How many ACC games will Cal play in 2026?

Cal will play nine ACC conference games in the 2026 season.

Which teams will Cal play on Friday nights in 2026?

Cal is scheduled to play three Friday night ACC games against Clemson, SMU, and North Carolina State.

Why were Cal's games against BYU canceled for 2026 and 2027?

The games against BYU were canceled because Cal had to add a ninth ACC opponent, impacting their nonconference scheduling.

Home / Sports / Cal Football Faces Expanded ACC Schedule in 2026

Cal Football Faces Expanded ACC Schedule in 2026

27 Jan

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Summary

Cal will play nine ACC conference games in the 2026 season.
The Bears face three Friday night ACC games against Clemson, SMU, and NC State.
BYU nonconference games for 2026 and 2027 were canceled due to ACC scheduling.

Cal Football Faces Expanded ACC Schedule in 2026

The California Golden Bears will navigate an expanded nine-game ACC conference schedule in the 2026 season, marking the first year under new head coach Tosh Lupoi. The ACC announced its 2026 slate, which includes a challenging series of Friday night matchups for Cal.

The Bears will host Clemson on September 25th, travel to SMU on October 23rd, and play another road game against North Carolina State on October 30th, all under the Friday night lights.

This expanded schedule means Cal had to eliminate a nonconference opponent, leading to the cancellation of their 2026 and 2027 games against BYU. The Big Game against Stanford is scheduled for November 21st, the second-to-last game of the season.

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