How many days until College Football Season Start?
College Football Season Start is on Thursday, August 27, 2026. There are 17 days left until College Football Season Start. College Football Season Start is observed on First scheduled Week Zero games of the NCAA college football season.
Date & Planning Details
College Football Season Start is observed on First scheduled Week Zero games of the NCAA college football season.
The listed date refers to the first scheduled Week Zero games. Most college football teams begin later during the opening weekend or Week One.
Usually treated as an observance, not a day off.
College Football Season Start Calendar (2026)
| Year | Date | Day | Days Left | Weekend? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | August 27 | Thu | 17 days | No |
What is College Football Season Start?
The college football season start is the first scheduled kickoff of the new NCAA college football calendar. The opening date can fall before the main Saturday slate, especially when Week Zero games are scheduled before Labor Day weekend.
Planning note
Fans planning travel or watch parties should note that the first date may include only a small number of games, while the larger opening weekend usually follows shortly after.
Broadcast note
Game times, TV networks, and streaming details are set by conferences, schools, and broadcast partners, so individual matchup schedules should be checked closer to kickoff.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does college football start in 2026?
The 2026 college football season starts on August 27, 2026, with the first scheduled Week Zero games.
Do all college football teams start on the same day?
No. A few teams may play in Week Zero, while most teams begin during the main opening weekend or Week One.
Why does college football start before September?
Some seasons include Week Zero games in late August, often to support special matchups, travel schedules, or broadcast windows.
Is the college football start date the same every year?
No. The date changes each season because schedules depend on the calendar, conference plans, and approved matchups.
Is this the start of the regular season?
Yes. Week Zero games count as regular-season games, even though most teams do not begin until the following week.
College Football Season Timeline
These milestones show how the college football calendar developed into the modern late-summer kickoff period.
Rutgers and Princeton played one of the first recognized college football games.
Division I-A was created as the top level of NCAA college football.
Week Zero became a known early-start slot for selected college football games.
The College Football Playoff era began, reshaping the postseason calendar.
More Upcoming Days
This countdown uses the selected timezone to keep the live timer and date table consistent.