SEC Moves to Nine League Games Starting in 2026
OXFORD, Miss. — Change is coming to SEC football. Beginning in 2026, the Southeastern Conference will shift to a nine-game league schedule, giving fans even more marquee matchups and keeping the league firmly at the top of the college football world.
The move, approved by SEC Presidents and Chancellors after a recommendation from Athletics Directors, was announced Thursday by Commissioner Greg Sankey.
“Adding a ninth SEC game underscores our universities’ commitment to delivering the most competitive football schedule in the nation,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.
“This format protects rivalries, increases competitive balance, and paired with our requirement to play an additional Power opponent, ensures SEC teams are well prepared to compete and succeed in the College Football Playoff.”
Commissioner Greg Sankey
What It Means for Fans
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The SEC will stick with its single-standings, non-divisional format.
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Every school will have three permanent rivals to keep those classic matchups alive.
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The other six games will rotate among the rest of the league.
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Fans can count on seeing every SEC team at least once every two years — and a home-and-home against everyone within four years.
On top of that, SEC teams will still be required to schedule at least one high-level non-conference opponent each season from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, or Notre Dame.
“The SEC has established itself as the leader in delivering the most compelling football schedule in college athletics,” Sankey added. “Fans will see traditional rivalries preserved, new matchups more frequently, and a level of competition unmatched across the nation.”
A Bit of History
For more than three decades, the SEC has played an eight-game league slate, a format introduced in 1992 when Arkansas and South Carolina joined the conference. Before that, it was seven games from 1988–91 and six from 1974–87. Prior to 1974, there was no standard number of conference games, with most teams scheduling six or seven each season.
With this new change, the SEC is doubling down on its reputation as the toughest week-to-week grind in college football. More rivalries, more showdowns, more chances for fans to see their teams battle the best.
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception. Email Evie at: Evie@TheRebelWalk.com
