Knights face a challenging 2026 slate, including key Big 12 battles and revenge opportunities. See who awaits UCF on their path to victory. Record prediction at bottom
Wednesday morning, UCF announced its football schedule for the 2026 season. The schedule features seven home games - five of which are against Big 12 opponents.
According to UCF athletics, "Currently, every game except the home opener is scheduled for Saturday, though select contests may be moved to Fridays, Black Friday, or other special dates. Any adjustments will be announced in the coming weeks. To ensure the best possible gameday atmosphere, UCF will await the decision of the conference and its television partners before designating the date of the Mission X Space Game."
The Space Game in the past has been reserved for Big 12 play towards the end of the season, opening up Arizona State and Iowa State as two potential opponents.
Game 1: Bethune-Cookman
September 3, at home
The Knights open their season against Bethune-Cookman, who went 6-6 last season. The Wildcats were led by former UCF quarterback Timmy McClain and finished with a 5-3 conference record.
Game 2: Pittsburgh
September 12, on the road
UCF will travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Panthers in the second game of the season. Pitt finished last season 8-5 and was tied for second in the ACC with a 6-2 record in conference. True freshman quarterback Mason Heintschel was a revelation for the Panthers, throwing for over 2,300 yards and sixteen touchdowns.
Game 3: Georgia State
September 19, at home
From one Panther to another. The Knights will return home for their second consecutive match-up with the Panthers - this time, from Georgia State. Georgia State had a rough year last season, finishing winless in the conference while going 1-11.
Game 4: TCU
September 26, at home
UCF will open conference play against the Horned Frogs September 26. UCF and TCU have only faced off once since the Knights' move to the Big 12, with the lone victory going to the Knights. TCU will have a new quarterback as Josh Hoover recently committed to Indiana.
Game 5: Houston
October 3, on the road
The Knights will hit the road again following a two-game home stand to take on the Houston Cougars. Houston infamously ended UCF's undefeated Space Game streak last season, so UCF will hope to return the favor in front of the Cougars' home crowd.
Game 6: Oklahoma State
October 10, on the road
UCF will end the two-game road trip with a trip to Stillwater, OK. The Knights have beaten Oklahoma State both times they have faced off with them, last defeating them 17-14 on senior night this past season. However, the Cowboys recently brought in a new coaching staff and quarterback. Their quarterback, Drew Mestemaker, led the country in passing yards (4,379) for North Texas as a freshman last season.
Game 7: BYU
October 24, at home
The Knights will host BYU following the bye week in their seventh game of the season. UCF's last season ended in a loss to BYU, leaving the Knights out of bowl contention. The Cougars finished last season ranked No. 12, just missing out on the College Football Playoff. They were also led by a standout freshman quarterback, Bear Bachmeier. Bachmeier accumulated over 3,000 yards passing while adding 26 total touchdowns.
Game 8: Baylor
October 31, at home
On Halloween, UCF will play host to the Baylor Bears. Baylor has had the Knights' number thus far, winning two of the three matchups the teams have faced off in. Last season, the Bears thumped UCF, winning 30-3. The Bears recently signed former Florida quarterback and 5-star recruit, DJ Lagway.
Game 9: Kansas
November 7, on the road
UCF is yet to beat Kansas since joining the Big 12, losing once at home and once on the road. The Knights will look to change this against a Kansas team who finished 5-7 last season.
Game 10: Arizona State
November 14, at home
The Knights will take on Arizona State, another team they have never beaten. The Sun Devils have been a Big 12 powerhouse for the last few seasons, but will now look to do so without quarterback Sam Leavitt. Leavitt eventually landed at LSU with new head coach Lane Kiffin after being named the No. 1 overall player in the transfer portal.
Game 11: Iowa State
November 21, at home
In UCF's final home game of the year, the Knights will welcome Iowa State. The Cyclones lost their long-time head coach Matt Campbell to Penn State with many of their players following him to his new school. It will be interesting to see what a revamped Cyclones team looks like by this point in the season.
Game 12: Colorado
November 28, on the road
To cap off the 2026 season, UCF will travel to Boulder, CO to take on Coach Prime and the Colorado Buffaloes. The last time these two teams faced off was in one of UCF's most highly anticipated home games ever. However, current NFL players Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, dominated the Knights, and poured fuel on the fire for Hunter to hoist the Heisman trophy.
Season Record Predicton: 7-5
Wins: Bethune-Cookman, Georgia State, TCU, Baylor, Kansas, Iowa State, Colorado