MOSCOW, Idaho — University of Idaho football fans across the country will have more opportunities to watch the Vandals on national television in 2026, with the program landing three games on linear ESPN networks — the most since 2009.
The announcements, which came as part of a broader release of game times from ESPN, include two Friday night prime-time slots on ESPN proper and one Thursday night appearance on ESPNU, giving the Vandals their highest-profile broadcast schedule in nearly two decades.
A Season Opener on the Big Stage
Idaho’s 2026 campaign gets underway Friday, August 28, when the Vandals travel to San Luis Obispo to face Cal Poly. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT on ESPN. The game will mark just the second time in program history that Idaho has played a regular-season contest on ESPN’s flagship network.
Five days later, on Thursday, September 3, the Vandals head to Salt Lake City for a marquee non-conference matchup against the University of Utah — a Big 12 program. That game kicks off at 6 p.m. PT on ESPNU, giving Idaho an early-season showcase against a Power conference opponent.
The third nationally televised game comes October 2, when the Vandals host reigning FCS national champion Montana State at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome in Moscow. Originally scheduled for Saturday, October 3, the game has been moved to Friday evening and will kick off at 7:30 p.m. PT on ESPN. It will be Idaho’s first Friday night home game since a November 2010 contest against Boise State, and the program’s first non-Saturday regular-season home game since August 2017.
Program Leadership Reacts to Broadcast News
Idaho head coach Thomas Ford Jr. welcomed the exposure as a boost for both players and the broader Vandal community. “Anytime you can be on national TV it’s a blessing to the program and the university,” Ford said. He added that Vandal fans around the world would have the chance to watch the program “showcase our brand of football,” giving players added motivation heading into each of those contests.
University of Idaho Director of Athletics Terry Gawlik called the three-game national broadcast slate “simply outstanding,” pointing to the exposure it provides not just for the football program but for the university as a whole. “The exposure for our program and the University of Idaho will be off the charts,” Gawlik said.
The games are made possible through the Big Sky Conference’s existing broadcast agreement with ESPN. Since 2023, Idaho has had six Big Sky contests selected for nationwide viewing — more than any other team in the conference during that span.
Full 2026 Schedule
Beyond the three nationally televised games, the Vandals face a full 12-game schedule that includes home matchups against Lamar, Abilene Christian, Southern Utah, Eastern Washington, and UC Davis, along with road trips to Weber State, Montana, Portland State, and rival Idaho State. The season closes November 21 at Idaho State.
Kick times for the remaining games have yet to be announced.
Season tickets are currently on sale through the official athletic department website at govandals.com/tickets.
The broadcast announcements add to what has been a busy stretch for the University of Idaho, which has drawn increased regional and national attention in recent months. The institution has also been navigating federal funding discussions that affect programs across campus — a topic covered in depth as the Trump administration’s proposed changes to rural education funding drew concern from district and university leaders statewide.
What Comes Next
With the August 28 opener at Cal Poly now locked in with a confirmed kick time and national television window, the Vandals will turn attention to fall camp preparations. Fans can expect additional game times for the remaining contests to be released as the season approaches. The Montana State home game on October 2 figures to be a marquee event at the Kibbie Dome, pitting Idaho against the defending FCS champion in a Friday night prime-time setting.