Ohio State football schedule and key dates for the 2026 season

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With Big Ten football media days finishing up, it won't be long until the college football season starts. In fact, we are just five weeks away from the first game for Ohio State when it hosts Ball State in the 'Shoe. We thought we'd get you ready for the season with some important dates coming up for the Buckeyes so that you can mark your virtual calendars, set your DVRs, or just be reminded.

Here are some of the most important dates for the Ohio State football season as things get started with fall training camp this week, through the season, and beyond into the Big Ten Championship Game and College Football Playoff. Do with the information as you wish.

Ohio State football important dates for the 2026 season

  • Thursday, August 6 – Start of fall training camp
  • Thursday, August 6 through Saturday, August 8 – Fall training camp open to the public (with tickets)

Ohio State football regular season schedule

Sat, Sept 5 – vs. Ball State Cardinals – Ohio Stadium (Columbus, OH) – 12:30 PM | BTN

Sat, Sept 12 – @ Texas Longhorns – DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium (Austin, TX) – 7:30 PM | ABC

Sat, Sept 19 – vs. Kent State Golden Flashes – Ohio Stadium (Columbus, OH) – 12:00 PM | FOX

Sat, Sept 26 – vs. Illinois Fighting Illini – Ohio Stadium (Columbus, OH) – TBD

Sat, Oct 3 – @ Iowa Hawkeyes – Kinnick Stadium (Iowa City, IA) – TBD

Sat, Oct 10 – vs. Minnesota (Homecoming) – Ohio Stadium (Columbus, OH) – TBD

Sat, Oct 17 – @ Indiana Hoosiers – Memorial Stadium (Bloomington, IN) – TBD

Sat, Oct 24 – OFF WEEK

Sat, Oct 31 – @ Oregon Ducks – Ohio Stadium (Columbus, OH) – TBD

Sat, Nov 14 – vs. Northwestern Wildcats – Ohio Stadium (Columbus, OH) – TBD

Sat, Nov 21 – @ Nebraska Cornhuskers – Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, NE) – TBD

Sat, Nov 28 – vs. Michigan Wolverines – Ohio Stadium (Columbus, OH) – 12:00 PM | FOX

College Football Postseason

  • Sat, Dec 5 – Big Ten Championship Game – Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis, OH) – 8:00 PM | FOX

College Football Playoff Dates

First Round

  • Fri, Dec 18 and 19 – On campus for higher seeds

Quarterfinals

  • Fiesta Bowl: Wednesday, December 30, 2026, at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
  • Peach Bowl: Friday, January 1, 2027, at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
  • Rose Bowl: Friday, January 1, 2027, at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential

Semifinals

  • January 14, 2027: Capital One Orange Bowl
  • January 15, 2027: Allstate Sugar Bowl

College Football Playoff national championship game

  • January 25, 2027, at Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas, NV)

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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State football schedule and key dates for the 2026 season

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