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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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Here is a look at the schedule for fans visiting the 2026 American Kickoff. All events will be at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront.
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\nThursday, July 23
\nRegistration Opens | 11 a.m.
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\nEA Sports\/Kickoff Central \u2022 St. Petersburg Ballroom
\nOpportunities for teams and fans to play EA Sports College Football 2026 and photo\/meet-and-greet opportunities with fans.
\n11 a.m.- 5 p.m.
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\nFriday, July 24
\nRegistration Opens | 7 a.m.
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\nPress Conferences \u2022 Grand Bay Ballroom
\nSit in as head coaches take questions from the media. Lucky fans may have the opportunity to ask questions as well.
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\n8:05\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Commissioner Tim Pernetti
\n8:40\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Blake Harrell, East Carolina
\n9:00\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jeff Traylor, UTSA
\n9:20\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Scott Abell, Rice
\n9:40\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tre Lamb, Tulsa
\n10:00\u00a0\u00a0 K.C. Keeler, Temple
\n10:20\u00a0\u00a0 Neal Brown, North Texas
\n10:40\u00a0\u00a0 Brian Newberry, Navy
\n11:00\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tim Albin, Charlotte
\n11:20\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Will Hall, Tulane
\n11:40\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Charles Huff, Memphis
\n12:00\u00a0\u00a0 Jeff Monken, Army
\n12:20\u00a0\u00a0 Alex Mortensen, UAB
\n12:40\u00a0\u00a0 Zach Kittley, Florida Atlantic
\n1:00\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Brian Hartline, South Florida
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\nEA Sports\/Kickoff Central \u2022 St. Petersburg Ballroom
\nHead 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
\n8:40-9:20\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Charlotte, Navy, North Texas, Temple
\n9:20-10:00\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 UAB, Army, Memphis, Tulane
\n10:00-10:40\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 East Carolina, Rice, UTSA, Tulsa
\n10:40-11:20\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Florida Atlantic, South Florida
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\nRadio Row\/Meet & Greet \u2022 South Entry Hallway
\nHead coaches and student-athletes available for in-person radio\/podcast segments as well as photo\/meet-and-greet opportunities with fans.
\n9:20-10:00\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Charlotte, Navy, North Texas, Temple
\n10:00-10:40\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 UAB, Army, Memphis, Tulane
\n10:40-11:20\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 East Carolina, Rice, UTSA, Tulsa
\n11:20-12:00\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Florida Atlantic, South Florida
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\nTelevision
\nESPN+ 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.
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