University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt Football Announces Initial 2026 Kickoff Times and TV Designations
5/27/2026 3:00:00 PM | Football
Panthers secure multiple national television appearances as the ACC and ESPN announce select 2026 schedule details
PITTSBURGH—The Atlantic Coast Conference and ESPN announced kickoff times and television designations for a portion of the 2026 football schedule on Wednesday, including Pitt's first five weeks of the season.
The Panthers will open the season against Miami (Ohio) on Saturday, Sept. 5 at Acrisure Stadium. The game will air on The CW with kickoff slated for either noon or 12:30 p.m. Pitt will host the RedHawks for the first time since 1949 and the third time overall, leading the all-time series 2-0.
Pitt returns to Acrisure Stadium the following week to host UCF on Saturday, Sept. 12. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on ESPN2. The Panthers own a 2-1 advantage in the all-time series, including a 35-34 victory in Pittsburgh in the teams' most recent meeting in 2019.
The Panthers' first ACC contest of the season comes on Thursday, Sept. 17 against Syracuse at Acrisure Stadium. The nationally televised matchup will kick off at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN. Pitt has won seven of the last eight meetings against the Orange, including a 41-13 Thursday night victory in Pittsburgh in 2024 that featured three interception returns for touchdowns by the Panthers.
Pitt's Sept. 26 game against Bucknell at Acrisure Stadium will begin at noon and stream on ACCNX. The Bison will visit Pittsburgh for the first time since 1945 in a series that dates back to 1902.
The Panthers will make two Friday night appearances on ESPN during conference play. Pitt travels to Virginia Tech on Friday, Oct. 2 for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Lane Stadium before hosting Florida State on Friday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at Acrisure Stadium.
The Friday night contest against Virginia Tech marks Pitt's first regular-season Friday game since 2019. The Panthers' matchup against Florida State will mark the first time Pitt has played two regular season Friday games in the same season since 2012. Pitt defeated the Seminoles, 34-31, in Tallahassee last season.
Additional kickoff times and television designations for the remainder of Pitt's 2026 schedule will be announced at a later date.
Season tickets for Pitt's 2026 campaign at Acrisure Stadium are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here. Fans can also view single-game ticket pricing here. For additional information on group ticket opportunities, visit PittsburghPanthers.com/groups or contact the Panthers Ticket Office at 412-648-7488.
Pitt Football 2026 Kickoff Times and TV Designations
|
Date |
Opponent |
Time |
TV |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sept. 5 |
Miami (Ohio) |
12 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. |
The CW |
|
Sept. 12 |
UCF |
3:30 p.m. |
ESPN2 |
|
Sept. 17 |
Syracuse |
7:30 p.m. |
ESPN |
|
Sept. 26 |
Bucknell |
12 p.m. |
ACCNX |
|
Oct. 2 |
at Virginia Tech |
7 p.m. |
ESPN |
|
Nov. 13 |
Florida State |
7 p.m. |
ESPN |
