So, you’re looking for the next time the Crimson Tide takes the field. If you’re checking your watch today, January 16, 2026, I have some news that might be a bummer if you were hoping for a Saturday kickoff tomorrow: the pads are officially off for the season. Alabama's 2025-2026 run just wrapped up following a tough loss to Indiana in the Rose Bowl back on New Year's Day.
Basically, we are deep in the "dark days" of the offseason where the only "games" being played are in the transfer portal and the weight room. But honestly, that doesn't mean the calendar is empty. If you're a die-hard planning your trips to Tuscaloosa, the 2026 schedule is already set in stone, and it's got some absolute bangers.
When Is the Alabama Football Game? The 2026 Schedule Breakdown
The long wait ends on September 5, 2026. That is your official season opener. Alabama will host East Carolina at Bryant-Denny Stadium. It’s usually one of those games where the heat index is roughly a billion degrees and the student section is empty by the third quarter, but it's football, so we'll all be there anyway.
After that, things get real, fast. Here is how the rest of the 2026 slate shakes out:
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- Sept. 12: At Kentucky (Lexington, KY)
- Sept. 19: Florida State (Tuscaloosa, AL)
- Sept. 26: South Carolina (Tuscaloosa, AL)
- Oct. 3: At Mississippi State (Starkville, MS)
- Oct. 10: Georgia (Tuscaloosa, AL)
- Oct. 17: At Tennessee (Knoxville, TN)
- Oct. 24: Texas A&M (Tuscaloosa, AL)
- Oct. 31: BYE WEEK (Grab a pumpkin, take a nap)
- Nov. 7: At LSU (Baton Rouge, LA)
- Nov. 14: At Vanderbilt (Nashville, TN)
- Nov. 21: Chattanooga (Tuscaloosa, AL)
- Nov. 28: Auburn - The Iron Bowl (Tuscaloosa, AL)
Why October is Going to Be Stressful
Look at that October stretch. You’ve got Georgia at home followed by a road trip to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. That is a brutal 14-day window that usually decides if Bama is headed to Atlanta for the SEC Championship or just hoping for a playoff seed. Most people focus on the Iron Bowl, but honestly, that October 10th game against the Bulldogs is the one circled in red on every scout's calendar right now.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Offseason
A lot of fans think that because there isn't a game on TV, nothing is happening. Wrong. January is arguably the most chaotic month in college football. As of this week, head coach Kalen DeBoer is basically playing a high-stakes game of roster Tetris.
The transfer portal window is open until later tonight, and the Tide has already seen some major shifts. Just yesterday, we got word that safety Bray Hubbard is officially returning for his senior year. That’s massive. With the NFL draft looming, losing guys like Ty Simpson (who just declared) means the QB room is about to look very different. You'll likely see Keelon Russell or Austin Mack battling it out when spring practice starts.
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The A-Day Question
If you can't wait until September, your first real look at the team happens in April. While the exact date for the 2026 A-Day spring game hasn't been blasted on every billboard yet, it typically falls on the second or third Saturday of April. Expect a mid-April afternoon in Tuscaloosa where you can see the new transfers and freshmen like five-star RB Ezavier Crowell actually hit someone.
How to Watch and Plan
For the September 5th opener against East Carolina, kickoff times usually don't drop until the summer. However, since it's a non-conference home game, you can almost bet on a mid-day slot on SEC Network or ABC.
If you are traveling:
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- Book your hotel now. Seriously. Nashville for the Vandy game on Nov. 14 will be a nightmare to book if you wait until August.
- Watch the "Open Date." October 31st is the bye. Do not show up to Tuscaloosa in a jersey expecting a game that Saturday; you'll just be hanging out with the locals at Gallettes.
- The Florida State game. Sept. 19 is a "non-con" but it's a massive brand matchup. Expect that to be a night game with all the bells and whistles.
The 2025 season was a wild ride—10 wins, a victory over Auburn in the Iron Bowl, and a SEC Championship appearance—but the 2026 schedule looks even more top-heavy. The road games in Baton Rouge and Knoxville are always "circle the date" events, but having Georgia, FSU, and Texas A&M all come to Bryant-Denny is a gift for season ticket holders.
Your Actionable Next Steps:
Keep an eye on the final portal entries tonight. If Bama snags another offensive lineman (look out for those Michigan connections), the 2026 outlook changes instantly. Check the official RollTide.com site in late February for the exact A-Day kickoff time so you can snag a decent Airbnb before the prices triple.