Honestly, trying to keep track of a major SEC program like Oklahoma is a full-time job. Between the football team’s massive schedule release for 2026 and the winter grind of basketball, it’s easy to get lost. You've probably found yourself frantically searching when do the Sooners play while trying to plan a wedding, a tailgate, or just a Saturday on the couch.
We are currently in the thick of the 2025-26 athletic calendar.
If you are looking for immediate action, the focus is squarely on the hardwood and the diamond. The 2025 football season ended with a tough loss to Alabama in the College Football Playoff back in December, and the program has already pivoted to a 2026 schedule that looks absolutely brutal.
The Basketball Grind: Winter 2026
Porter Moser’s squad is deep into the SEC gauntlet right now. If you're wondering about the next few tip-offs, the Lloyd Noble Center is going to be rocking this month.
- January 17, 2026: The Sooners host the Alabama Crimson Tide at high noon. It’s a Saturday game, so expect Norman to be packed early.
- January 20, 2026: A quick turnaround for a road trip to Columbia to face South Carolina at 6:00 PM.
- January 24, 2026: Back on the road again, this time at Missouri. Tip-off is set for 1:00 PM.
- January 27, 2026: The Arkansas Razorbacks come to town for a Tuesday night clash at 6:00 PM.
- January 31, 2026: The big one. Oklahoma vs. Texas at home. 1:00 PM. Wear crimson.
The February schedule doesn't get any easier. You've got road trips to Kentucky (Feb 4) and Vanderbilt (Feb 7) followed by a home stretch against Georgia and Texas A&M later in the month. Basically, if it’s a Tuesday or a Saturday in the next six weeks, there is a very high chance the Sooners are on your TV.
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Looking Ahead: The 2026 Football Schedule
The SEC recently finalized the 2026 football dates, and it’s a doozy. If you’re a fan who likes to travel, start saving your pennies now because the road games are legendary.
Non-Conference Openers
The season starts at home on September 5 against UTEP. A week later, on September 12, the Sooners head to Ann Arbor for a massive rematch against Michigan. They return to Norman on September 19 to play New Mexico before diving headfirst into the conference schedule.
The SEC Gauntlet
September 26 is a date every fan has circled. The Sooners travel to Athens to play Georgia. It’s only the second time these two have ever met on a college campus. After an early bye week on October 3, the Red River Rivalry takes over Dallas on October 10.
The rest of the home slate features Kentucky (Oct 17), South Carolina (Oct 31), Ole Miss (Nov 14), and a late-season clash with Texas A&M on November 21. For the road warriors, you'll be heading to Mississippi State (Oct 24), Florida (Nov 7), and closing the year at Missouri on November 28.
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Softball: The Dynasty Returns
You can't talk about Oklahoma sports without Patty Gasso. The 2026 softball season is right around the corner, and Love's Field is basically the center of the softball universe.
The season officially kicks off in February with a trip to Arizona. They’ll play Arizona State on February 5, followed by a weekend in Tucson for the Candrea Classic. They don't hit Norman for a long home stretch until March 6, when the Okana Invitational begins.
If you want to see them play their biggest rivals, mark April 10-12 for the series at Texas, and April 15 for the Bedlam game against Oklahoma State, which will be held at Devon Park in Oklahoma City.
How to Actually Watch the Games
It’s 2026, and the "where is the game on" struggle is real. Since OU is fully entrenched in the SEC, most games are split between ABC, ESPN, and the SEC Network.
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For the basketball games this month, the SEC Network is your best friend. For football, the 2026 season will see a heavy dose of ABC "Game of the Week" spots, especially for the Michigan and Georgia matchups. If you're local, the Sooner Sports Radio Network remains the gold standard for catching the play-by-play while you're driving down I-35.
Actionable Steps for Sooner Fans
To stay on top of the schedule without losing your mind, here is what you should do:
- Sync the Calendar: Go to the official Sooner Sports website and use the "Add to Calendar" feature. This will push game times and TV channels directly to your phone.
- Check the Weather: If you are heading to the Alabama basketball game on the 17th, Norman weather in mid-January is unpredictable. Layers are your friend.
- Ticket Strategy: For the 2026 football season, the Michigan and Georgia games are already seeing high secondary market demand. If you aren't a season ticket holder, look at single-game options sooner rather than later.
- Download the App: The Oklahoma Sooners app provides real-time score alerts, which is helpful when you're stuck at a grocery store during a midweek basketball game.
Knowing when do the Sooners play is just the first step; making sure you've got the right channel or the right tailgate spot is the real work. With a schedule this packed across football, basketball, and softball, there is rarely a weekend without crimson on the field.