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The 2026 American Kickoff begins Thursday, July 23, and continues through Friday, July 24. Fans of all 14 American teams will enjoy unprecedented access to press conferences, a behind-the-scenes look at the television coverage and meet-and-greet opportunities for some of the top coaches and players in the nation.
Twenty-eight student-athletes are scheduled to attend this year’s Kickoff, which will be held in St. Petersburg, Florida, for the first time. Media sessions will begin at 11 a.m. ET on Thursday and will continue Friday morning with press conferences from the 14 head coaches. Commissioner Tim Pernetti will deliver his remarks Friday at 8:05 a.m. ET.
Here is a look at the schedule for fans visiting the 2026 American Kickoff. All events will be at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront.
Thursday, July 23
Registration Opens | 11 a.m.
EA Sports/Kickoff Central • St. Petersburg Ballroom
Opportunities for teams and fans to play EA Sports College Football 2026 and photo/meet-and-greet opportunities with fans.
11 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Friday, July 24
Registration Opens | 7 a.m.
Press Conferences • Grand Bay Ballroom
Sit in as head coaches take questions from the media. Lucky fans may have the opportunity to ask questions as well.
8:05 Commissioner Tim Pernetti
8:40 Blake Harrell, East Carolina
9:00 Jeff Traylor, UTSA
9:20 Scott Abell, Rice
9:40 Tre Lamb, Tulsa
10:00 K.C. Keeler, Temple
10:20 Neal Brown, North Texas
10:40 Brian Newberry, Navy
11:00 Tim Albin, Charlotte
11:20 Will Hall, Tulane
11:40 Charles Huff, Memphis
12:00 Jeff Monken, Army
12:20 Alex Mortensen, UAB
12:40 Zach Kittley, Florida Atlantic
1:00 Brian Hartline, South Florida
EA Sports/Kickoff Central • St. Petersburg Ballroom
Head coaches and student-athletes available at assigned tables for interviews with print and online media and one-on-one interviews with local television and radio. Fans can get a behind-the-scenes look at the ESPN+ television production with their favorite coaches and players
8:40-9:20 Charlotte, Navy, North Texas, Temple
9:20-10:00 UAB, Army, Memphis, Tulane
10:00-10:40 East Carolina, Rice, UTSA, Tulsa
10:40-11:20 Florida Atlantic, South Florida
Radio Row/Meet & Greet • South Entry Hallway
Head coaches and student-athletes available for in-person radio/podcast segments as well as photo/meet-and-greet opportunities with fans.
9:20-10:00 Charlotte, Navy, North Texas, Temple
10:00-10:40 UAB, Army, Memphis, Tulane
10:40-11:20 East Carolina, Rice, UTSA, Tulsa
11:20-12:00 Florida Atlantic, South Florida
Television
ESPN+ will carry two feeds from the American Kickoff, beginning at 7:50 a.m. ET on Friday, July 24. Host Maria Trivelpiece will join analysts Rene Ingoglia and Leger Douzable as well as reporter Erin Summers for nearly six hours of live coverage, while a second feed will include the press conferences of Commissioner Tim Pernetti and the American’s 14 head coaches.