Kickoff windows revealed for Alabama football’s 2026 SEC schedule

The 2026 Alabama football 2026 schedule is taking shape. With Kalen DeBoer entering his third year at the helm, the Crimson Tide now has much better clarity regarding when they will hit the field during the upcoming campaign.

SEC Kickoff Windows Announced

The SEC officially unveiled kickoff windows for a significant portion of the 2026 slate on Wednesday. While not every specific time is locked in, the league provided a roadmap for fans planning their fall Saturdays at Bryant-Denny Stadium and beyond.

We already knew the television designations for the season's opening three contests, but the Week 4 home game against South Carolina provided the first look at the new window system. That showdown is slated for the "night" window, meaning kickoff will fall between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. CT.

Following the South Carolina game, Alabama travels to face Mississippi State. That October 3 clash is designated for an "early" kickoff, scheduled between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. CT.

Key Matchups and Flex Games

One of the most anticipated games of the season, the October 10 rematch against Georgia, has been locked into the night slot. The Bulldogs will look to secure their first victory in Tuscaloosa since 2007 under the lights.

Four major contests have received a "flex" designation, giving the SEC flexibility to assign kickoff times closer to the date: the Third Saturday in October against Tennessee, the October 24 home game versus Texas A&M, the November 7 trip to LSU, and the November 28 Iron Bowl against Auburn. For flex games, final times will be determined 6-12 days before the kickoff.

Other notable slots include an early start for the November 14 road game at Vanderbilt, and a 1 p.m. CT kickoff for the November 21 home game against Chattanooga, which will be broadcast on SEC Network+.

2026 Alabama Football Schedule

• Sept. 5: East Carolina, 11 a.m. CT, ABC
• Sept. 12: at Kentucky, 2:30 p.m. CT, ABC
• Sept. 19: Florida State, 2:30 p.m. CT, ABC
• Sept. 26: South Carolina, Night
• Oct. 3: at Mississippi State, Early
• Oct. 10: Georgia, Night
• Oct. 17: at Tennessee, Flex
• Oct. 24: Texas A&M, Flex
• Nov. 7: at LSU, Flex
• Nov. 14: at Vanderbilt, Early
• Nov. 21: Chattanooga, 1 p.m. CT, SEC Network+
• Nov. 28: Auburn, Flex