking about a season that includes a massive road trip to College Station to play Texas A&M and a literal flight across the Atlantic.
👉 See also: Eastern Conference Finals 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
Why the London Game Changes Everything
The most talked-about matchup on the horizon isn't even a home game. It’s the "Union Jack Classic." On September 19, 2026, Arizona State will play Kansas at Wembley Stadium in London.
This is huge. It’s the first time the Big 12 is taking a conference game to Europe, and ASU was the pick to lead the charge.
If you're planning on going, you've basically got to treat this like a mini-vacation rather than a Saturday tailgate. Tickets are expected to be a nightmare, and the time difference means Sun Devil fans back in Phoenix will likely be drinking coffee while the game kicks off in the morning.
Who Will Actually Be on the Field?
Since the next Arizona State football game is months away, the roster you saw in the Sun Bowl is already transforming. The transfer portal opened on January 2, and Dillingham has been aggressive.
Honestly, the secondary is getting a total facelift. Just this week, the Sun Devils secured Antoine "AJ" Belgrave-Shorter, a transfer defensive back from Penn State. He’s one of 21 new commits already in the fold for 2026.
✨ Don't miss: Texas vs Oklahoma Football Game: Why the Red River Rivalry is Getting Even Weirder
- The Quarterback Situation: Sam Leavitt is the guy, but the depth behind him is being bolstered.
- The Secondary: Watch out for Adrian "Boogie" Wilson and Florida International transfer Jessiah McGrew. Ward’s defense is hunting for turnovers.
- The Trenches: This is the current "red alert" zone. The staff is still hunting for interior defensive linemen and offensive tackle depth to replace outgoing seniors.
Misconceptions About the 2026 Opponents
People see "Morgan State" on September 5 and think it's a walkover. Sure, it should be a win. But the real meat of the schedule starts a week later.
Going into Kyle Field to face Texas A&M on September 12 is arguably the toughest non-conference test ASU has faced in years. The "12th Man" is real. If the Sun Devils aren't firing on all cylinders by Week 2, that game could get ugly fast.
Breaking Down the Big 12 Grind
The conference schedule is still being finalized in terms of exact dates, but we know who is coming to Tempe.
Mountain America Stadium will host Colorado, Baylor, Oklahoma State, and Kansas State. The big one, obviously, is the Territorial Cup. In 2026, the game against Arizona moves back to Tucson at Arizona Stadium.
Losing the cup 23-7 to the Wildcats back in November still stings for a lot of folks in the 480. That road trip to Tucson later this year will be the ultimate litmus test for whether Dillingham's "Activate" culture is actually sticking.
🔗 Read more: How to watch vikings game online free without the usual headache
Current 2026 Confirmed Schedule (So Far)
- Sept. 5: Morgan State (Home)
- Sept. 12: at Texas A&M (Away)
- Sept. 19: vs. Kansas (London, England)
- TBD: Hawaii (Home - likely late September/early October)
- TBD: at Arizona (Away)
- TBD: Colorado (Home)
- TBD: Baylor (Home)
Notice that Hawaii game? It’s a "buy game" that’s weirdly scheduled after the conference opener in London. It’s a scheduling quirk that might give the team a much-needed "reset" after the jet lag of returning from the UK.
Actionable Steps for Sun Devil Fans
While you can't go to a game tonight, there are specific things you should be doing if you want to be ready for the next Arizona State football game.
First, check your season ticket status. The renewal and "Early Bird" deadline to lock in the lowest prices for 2026 is February 26, 2026. If you wait until the summer, you’re going to pay a premium, especially with the hype surrounding the London game.
Second, if you're eyeing that Wembley trip, start looking at flights now. International travel for a football game is expensive, and once the Big 12 officially releases the ticket blocks in the spring, prices in London will spike.
Keep an eye on the interior line recruitment. The Sun Devils are talented at the skill positions, but the 2026 season will be won or lost based on whether they can find three more reliable bodies for the offensive line before spring practice begins.
The wait is long, but the 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most unique years in Sun Devil history.