When Does Alabama Start the 2026 Football Season?
Alabama football fans, your wait is almost over. If you’ve been asking when does Alabama start, the answer is Saturday, September 5, 2026. The Crimson Tide host East Carolina at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa with kickoff set for 11 a.m. CT, airing nationally on ABC.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer enters his second full season with plenty to prove after a rocky start to his tenure. Alabama will look to avoid a repeat of last season’s opening loss to Florida State, when the Seminoles upset the Tide 31-17. A home opener against East Carolina should give Tuscaloosa fans a much more comfortable introduction to the new-look roster.
One of the biggest storylines heading into Week 1: this will be Tide fans’ first live look at a new starting quarterback, as the battle between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell continues to heat up heading into fall camp.
Alabama vs. East Carolina: Series History
The 2026 season opener marks just the second-ever meeting between Alabama and East Carolina, and the first ever played in Tuscaloosa. Alabama edged the Pirates 23-22 at Legion Field in Birmingham back in 1998 in the only previous matchup.
Full 2026 Alabama Football Schedule
Alabama is set to play 12 regular-season games in 2026, including seven home games at Bryant-Denny Stadium and five road contests.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time (CT) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 5 | East Carolina Pirates | Home | 11:00 a.m. | ABC |
| Sept. 12 | Kentucky Wildcats | Away | 2:30 p.m. | TBD |
| Sept. 19 | Florida State Seminoles | Home | TBD | TBD |
| Sept. 26 | South Carolina Gamecocks | Home | Night | TBD |
| Oct. 3 | Mississippi State Bulldogs | Away | 11:00 a.m. | TBD |
| Oct. 10 | Georgia Bulldogs | Home | Night | TBD |
| Oct. 17 | Tennessee Volunteers | Away | Flex | TBD |
| Oct. 24 | Texas A&M Aggies | Home | Flex | TBD |
| Nov. 7 | LSU Tigers | Away | Flex | TBD |
| Nov. 14 | Vanderbilt Commodores | Away | 11:00 a.m. | TBD |
| Nov. 21 | Chattanooga Mocs | Home | 1:00 p.m. | SECN+ |
| Nov. 28 | Auburn Tigers | Home | Flex | TBD |
Alabama will take a night kickoff window against South Carolina (Sept. 26) and Georgia (Oct. 10), while playing an early slot against Mississippi State (Oct. 3) and Vanderbilt (Nov. 14). Flex windows — decided within two weeks of each game — apply to Tennessee, Texas A&M, LSU, and Auburn.
Key Games to Circle on Your Calendar
Florida State Rematch (Sept. 19)
Alabama closes out its home-and-home series with Florida State on September 19. The Tide own a perfect 2-0 mark against the Seminoles at home, and this will mark FSU’s first-ever trip to Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Georgia (Oct. 10)
A night game at Bryant-Denny against the Bulldogs is always a marquee event and one of the most anticipated matchups of the SEC slate.
Iron Bowl (Nov. 28)
Alabama closes the regular season at home against Auburn, with the game slotted in a flex window that will be finalized closer to game day.
SEC Championship Game
The 2026 SEC Championship Game is scheduled for December 5 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Win your games, and the Tide could be heading to Atlanta for a shot at the conference title.
What’s New for Alabama in 2026
The SEC is moving to a nine-game conference schedule beginning in 2026, and the league is mandating that member programs include at least one Power Four non-conference opponent. For Alabama, that game is the home rematch with Florida State on September 19.
How to Watch Alabama Football in 2026
Alabama’s games will be broadcast across ABC, ESPN, SEC Network, and SEC Network+. Flex games will have their networks and exact times confirmed closer to game day. Check your local listings or the SEC’s official broadcast schedule for the most up-to-date TV information.
Bottom Line: When Does Alabama Start?
Alabama opens the 2026 season on Saturday, September 5 against East Carolina at 11 a.m. CT on ABC. With a new quarterback battle, a high-stakes Florida State rematch on deck, and a loaded SEC schedule, this figures to be one of the most watched seasons in Tuscaloosa in years.
Planning to be in Tuscaloosa for game days? Check out when does Alabama start — find student housing options near Bryant-Denny so you’re never far from the action.
Students moving to Tuscaloosa for the fall semester will want to know when does Alabama start — the season opener is just weeks after move-in, making housing location more important than ever. Mark your calendar: football is almost here.