Everything's changing for the Bulls. Honestly, if you've been following the program lately, you know the vibe in Tampa is electric, but the calendar is about to look a whole lot different than what we've seen over the last few years. The university of south florida football schedule for 2026 is officially taking shape, and it’s not just about who they play—it’s about where they’re playing and the massive transitions happening behind the scenes.
We just came off a 2025 season that had some serious highs, like that gutsy 18-16 win over Florida in Gainesville. But after a tough loss to Old Dominion in the 2025 Cure Bowl, everyone is looking forward. 2026 is basically the "Last Dance" for Raymond James Stadium before the Bulls finally move into their own on-campus home.
The 2026 Non-Conference Slate: A Major Shakeup
Look, the biggest news regarding the university of south florida football schedule for 2026 actually happened in a meeting room in Alabama.
Originally, USF was supposed to host the Crimson Tide in Tampa. That's not happening anymore. In December 2025, Alabama and USF mutually agreed to push that massive matchup all the way back to the 2032 season. It’s a bummer for fans who wanted to see Bama in Ray Jay one last time, but it reshaped the early weeks of the season.
Instead of the Tide, the Bulls are leaning into a mix of regional rivalries and manageable road trips. Here’s how the non-conference schedule is currently sitting:
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- Sept. 5: FIU (Home)
- Sept. 19: Delaware State (Home)
- Sept. 26: at Bowling Green (Away)
The Sept. 12 date is currently an open slot. Some fans are hoping for a late-addition Power 4 opponent, but realistically, Coach Golesh might prefer the early bye week or a lower-tier matchup to get the rhythm right before the American Athletic Conference (AAC) gauntlet begins.
The trip to Bowling Green is a sneaky-tough one. It’s part of a home-and-home series that will see the Falcons come to Tampa in 2030. It’s the kind of game that defines a season; lose it, and you’re scrambling. Win it, and you’ve got momentum heading into October.
AAC Matchups: Who’s Coming to Tampa?
The conference office recently dropped the pairings for 2026, and the home slate is looking pretty decent. Because the AAC uses a single-division format, the top two teams go straight to the title game. To get there, USF has to protect their home turf.
The Bulls will host:
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- Memphis: Always a heavyweight in this league. This game usually has massive title implications.
- Tulane: The Green Wave have been a thorn in everyone's side lately.
- Temple: A game the Bulls should—and need to—win.
- UAB: This series is currently tied 2-2 historically, so there’s some personal pride on the line here.
On the flip side, the road schedule is kinda brutal. The Bulls have to travel to West Point to play Army. If you’ve never seen a game at Michie Stadium, it’s beautiful, but the triple-option (or whatever version they’re running in 2026) is a nightmare to defend on short rest.
They also have road dates at East Carolina, Florida Atlantic (FAU), and UTSA. The FAU game is the one everyone circles. The "Bulls vs. Owls" rivalry is becoming one of the best in the state, mostly because the fans genuinely don't like each other.
Why 2026 is the End of an Era
You can't talk about the university of south florida football schedule without mentioning the $340-million elephant in the room. Or rather, the one being built on campus.
2026 marks the final year the Bulls will call Raymond James Stadium their primary home. Construction is well underway on the new on-campus stadium, which is slated to open for the 2027 season opener against Louisville.
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There's a weird nostalgia settling in. Ray Jay is a pro-level facility, but it’s always felt a bit "borrowed." 2026 is the last chance for fans to enjoy the pirate ship and the massive parking lot tailgates before things get a lot more intimate (and loud) on the USF campus.
Looking Back to Move Forward
The reason expectations are so high for the 2026 schedule is because of what happened in 2025. Coach Golesh has completely flipped the culture.
Last year, the Bulls showed they could hang with the big boys. Taking down Florida on the road was the statement win the program needed for a decade. Even though the season ended with a 10-24 thud against Old Dominion in the Cure Bowl, the foundation is there.
People forget that USF used to be ranked No. 2 in the country back in 2007. They’ve had 10-win seasons in the recent past (2016 and 2017). The 2026 schedule is designed to get them back to that "perennial Top 25" conversation.
Actionable Steps for Bulls Fans
If you're planning on following the university of south florida football schedule closely, you need to be proactive. The transition to the new stadium is changing how tickets are handled.
- Secure Season Tickets Now: USF is using 2025 and 2026 season ticket loyalty to determine seating priority for the new on-campus stadium in 2027. If you want a good seat in the new crib, you've got to be in the stands at Ray Jay this year.
- Watch the February Calendar: While the opponents and pairings are set, the specific dates for the AAC games are usually released in February. This is when you'll find out if that Army game is a Thursday night showcase or a Saturday afternoon slog.
- Monitor the Transfer Portal: With the 12-team (and potentially expanding) College Football Playoff, the 2026 schedule is manageable enough that a few key transfers could put USF in the hunt for the Group of 5 playoff spot.
The 2026 season is going to be a wild ride. Between the Alabama cancellation and the looming move to a new stadium, every game on the university of south florida football schedule feels like it carries extra weight. It’s the end of the "NFL stadium" era and the beginning of something much more personal for the South Florida faithful.