The University of Idaho football program has locked in kickoff times for its 2026 Big Sky Conference slate, with a significant portion of the schedule now set for television audiences beyond the conference’s standard streaming platform.
Idaho’s twelve-game schedule includes seven contests that will air on national or regional networks, ensuring broader access for fans across the country. Three regular-season matchups have secured nationwide broadcast slots, while four additional Big Sky contests will appear on regional television packages.
Prime-Time and Marquee Matchups
The Vandals will open their conference play with Cal Poly on August 28 at 7:00 PM on ESPN, giving the team immediate national exposure to start the season. A week later, Idaho travels to Utah on September 3 for a 6:00 PM kickoff on ESPNU, another prominent national platform.
The most significant conference matchup—the Battle of the Little Brown Stein against Montana—will air on Scripps Sports in Missoula on October 24. This rivalry game carries historical weight for both programs and traditionally draws strong regional interest.
Montana State’s visit to Moscow on October 2 will kick off at 7:30 PM on ESPN, another marquee slot for the Vandals. Head coach Jason Ford emphasized the value of this television exposure, noting that “we have an unbelievable fan base that spans all over the country, so to have them be able to access our games so easily is a huge deal.”
Regional Network Coverage Expands Access
Three home games against Southern Utah, Eastern Washington, and UC Davis have been picked up by SWX, a regional sports network. These contests will feature afternoon kickoff times: Southern Utah on October 24 at 2:00 PM, Eastern Washington on November 7 at 2:00 PM, and UC Davis on November 14 at 1:00 PM.
The broader television distribution reflects the growing competitive profile of Idaho football within the Big Sky Conference. The conference itself announced confirmed kickoff times for all 56 league matchups across ten weekends spanning late August through the end of November, coordinating schedules to optimize television placement and fan access.
What Comes Next
With kickoff times finalized, Idaho fans can now plan their viewing schedules well in advance of the season’s opening kick. The combination of ESPN national broadcasts, regional network coverage, and the conference’s ESPN+ streaming platform ensures that nearly all Vandal games will be accessible to supporters nationwide, whether through traditional television or digital platforms. The University of Idaho football program will begin its conference campaign on August 28 against Cal Poly, with the full schedule now locked in place.
For updates on Vandal athletics and University of Idaho news, fans can follow the program’s official channels. Related developments in the university community include the Groves family’s continued commitment to U of I through Division I basketball and the university’s expansion of academic offerings in AI and robotics.