If you’ve spent any time in Lee County lately, you know the vibe is shifting. The air is still cold, but the focus is pivoting fast from the gridiron to the hardwood. With the football season tucked away and a new coaching era under Alex Golesh officially in its infancy, the question of who does auburn play next depends entirely on which ball you’re tracking.
Right now, it’s all about Bruce Pearl and the "Jungle."
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Auburn Basketball: The Immediate Slate
The Tigers are currently deep in the SEC gauntlet. Honestly, the schedule doesn’t do them any favors this month. Following a gritty road trip to Missouri on January 14, Auburn returns home for a high-stakes matchup.
Who does auburn play next? The Auburn Tigers face South Carolina at Neville Arena on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
Tip-off is set for 5:00 PM CST. If you’ve ever been to Neville, you know "Nothing but Neon" night is going to be electric. The Gamecocks have been a thorn in the side of several top-tier programs this year, so this isn't a "gimme" game by any stretch. Auburn enters this stretch with a 10-7 overall record (1-3 in SEC play), meaning every home game is essentially a "must-win" to stay in the NCAA Tournament conversation.
The Road Ahead in January
Once the South Carolina game wraps up, the Tigers hit a brutal road stretch.
- January 20: A trip to Oxford to face Ole Miss (8:00 PM CST).
- January 24: A massive showdown in Gainesville against the Florida Gators.
- January 28: Back home to host the Texas Longhorns for the "Rumble in the Jungle."
Looking to the Fall: The 2026 Football Schedule
While basketball is the current obsession, the 2026 football schedule is already making waves because it looks significantly different than years past. We’re officially in the era of the nine-game SEC schedule. No more "cupcake" November Saturdays—mostly.
Auburn will kick off the 2026 season on September 5 against Baylor. This isn't happening on the Plains, though. They’re heading to Atlanta for the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It’s a high-profile start for Alex Golesh, the new head coach who took the reins after a tumultuous 2025.
Key 2026 Football Dates
- September 12: The home opener at Jordan-Hare against Southern Miss.
- September 19: A massive early-season test against Florida. It’s the Gators' first trip to Auburn since 2011.
- October 17: The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry. Auburn travels to Athens to face Georgia. The Tigers are desperate to snap a nine-game losing streak against the Bulldogs.
- November 28: The Iron Bowl. It’s in Tuscaloosa this year.
The middle of the season is a gauntlet. Between October 3 and October 31, Auburn plays Tennessee, Georgia, and Ole Miss—all on the road, with only a home game against LSU to break it up. That stretch will likely define the first year of the Golesh era.
Why This Schedule Matters for Recruitment
You can't talk about who Auburn plays without talking about why they play them. The move to nine conference games is a double-edged sword. On one hand, the strength of schedule remains elite, which helps with the College Football Playoff committee. On the other hand, the physical toll is massive.
Byrum Brown, the quarterback many are eyeing to lead this offense, will need every bit of that depth the staff is currently building through the portal. The 2026 schedule includes six home games, but the road trips are daunting. Knoxville, Athens, Oxford, Starkville, and Tuscaloosa. That is a "Who's Who" of hostile environments.
Practical Steps for Fans
If you're planning to attend any of these matchups, especially the basketball games this month, here is what you need to do:
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- Check the SEC Network: Most of the January basketball games are broadcast on SECN or ESPN2.
- Ticket Strategy: Neville Arena is consistently sold out. If you're looking for South Carolina or Texas tickets, secondary markets like SeatGeek are your best bet, but expect to pay a premium.
- A-Day Planning: Mark your calendars for April 10-18, 2026. That’s A-Day week, and it’ll be your first real look at how the football team is taking shape under the new staff.
To keep up with real-time score updates and potential time changes for the Florida or Ole Miss basketball games, sync the official Auburn Tigers calendar to your phone. Weather in the SEC can change game times for baseball and softball later this spring, so having those automated alerts is a lifesaver for travel planning.