You’re sitting there, thumbing through your calendar, trying to figure out when to book that hotel in Eugene or which Saturday is actually safe for a wedding. We've all been there. If you’re asking "when is the Oregon football game," you aren't just looking for a date; you’re looking for the start of the next era. Honestly, the 2025 season just wrapped up with a wild ride through the College Football Playoff, and the dust is barely settling on that Peach Bowl finish in Atlanta.
The short answer? The Oregon Ducks return to Autzen Stadium on September 5, 2026.
They’re kicking things off against Boise State. It’s a matchup that usually makes Duck fans a little nervous, given the history there. But before you go marking every single Saturday in red ink, there is a lot of nuance to the 2026 schedule that hasn't quite hit the official press releases yet.
When is the Oregon football game actually happening?
The 2026 season is a bit of a beast. Since Oregon moved into the Big Ten, the scheduling math has become way more complicated. We know the non-conference dates because those contracts are signed years in advance. For the rest? You're playing a waiting game with the Big Ten office and their TV partners.
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The Non-Conference "Guarantees"
These are the dates you can actually take to the bank right now.
- September 5, 2026: Boise State at Oregon (Autzen Stadium).
- September 12, 2026: Oregon at Oklahoma State (Stillwater, OK).
- September 19, 2026: Portland State at Oregon (Autzen Stadium).
That trip to Stillwater is going to be a massive early-season test. If you remember the 69-3 blowout against the Cowboys in 2025, don't expect a repeat. Going into Boone Pickens Stadium is a totally different vibe than playing in Eugene.
The Big Ten Mystery
Here is the part that trips people up. We know who Oregon plays in 2026 for the conference slate, but the Big Ten hasn't dropped the specific calendar dates yet. Usually, we see those official dates land sometime in the spring—think late April or May.
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For 2026, the Ducks are slated to host some absolute giants. Michigan is coming to town. Nebraska is finally making the trip to Eugene again. You've also got Northwestern, UCLA, and the inevitable season-ender against Washington.
On the flip side, the road schedule is brutal.
The Ducks have to travel to Columbus to face Ohio State. That is basically the "Game of the Year" candidate the second it's announced. They also have flights booked for Michigan State, Illinois, and a trip down to the Coliseum to play USC.
Why the 2026 schedule feels different
Basically, Dan Lanning has turned this program into a permanent resident of the Top 10. Coming off a 2025 campaign where Oregon beat James Madison in the first round and shut out Texas Tech 23-0 in the Orange Bowl, expectations are through the roof.
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People forget that the 2025 season ended just a few days ago on January 9, 2026. That 56-22 loss to Indiana in the Peach Bowl stung, sure. But it proved Oregon belongs in the 12-team playoff conversation every single year.
The "Dylan Raiola" Factor
One of the biggest reasons people are searching for the Nebraska game date is the transfer portal drama. There is a lot of talk about former Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola potentially looking at the Ducks. If that happens, the Oregon vs. Nebraska game at Autzen becomes the most expensive ticket in the state.
Pro tips for planning your trip to Eugene
If you’re heading to a game at Autzen, you've gotta be prepared for the "it never rains" lie. It totally rains.
- Don't buy standing room only unless you're six feet tall. Fans in the student section stand on their seats, and if you're behind them, you'll be watching the game through the back of someone's jersey.
- Concessions are a battle. The south side concourse gets backed up worse than I-5 on a Friday afternoon. Eat at the tailgate.
- The 2026 Season Ticket Deposits are already open. As of January 17, 2026, you can actually put money down to secure your spot for the Boise State opener.
Actionable next steps
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, don't just wait for the ESPN app to ping you. Set a reminder for mid-April to check the Big Ten official site. That's when the "TBA" on those Michigan and Ohio State games will finally turn into real dates.
Grab your hotel now for that September 5th weekend against Boise State. Prices in Eugene triple the second the schedule is finalized, and honestly, you don't want to be staying in Albany or Salem if you can avoid it. Keep an eye on the transfer portal this month too; the roster that takes the field in September might look very different from the one that just finished the Peach Bowl.