If you are looking for the California Golden Bears Football Schedule 2026 in a clean, easy-to-read format, this is the season to bookmark. Cal’s official 2026 football schedule is now live, and it delivers a strong mix of home games at California Memorial Stadium, major ACC matchups, a highly anticipated rivalry game against Stanford, and a season-ending home finale against Pittsburgh. Better yet, the official Cal athletics schedule page includes Print, Grid, and Text options — so fans can head straight to the source and use the Print icon to download a California Golden Bears Football Schedule Printable PDF in just a few clicks.
Whether you are a season-ticket holder, an alumnus planning travel, or a student marking your Saturdays, this guide covers everything you need to know about the 2026 schedule — date by date, game by game.
Full California Golden Bears Football Schedule 2026
Here is every game on the official 2026 Cal football schedule, listed in order:
| Date | VS / AT | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 5 (Sat) | vs UCLA Bruins | Cal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA |
| Sep 12 (Sat) | at Syracuse Orange | JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, NY |
| Sep 19 (Sat) | vs Wagner Seahawks | Cal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA |
| Sep 25 (Fri) | vs Clemson Tigers | Cal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA |
| Oct 3 (Sat) | at UNLV Rebels | Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV |
| Oct 10 (Sat) — Homecoming | vs Virginia Tech Hokies | Cal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA |
| Oct 17 (Sat) | vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons | Cal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA |
| Oct 24 (Sat) | at SMU Mustangs | Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX |
| Oct 31 (Sat) | at NC State Wolfpack | Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC |
| Nov 14 (Sat) | at Virginia Cavaliers | Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA |
| Nov 21 (Sat) | vs Stanford Cardinal | Cal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA |
| Nov 28 (Sat) | vs Pitt Panthers | Cal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA |
| Dec 5 (Sat) — ACC Championship | vs TBD | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC |
That is 12 regular-season games, one bye week, and a potential ACC Championship appearance on December 5. For anyone building a printable schedule, refrigerator copy, phone wallpaper, or desk planner, this layout makes the entire season easy to follow at a glance.
How to Get the California Golden Bears Football Schedule Printable PDF
To download or print the official schedule, visit the Cal Bears 2026 football schedule page directly at: Printable Schedule PDF
Once you are on the page, look for the Print icon near the schedule view options. The page offers Print, Grid, and Text views, giving fans the flexibility to save the layout they prefer. Click the Print icon, and you can save it as a printable PDF for personal use — no manual copying required. This is the fastest and most accurate way to get a clean, updated version of the schedule you can pin on a bulletin board, share with friends, or keep handy on game days.
See also: Boston College Eagles Football Schedule 2026 – Printable PDF
What Makes the 2026 Schedule Stand Out
A Strong Home Schedule from the Start
One of the biggest advantages of the 2026 slate is that Cal gets meaningful home games early. The Bears open the season on September 5 against UCLA at California Memorial Stadium — an immediate marquee matchup that gives Berkeley fans something to get excited about right out of the gate. After a road trip to Syracuse, Cal returns home for back-to-back games against Wagner on September 19 and Clemson on Friday, September 25. Clemson is one of the most high-profile opponents on the entire schedule, and hosting them in Berkeley makes late September one of the most important stretches of the year.
A Coast-to-Coast Road Schedule
Cal’s away schedule has a real cross-country feel in 2026. The Bears travel to Syracuse, New York in week two, then head to Las Vegas for a game at Allegiant Stadium against UNLV on October 3. Later in October, the road trips continue to Dallas for a game against SMU on October 24 and Raleigh for a game at NC State on October 31. The final road test comes on November 14 at Virginia in Charlottesville. That kind of schedule demands depth, smart travel preparation, and consistent performance away from home — it is the kind of challenge that can define a season.
Homecoming Weekend Is a Marquee Date
October 10 is officially listed as Homecoming / Alumni & Parents Weekend on the Cal athletics schedule page, and the opponent could not be better suited for the occasion — Virginia Tech visits California Memorial Stadium for what should be one of the most heavily attended home games of the year. If you are planning to bring family to campus or attending as an alum, October 10 is a date to lock in early.
The 129th Big Game
For Cal fans, no date on the schedule carries more emotional weight than November 21 — the day the 129th Big Game comes to Berkeley. Stanford visits California Memorial Stadium in what has always been one of the most meaningful rivalry matchups in college football. The Big Game is circled on every Cal fan’s calendar from the moment the schedule drops, and the fact that it is a home game in 2026 makes it even more special.
A Strong Finish at Home
After the Big Game, Cal closes the regular season on November 28 against Pittsburgh at home. Ending the season in front of the home crowd gives the Bears a genuine opportunity to finish strong and potentially set the stage for a bowl bid or an ACC Championship run. The ACC Championship game is scheduled for December 5 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, with Cal’s opponent listed as TBD.
Why the 2026 Season Matters Beyond the Field
The official Cal announcement confirmed that 2026 is the first year the ACC will use a nine-game conference schedule model, meaning Cal is set to face nine ACC opponents this season. That makes every conference game carry extra weight — from the home games against Virginia Tech and Wake Forest to the road trips to SMU, NC State, and Virginia. Bowl positioning and ACC Championship hopes will likely come down to how Cal performs in this expanded conference slate.
For fans following along all season, having a printable PDF version of the schedule is more than just a convenience. It helps you plan travel for road games, track the bye week, and mark every important weekend in one simple document. A printed schedule is easy to share with family, keep at your desk, or post on a wall at home. The official Cal page makes that process completely straightforward with its built-in Print option.
Season Outlook: What Cal Fans Should Watch
September sets the tone. Cal faces UCLA, Syracuse, Wagner, and Clemson in the first four weeks — all before October even starts. A strong September builds momentum and confidence heading into the ACC stretch. The road trips in October and early November will be the real test, especially the back-to-back away games at SMU and NC State. The bye week on November 7 arrives at the right time, giving Cal a chance to rest and prepare for the final home stretch that includes Stanford and Pitt.
From a pure fan experience standpoint, the best home dates to circle are:
- September 5 — UCLA season opener
- September 25 — Clemson on a Friday night
- October 10 — Virginia Tech Homecoming
- October 17 — Wake Forest
- November 21 — The Big Game vs Stanford
- November 28 — Season finale vs Pitt
Conclusion
The California Golden Bears Football Schedule 2026 gives fans a loaded calendar with something to look forward to almost every Saturday from September through November. Between the early home opener against UCLA, the high-stakes game against Clemson, a memorable Homecoming against Virginia Tech, the historic 129th Big Game against Stanford, and a final regular-season game against Pittsburgh, this is a schedule worth saving.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Cal open the 2026 football season?
Cal opens the 2026 season at home against the UCLA Bruins on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California.
Does Cal have a Homecoming game in 2026?
Yes. The official Cal athletics schedule lists Homecoming / Alumni & Parents Weekend on October 10, 2026, when the Virginia Tech Hokies visit California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley.
When is the Big Game against Stanford in 2026?
The official schedule lists the 129th Big Game against Stanford on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley. It is a home game for Cal this year.
Is there a bye week on the 2026 Cal football schedule?
Yes. The official schedule shows November 7, 2026 as an off week — a bye week — before Cal resumes play on the road at Virginia on November 14, 2026.