University of Houston Athletics
Full 2026 Football Schedule Revealed
1/21/2026 10:00:00 AM | Football
Houston set to host one Texas opponent in 2026, play two Top 25 teams
HOUSTON – Following the program's 10th 10-win season and a fourth-place finish in the Big 12 Conference, the Houston Football team, in coordination with the Big 12, revealed its full 2026 football schedule Wednesday.
Houston will play a pair of teams that won 10 games in 2025 and face four teams that won 6+ games. Three of the Cougars' final four games come against teams that finished in the bottom half of the Big 12 in 2025.
The Cougars have known their competition dates for the three non-conference games scheduled for 2026 with Houston opening the season with two straight home games against Oregon State on Sept. 5 and Southern on Sept. 12. The Cougars round out their non-conference slate with a road game at Georgia Southern in Statesboro, Ga., on Sept. 26 – the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
Houston begins Big 12 action at Texas Tech in Week 3 on Sept. 19, one of two games against Texas opponents and one of two games against teams ranked in the final AP Poll. The Cougars conclude the regular season for the second consecutive season against Baylor, with the 2026 finale being played in TDECU Stadium on Nov. 28.
Following the two home games and two road games to begin the season, the Cougars will host UCF for its Big 12 home opener on Oct. 3.
Houston will then play two road games in a three-game span before its bye week beginning on the road in Manhattan, Kan., on Oct. 10 to play Kansas State. The Cougars then host Oklahoma State on Oct. 17 and then travel to play Utah for the second time as Big 12 members in Salt Lake City. The Houston-Utah matchup is the Cougars' second scheduled game against a team ranked in the final AP Poll of the 2025 season and will be Houston's first trip to Salt Lake City since 1977.
The Cougars will have a bye week Halloween Weekend before hosting Cincinnati on Nov. 7. Houston will travel to Colorado and West Virginia for the first time in program history during its second set of back-to-back road games playing at Colorado on Nov. 14 and at West Virginia on Nov. 21.
The Big 12 Championship is set for Friday, Dec. 4 in Arlington, Texas at AT&T Stadium.
For the third consecutive season, the Cougars will play six home games and six road games which will span three different time zones. Houston will play four home conference games and five conference road games.
FULL SCHEDULE
Sept. 5 – Oregon State
Sept. 12 – Southern
Sept. 19 – at Texas Tech*
Sept. 26 – at Georgia Southern
Oct. 3 – UCF*
Oct. 10 – at Kansas State*
Oct. 17 – Oklahoma State*
Oct. 24 – at Utah*
Oct. 31 – BYE WEEK
Nov. 7 – Cincinnati*
Nov. 14 – at Colorado*
Nov. 21 – at West Virginia*
Nov. 28 – Baylor*
Dec. 4 – Big 12 Championship
* denotes Big 12 Conference game
For Houston's 2027 Big 12 Conference opponents, click here. For Houston's 2027 non-conference schedule, click here.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by purchasing or renewing season tickets, by providing NIL opportunities and by joining The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
–– UHCougars.com ––
Houston will play a pair of teams that won 10 games in 2025 and face four teams that won 6+ games. Three of the Cougars' final four games come against teams that finished in the bottom half of the Big 12 in 2025.
The Cougars have known their competition dates for the three non-conference games scheduled for 2026 with Houston opening the season with two straight home games against Oregon State on Sept. 5 and Southern on Sept. 12. The Cougars round out their non-conference slate with a road game at Georgia Southern in Statesboro, Ga., on Sept. 26 – the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
Houston begins Big 12 action at Texas Tech in Week 3 on Sept. 19, one of two games against Texas opponents and one of two games against teams ranked in the final AP Poll. The Cougars conclude the regular season for the second consecutive season against Baylor, with the 2026 finale being played in TDECU Stadium on Nov. 28.
Following the two home games and two road games to begin the season, the Cougars will host UCF for its Big 12 home opener on Oct. 3.
Houston will then play two road games in a three-game span before its bye week beginning on the road in Manhattan, Kan., on Oct. 10 to play Kansas State. The Cougars then host Oklahoma State on Oct. 17 and then travel to play Utah for the second time as Big 12 members in Salt Lake City. The Houston-Utah matchup is the Cougars' second scheduled game against a team ranked in the final AP Poll of the 2025 season and will be Houston's first trip to Salt Lake City since 1977.
The Cougars will have a bye week Halloween Weekend before hosting Cincinnati on Nov. 7. Houston will travel to Colorado and West Virginia for the first time in program history during its second set of back-to-back road games playing at Colorado on Nov. 14 and at West Virginia on Nov. 21.
The Big 12 Championship is set for Friday, Dec. 4 in Arlington, Texas at AT&T Stadium.
For the third consecutive season, the Cougars will play six home games and six road games which will span three different time zones. Houston will play four home conference games and five conference road games.
FULL SCHEDULE
Sept. 5 – Oregon State
Sept. 12 – Southern
Sept. 19 – at Texas Tech*
Sept. 26 – at Georgia Southern
Oct. 3 – UCF*
Oct. 10 – at Kansas State*
Oct. 17 – Oklahoma State*
Oct. 24 – at Utah*
Oct. 31 – BYE WEEK
Nov. 7 – Cincinnati*
Nov. 14 – at Colorado*
Nov. 21 – at West Virginia*
Nov. 28 – Baylor*
Dec. 4 – Big 12 Championship
* denotes Big 12 Conference game
For Houston's 2027 Big 12 Conference opponents, click here. For Houston's 2027 non-conference schedule, click here.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by purchasing or renewing season tickets, by providing NIL opportunities and by joining The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
–– UHCougars.com ––
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