STANFORD, Calif. — The Atlantic Coast Conference released its complete 2026 schedule for all member teams on Monday evening. Stanford football learned the dates for all 2026 ACC matchups, completing its schedule for the upcoming season.
The Tavita Pritchard era begins with a Week 0 game on Saturday, Aug. 29, vs. Hawai’i, the third time in the last four seasons Stanford has opened a season against the Rainbow Warriors. This marks the first time in the current series against Hawai’i that the two teams play at Stanford Stadium.
One week later, ACC play begins as the Cardinal hosts the 2025 College Football Playoff Runner-Up Miami, on Friday, Sept. 4. That game will be the first time the Hurricanes take the field following their 27-21 loss in the National Championship to Indiana. It marks the second season in a row that Stanford will host the runner-up from the previous season (Notre Dame).
Another top team from the ACC heads to Stanford in September as Georgia Tech makes its way to The Farm on Saturday, Sept. 26. The Yellow Jackets opened 2025 8-0 and were ranked as high as No. 7 in the AP Poll before ending their season in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. It marks the first time Stanford and Georgia Tech will play each other.
Stanford has consecutive home games in mid-October, starting with a previously announced nonconference clash against Elon on Saturday, Oct. 17. That game will take place during Reunion Homecoming on Stanford’s campus and will close out the nonconference portion of Stanford’s regular season. The following week, Stanford will host NC State, either on Friday, Oct. 23, or Saturday, Oct. 24. The game’s date will be determined by the league and television networks at a later date.
The 2026 regular season concludes with a home contest against SMU on Saturday, Nov. 28, following the Thanksgiving holiday. It marks the second time SMU heads west to Stanford Stadium, with its first appearance during the 2024 campaign.
Stanford will play five games in the Eastern Time Zone in 2026, beginning with its first road game on Saturday, Sept. 19, at Duke, the 2025 ACC champions. That begins a stretch of five games in a nine-week span in the Eastern Time Zone, including at Wake Forest (Oct. 3), at Notre Dame (Oct. 10), at Louisville (Oct. 31), and at Virginia Tech (Nov. 14).
The 129th Big Game will be the final road game for Stanford in 2026, taking place at California Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 21. Stanford will attempt to retain the Axe on the road and win at California for the first time since 2020.
Times and network designations for select games will begin to be announced at a later date.
Unlock exclusive benefits and experiences by placing a season ticket membership deposit today. Visit Football Ticket Central to learn more about ticket options for the 2026 season. Call 800-STANFORD or email athleticstickets@stanford.edu for additional assistance.
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Aug. 29 | Hawai'i | Stanford, Calif. |
| Friday, Sept. 4 | Miami* | Stanford, Calif. |
| Saturday, Sept. 19 | at Duke* | Durham, N.C. |
| Saturday, Sept. 26 | Georgia Tech* | Stanford, Calif. |
| Saturday, Oct. 3 | at Wake Forest* | Winston-Salem, N.C. |
| Saturday, Oct. 10 | at Notre Dame | Notre Dame, Ind. |
| Saturday, Oct. 17 | Elon (Reunion Homecoming) | Stanford, Calif. |
| Friday, Oct. 23 OR Saturday, Oct. 24 | NC State* | Stanford, Calif. |
| Saturday, Oct. 31 | at Louisville* | Louisville, Ky. |
| Saturday, Nov. 14 | at Virginia Tech* | Blacksburg, Va. |
| Saturday, Nov. 21 | at California* (129th Big Game) | Berkeley, Calif. |
| Saturday, Nov. 28 | SMU* | Stanford, Calif. |
| Saturday, Dec. 5 | ACC Championship Game | Charlotte, N.C. |