The UCF Knights officially have their 2026 football schedule, and it should have fans ready for a great season under head coach Scott Frost. In his first season back in Orlando, Frost led the Knights to a 5-7 record, which was one more win than they had in 2024 with arguably a worse roster in 2025.
In 2025, Frost was just trying to get through the season as he was late to the recruiting game when he was hired. The Knights were just one win away from bowl eligibility, and they easily could have been there if some plays had gone a different way in a few different games. Looking at the 2026 schedule, though, the Knights definitely have a great chance at bowl eligibility and maybe even more.
2026 @UCF_Football Schedule 🏈
— UCF Knights 🌴 (@UCFKnights) January 21, 2026
9/3 vs. Bethune-Cookman
9/12 at Pitt
9/19 vs. Georgia St. 🧑🧑🧒🧒
9/26 vs. TCU
10/3 at Houston
10/10 at Oklahoma St.
10/17 BYE
10/24 vs. BYU 🐥
10/31 vs. Baylor
11/7 at Kansas
11/14 vs. Arizona St.
11/21 vs. Iowa St.
11/28 at Colorado
UCF could have its most competitive Big 12 season in 2026 with newest schedule release
The 2026 football schedule for UCF is one of its best in the Big 12 since the Knights joined the conference back in 2023. UCF won't have to play the reigning Big 12 Champions this season, but they will face the runner-up, hosting BYU in Orlando.
The greatest thing about UCF's schedule is that they play seven games at home this season. The Knights have always played better at home than on the road. While the Bounce House may not be rocking as much as it used to, if UCF can get on a roll in 2026, with the extra seating that is being added this offseason, it could be a very loud and hostile environment.
In Big 12 play, UCF will face four teams that finished in the bottom eight of the 16-team conference last season. TCU and Iowa State are just outside of the bottom eight, but the Horned Frogs just lost quarterback Josh Hoover, and the Cyclones lost Matt Campbell to Penn State this offseason.
Arizona State and Houston will be some tough games on the schedule for the Knights, but if they can compete well, both of those games could look really good on UCF's resume if they are wins. Everything looks be going in favor of UCF heading into the 2026 season as Frost has worked really hard in the transfer portal.