UCF announced its 2026 football schedule on Wednesday, featuring seven home games and five road games.

The Knights will host five Big 12 opponents at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium.

UCF will await the decision of the conference and its television partners before announcing the date of the Mission X Space Game.

Every game — except the home opener — is scheduled to be played on a Saturday. However, it is possible some games may be moved to Fridays or other dates due to TV considerations. Any adjustments will be announced in the coming weeks, according to the school.

UCF kicks off its season against Bethune-Cookman on Thursday, Sept. 3, with the Knights riding an 11-game winning streak on Thursday nights.

UCF then visits Pittsburgh on Sept. 12 for a non-conference matchup, before closing its non-conference slate on Sept. 19 at home with its first-ever game against Georgia State. The game will be played during Family Weekend.

UCF will open conference play at home for the first time since joining the Big 12, hosting TCU on Sept. 26.

The Knights then have a two-game road trip at Houston on Oct. 3 and at Oklahoma State on Oct. 10.

After its bye week on Oct. 17, UCF will have a two-game homestand. The Knights will celebrate homecoming by hosting Pop-Tarts Bowl champion BYU on Oct. 24, followed by a home game vs. Baylor on Oct. 31.

UCF then hits the road to face Kansas on Nov. 7 before returning home to take on  Arizona State on Nov. 14 and Iowa State on Nov. 21.

The Knights will end the regular season at Colorado during Thanksgiving weekend on Nov. 28.

The Big 12 Championship Game is set for Friday, Dec. 4, at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.

UCF coach Scott Frost is hoping the team improves in his second season back since returning to the Knights. UCF went 5-7 last season, keeping the Knights out of a bowl for a second consecutive year. The last time the Knights missed the postseason in back-to-back seasons was 2003-04.

The Knights are 7-20 in conference games since joining the Big 12 in 2023.

UCF 2026 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Sept. 3: vs. Bethune-Cookman

Sept. 12: at Pittsburgh

Sept. 19: vs. Georgia State (Family Weekend)

Sept. 26: vs. TCU (Big 12 Opener)

Oct. 3: at Houston

Oct. 10: at Oklahoma State

Oct. 17: Bye week

Oct. 24: vs. BYU (Homecoming)

Oct. 31: vs. Baylor

Nov. 7: at Kansas

Nov. 14: vs. Arizona State

Nov. 21: vs. Iowa State

Nov. 28: at Colorado