Key Highlights
- The 2026 season of college football is set to begin on Thursday, August 27 with ‘Week Zero’ games.
- The CFP National Championship Game will be held in Las Vegas for the first time on January 25, 2027.
- Indiana secured the 2025-26 College Football Playoff title and is expected to compete again in the upcoming season.
- The 2026 season features a mix of traditional matchups and international games like the Aer Lingus College Football Classic and College Football Brasil.
College Football Season Kickoff: August 27, 2026
The anticipation is building for college football fans as the 2026 season is set to kick off on Thursday, August 27. This marks the start of ‘Week Zero,’ a week before the official Week 1 games.
International Beginnings
It’s no surprise that this year’s opening acts will include some international flair. The Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland, and the College Football Brasil game in Rio de Janeiro are set to ignite excitement among fans across continents. These games serve as a reminder of how college football has become an international sport.
Week Zero Games
The schedule for Week Zero is packed with intriguing matchups:
- Mercyhurst at Youngstown State | 6 p.m. ET
- Charleston Southern at Lindenwood | 7 p.m. ET
- Central Arkansas at UT Martin
- Eastern Illinois at Murray State
- Maine at Towson
- Stony Brook at Delaware State
- LIU at North Dakota
Fresh off their victory in the 2025-26 College Football Playoff, Indiana is poised to make a strong statement. The Hoosiers will face a formidable schedule as they prepare for the next chapter.
National Championship Planning
The CFP National Championship Game is set for January 25, 2027, in Las Vegas, Nevada. This will be a historic first for the city, marking its entry into the elite stage of college football. Fans and analysts alike are already buzzing about potential matchups and strategies.
Future Challenges
The upcoming season brings with it challenges that teams must face. From the international games to the intense competition in Week 1 on September 5, every team will need to be at their best. The college football landscape is always dynamic, but for Indiana and their supporters, there’s a sense of continuity from last year’s success.
You might think this is new, but the excitement of college football never fades. From the first whistle on August 27 until the final game in Las Vegas, it will be an unforgettable season.
