College football 2026: What you need to know about the new season

The 2026 college football season promises to be filled with legal battles, new eligibility rules, and exciting matchups. Subscriptions for the season will cost $205.00 + GST for one year, with automatic renewal at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks. The season kicks off with 17 Football Championship Subdivision games on August 27-28 and 8 Bowl Subdivision games on August 29.

The season officially begins on Labor Day weekend with several Top 25 games, including LSU's Lane Kiffin making his debut against Clemson and Wisconsin playing Notre Dame at Lambeau Field. The most anticipated game of the season is Ohio State's matchup against Texas on September 12.

Notable teams include Miami in the ACC, Ohio State in the Big Ten, Oregon, and Indiana, all vying for the conference championship. In the Big 12, Texas Tech is the favorite, while in the SEC, Georgia is positioned for a third consecutive championship. Navy has the best two-year record in program history, and Liberty is expected to bounce back from a losing season.

The 12-team playoff format continues for a third year, with potential expansion based on discussions between the Big Ten, SEC, Big 12, and Notre Dame. The first-round games will be played on December 18-19, with the championship game scheduled for January 25 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.