Aztecs get Pac-12 football schedule, which includes ‘flex’ option in final week of regular season

San Diego State’s move to a new conference became more tangible Wednesday night, when the Pac-12 announced its 2026 football schedule.

Each team will play nonconference games in Weeks 1-4 before embarking on an eight-game Pac-12 schedule during Weeks 5-13.  The top two finishers will play for the Pac-12 championship in Week 14, with the game scheduled for Dec. 4.

The most intriguing aspect of the conference schedule is a “flex” option in Week 13 to play a second game against one conference opponent. That game will not count in the conference standings. SDSU hosts Fresno State — “The Team Up North,” as Aztecs players and coaches refer to the Bulldogs — on Oct. 17 and is tentatively scheduled to play the Bulldogs in Fresno on Nov. 28.

The Pac-12 reserves the right to adjust the matchups in the best interest of the conference, giving consideration to what would most benefit conference teams for College Football Playoff consideration. Maintaining flexibility also ensures that a Week 13 matchup isn’t repeated the following week in the Pac-12 championship game.

A second SDSU-Fresno State matchup would beg the question: Is the Old Oil Can trophy at stake for both games, or just the one that counts in the standings? One would imagine the trophy is in play whenever the teams share the field. SDSU defeated the Bulldogs 23-0 in Fresno last season to retain possession of the Old Oil Can.

The Aztecs previously announced their four nonconference games. They open the season against Portland State (Sept. 5) at Snapdragon Stadium, then play a road game against UCLA (Sept. 12), return to Snapdragon against James Madison (Sept. 19), then play on the road against Toledo (Sept. 26).

SDSU, which has been accepting season ticket deposits, is expected to announce season ticket details next week.

Pac-12 schedule

The Aztecs’ first Pac-12 game will be Oct. 3 against Texas State in the first meeting between the programs.

SDSU then alternates between home and road games over the next four weeks — at Oregon State (Oct. 10), vs. Fresno State (Oct. 17), at Colorado State (Oct. 24), vs. Washington State (Oct. 31) — before its only bye week of the season on Nov. 7.

SDSU hosts Utah State (Nov. 14) in its final regular-season home game before traveling to Boise State (Nov. 21) for its final conference game that counts in the standings.

All games are currently scheduled for Saturday kickoffs, though some games could be moved to Thursday or Friday when broadcast networks and kickoff times are announced in May or June. The conference has a five-year contract with broadcast partners CBS Sports, USA Sports and CW Sports.

Flex game

The Pac-12’s eight football-playing schools will face each other in a round-robin format in 2026. The seven-game conference schedule left schools needing one more opponent to fill out their seasons.

Playing a fifth nonconference game was among several considerations, but the Pac-12 determined that scheduling another conference opponent was more reasonable than requiring all eight schools to find a game at such a late date.

In addition to SDSU at Fresno State, the other tentative flex matchups are Boise State at Utah State, Texas State at Colorado State and Oregon State at Washington State.

The flex week games will not be confirmed until six days out.

The Pac-12 has guaranteed each school four conference home games, meaning Colorado State, Fresno State, Utah State and Washington State will all be at home in Week 13 regardless of their opponent.

The Pac-12 also will not send a team on the road to face the same opponent twice this season. For SDSU, this means it will not play Colorado State if the Aztecs are flexed out of the Fresno State game. That leaves either Utah State or Washington State as potential flex opponents.

Pac-12 championship

The championship game matchup will be determined following Week 12 play (Nov. 21), providing a two-week lead time before the title game. The championship will be played on Dec. 4, a Friday, and air on CBS and Paramount+. The game will be hosted by the higher seed.

Tiebreaker procedures to determine the two teams participating in the championship game will be announced at a later date.

Box:  San Diego State’s 2026 football schedule

Home games in ALL CAPS

Sept. 5: PORTLAND STATE

Sept. 12: at UCLA

Sept. 19: JAMES MADISON

Sept. 26: at Toledo

Oct. 3: TEXAS STATE*

Oct. 10: at Oregon State*

Oct. 17: FRESNO STATE*

Oct. 24: at Colorado State*

Oct. 31: WASHINGTON STATE*

Nov. 14: UTAH STATE*

Nov. 21: at Boise State*

Nov. 28: Flex game, tentatively at Fresno State*

Dec. 4: Pac-12 championship, hosted by the higher seed

*Pac-12 game

Notes: Flex game will not count toward conference standings; kickoff times and broadcast networks will be provided at a later date