University of Pittsburgh Athletics
ACC Reveals 2026 Pitt Football Schedule
1/26/2026 6:00:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—An exciting schedule that features a full Atlantic Coast Conference slate and seven home games at Acrisure Stadium awaits Pitt Football in 2026.
The Panthers' 12-game regular-season schedule includes nine ACC contests, a diverse non-conference lineup and multiple primetime dates throughout the fall.
Schedule Highlights
Pitt opens the season at home against Miami (OH) on Sept. 5, followed by another home matchup against UCF on Sept. 12. The Panthers also host Bucknell on Sept. 26 to cap non-conference play.
ACC play features a strong mix of traditional rivals and coast-to-coast matchups. Pitt welcomes Syracuse on Sept. 17 for a Thursday night contest, along with North Carolina (Oct. 10), Georgia Tech (Oct. 31) and Florida State on Friday, Nov. 13, at Acrisure Stadium.
Pitt's ACC road slate includes trips to Virginia Tech (Oct. 2) for a Friday night game, Boston College (Oct. 17), Miami (FL) (Oct. 24), Louisville (Nov. 21) and California (Nov. 28).
The Panthers will have a Week 10 open date on Saturday, Nov. 7.
Times and television designations will be announced at a later date.
The Panthers' Complete 2026 Football Schedule
*ACC game
(Week 1) Saturday, Sept. 5: Miami (OH)
Pitt will play host to the RedHawks for the first time since 1949 and the third time overall, leading the series 2-0. Miami was 7-7 last season and made an appearance in the MAC Championship Game, falling to Western Michigan.
(Week 2) Saturday, Sept. 12: UCF
Pitt and UCF will meet for the fourth time in program history, with the Panthers leading the series, 2-1. The teams last met in 2019 in Pittsburgh, where Pitt earned a 35-34 victory. UCF finished the 2025 season 5-7.
(Week 3) Thursday, Sept. 17: Syracuse*
Pitt has won seven of the last eight and 20 of the last 24 games in the series, which dates back to 1955. The teams last met in Pittsburgh on a Thursday night in 2024, when Pitt returned three interceptions for touchdowns in a 41-13 win.
(Week 4) Saturday, Sept. 26: Bucknell
Bucknell visits Pittsburgh for the ninth time and the first time since 1945. Pitt leads the overall series, 7-2, and the programs first met nearly 125 years ago in 1902.
(Week 5) Friday, Oct. 2: at Virginia Tech*
Pitt returns to Blacksburg for the first time since 2023 for a Friday night matchup. Virginia Tech leads the all-time series, 12-11, and Pitt is 3-8 all-time at Lane Stadium. It will also mark Pitt's first regular-season Friday game since 2019.
(Week 6) Saturday, Oct. 10: North Carolina*
The Panthers host North Carolina for the first time since 2023. The Tar Heels lead the all-time series, 12-6, including a 5-4 advantage in Pittsburgh.
(Week 7) Saturday, Oct. 17: at Boston College*
Pitt leads Boston College, 19-16, in a series that dates back to 1959. Last season, Mason Heintschel completed 30 of 41 passes for 323 yards and four touchdowns in a 48-7 win over the Eagles, marking his first career start.
(Week 8) Saturday, Oct. 24: at Miami (FL)*
Pitt travels to Miami for the first time since 2022, when the Panthers earned a 42-16 victory. Miami leads the all-time series, 30-12-1, which dates back to 1950.
(Week 9) Saturday, Oct. 31: Georgia Tech*
Georgia Tech visits Pittsburgh following last season's 42-28 win by the Panthers in Atlanta. Pitt leads the series 12-6 overall and 5-2 at home.
(Week 10): Open
(Week 11) Friday, Nov. 13: Florida State*
Pitt plays its second regular-season Friday contest, marking the first time the Panthers have played two Friday games in a season since 2012. Pitt leads the overall series against Florida State, 7-5, and the teams are tied 3-3 in games played in Pittsburgh. Last season, Pitt earned a 34-31 road victory over the Seminoles.
(Week 12) Saturday, Nov. 21: at Louisville*
The all-time series between Pitt and Louisville is tied, 11-11, with the Cardinals holding a 5-3 edge in games played in Louisville. Pitt fell 34-27 to Louisville last season and has not defeated the Cardinals on the road since 2011.
(Week 13) Saturday, Nov. 28: at California*
The Panthers close the regular season with a trip to the West Coast to face California for the first time since 1966. Pitt leads the series, 4-2, and is 1-2 in games played at Cal. The Golden Bears will be in their first season under head coach Tosh Lupoi in 2026.
