SPORTS

Tennessee, Kentucky announce early kickoff times and networks

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Knoxville: Tennessee announced kickoff times for its first three 2026 football games, stating the Vols will open Sept. 5 against Furman at 3:30 p.m., travel to Georgia Tech for a 7 p.m. Sept. 12 primetime game, and host Kennesaw State Sept. 19 at 7:45 p.m., with networks listed for each matchup. The announcements, made this week by team and media outlets, name ESPN and SEC Network platforms for the broadcasts and note conference play begins Sept. 26 against Texas; Kentucky similarly released early windows for its first three games, and final game-time windows are expected to be released on June 10 to finalize logistics.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

Early June 2026: NCAA conferences and broadcasters coordinate early-season scheduling.
Early June 2026: Tennessee publishes kickoff times for Sept. 5, 12 and 19 games.
Early June 2026: Yahoo Sports and local broadcasters report the announced kickoff times and networks.
10th June 2026: Remaining game time windows and flex designations scheduled to be released.
Late September 2026: Conference play begins for Tennessee against Texas on Sept. 26.

Why This Matters to You

If you're a football fan in Tennessee or Kentucky, mark your calendars. The early kickoff times for the first three games are out. ESPN and SEC Network will broadcast the games. Check your cable or streaming subscriptions to ensure you have access.

The Bottom Line

The countdown to the 2026 football season has begun. Tennessee and Kentucky have released their early schedules. The final game-time windows will be out on June 10. Worth forwarding if you know someone who bleeds orange or blue.