Memphis football releases full 2026 schedule. See all the dates

For the first time in three years, Memphis football won’t play on Thanksgiving.

The American Conference released its football schedule on Feb. 26. Memphis’ non-conference schedule had already been finalized, but the Tigers now know their full path to the conference title.

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Memphis will open the season on Aug. 29 in Las Vegas against UNLV before the home opener against Arkansas State on Sept. 5. That’ll be the first game at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium after the multi-year renovations are finished.

The Tigers will finish non-conference play at Boise State on Sept. 12 and at home against Tennessee Martin on Sept. 19.

Conference play will start at Charlotte after an open week. The Tigers will finish the season at home against Temple on either Nov. 27 or Nov. 28.

Memphis’ first conference home game of the season will be against UAB. That’ll be a highly-anticipated game because it’s the “Battle for the Bones” and because the Blazers pulled off one of the most stunning upsets in college football in 2025 when they beat Memphis in Birmingham in their first game after coach Trent Dilfer was fired. UAB has held the trophy since then.

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The Tigers will host Army on Oct. 31 in the first meeting between the two teams as conference foes. Army joined the American in 2024. After that, Memphis won’t have another home game until the regular season finale against Temple.

The road schedule looks tougher than the home schedule. The Tigers will travel to face Tulane (Oct. 16), USF (No. 12) and Navy (Nov. 21).

Because the Tigers play Week 0, they’ll be one of the only teams in college football with two open weeks. The Tigers will also be off on Nov. 7.

Memphis football schedule 2026

Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.

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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis football releases full 2026 schedule. See all the dates