Power Four finalize 2026 college football media days schedule originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 2026 media days calendar is set for the ACC, Big 12, SEC and Big Ten, mapping out what has become college football’s annual summer restart button.
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The Big 12 opens things July 7th and 8th at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. The ACC follows July 15th-17th with its Football Kickoff in Charlotte at the Hilton Uptown. The SEC heads to Tampa for the first time July 20th-23rd, taking over the JW Marriott and Tampa Marriott Water Street. The month closes with the Big Ten gathering July 28th-30th at the Hilton Chicago on Michigan Avenue.
Four leagues. Four cities. Nearly the entire month of July claimed.
Media days are never just talking season. They are tone setters. Quarterback questions get asked. Coaches test out message discipline. Commissioners frame the playoff conversation before a single snap is played. Optimism is in the air for everybody.
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And then there is the other side of the FBS map.
As of now, none of the Group of Six conferences have announced dates or locations for their 2026 media days. That list includes the American, Conference USA, MAC, Mountain West, Sun Belt and the rebuilt Pac-12.
That will change. It always does.
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But for now, the spotlight belongs to the Power Four. July is booked. The microphones are waiting.
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