The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Football Announces Kickoff Times, TV Designations for Six 2026 Games
5/27/2026 2:00:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – UAB Football, in conjunction with its television partners and conference offices, has announced kickoff times and television designations for six games during the 2026 season.
The schedule is highlighted by three nationally televised contests, including a Thursday night season-opening matchup at Illinois on the Big Ten Network, a Friday night American Conference showdown against Navy on ESPN and a Thursday night Homecoming matchup against East Carolina on either ESPN or ESPN2.
UAB will open the 2026 season on Thursday, Sept. 3 against the Illinois Fighting Illini in Champaign, Illinois. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT on the Big Ten Network.
The Blazers' home opener at Protective Stadium against ULM on Sept. 12 is set for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff on ESPN+, while UAB's road matchup at the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns on Sept. 19 will begin at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
UAB's Sept. 25 Salute to Service game against the Navy Midshipmen will kick off at 6 p.m. on ESPN as part of the American Conference's Friday night package. The Oct. 3 Family Weekend matchup against the cross-town Samford Bulldogs will stream on ESPN+, with kickoff time to be announced at a later date.
UAB's Homecoming game against East Carolina on Thursday, Oct. 15 is slated for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff and will air on either ESPN or ESPN2.
Additional kickoff times and television designations for the remainder of the 2026 season will be announced throughout the year through the conference television selection process.
UAB 2026 Announced Kickoff Times/TV
| Date | Opponent | Time (CT) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 3 | at Illinois Fighting Illini | 8 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Sept. 12 | vs. ULM Warhawks | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Sept. 19 | at Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns | 7 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Sept. 25 | vs. Navy Midshipmen* | 6 p.m. | ESPN |
| Oct. 3 | vs. Samford Bulldogs | TBA | ESPN+ |
| Oct. 15 | vs. East Carolina Pirates* | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN or ESPN2 |
