How to Watch Penn State Football in 2026, as the Nittany Lions Look for a Fresh Start

In Year 137 of Penn State football, everything is new again. After one of the most profound seasons of offseason change, the Nittany Lions return to Beaver Stadium on Sept. 5 for Matt Campbell's first game as head coach.

In fact, it will be Campbell's first time in Beaver Stadium for any game. He was introduced last December after a chaotic search process to reveal that he has followed the Nittany Lions, from afar, for most of his life.

Then Campbell began the six-week process, which his general manager called "very chaotic," to put together a roster unlike anything Penn State has seen. The Nittany Lions have more transfers (40) on this roster than they had combined since the transfer portal opened in 2018.

Campbell brought 24 of those players with him from Iowa State, where he coached the past decade, and many of them will have starting or key roles this season. Atop that list is quarterback Rocco Becht, the fifth-year senior who is starting for Campbell and offensive coordinator Tayor Mouser for the third straight year.

Penn State's schedule also is a curiosity. For the first time since joining the Big Ten in 1993, Penn State is not playing Ohio State. The Nittany Lions also don't face returning national champ Indiana and CFP qualifier Oregon, leading national voices to label their schedule as playoff worthy.

There's a lot riding on Campbell's first season at Penn State, which makes the team a compelling watch. How can Nittany Lions fans follow along? Here's what we know about Penn State's 2026 football schedule, including kickoff times and networks.

Penn State Nittany Lions football coach Matt Campbell jogs at the start of a practice session inside Holuba Hall. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Penn State 2026 schedule

Date	Opponent	Location	Time	TV
Sept. 5	MARSHALL	Beaver Stadium	3:30 p.m.	FS1
Sept. 12	Temple	Lincoln Financial Field	Noon	ESPN2
Sept. 19	BUFFALO	Beaver Stadium	Noon	BTN
Sept. 26	WISCONSIN	Beaver Stadium	TBA	TBA
Oct. 2	at Northwestern	Ryan Field	8 p.m.	FOX
Oct. 10	USC	Beaver Stadium	TBA	TBA
Oct. 17	at Michigan	Michigan Stadium	TBA	TBA
Oct. 24	BYE
Oct. 31	PURDUE	Beaver Stadium	TBA	TBA
Nov. 7	at Washington	Husky Stadium	TBA	TBA
Nov. 14	MINNESOTA	Beaver Stadium	TBA	TBA
Nov. 21	RUTGERS	Beaver Stadium	TBA	TBA
Nov. 28	at Maryland	SECU Stadium	TBA	TBA

Four Penn State games have kickoff times and broadcast designations so far this season: the Sept. 5 opener vs. Marshall, Week 2 and 3 games vs. Temple and Buffalo and the Oct. 2 Big Ten road trip to Northwestern.

Times and TV channels for most of the remaining Big Ten games will be announced via the conference's six- or 12-day window. The Big Ten's primary broadcast partners are FOX, NBC and CBS, with Peacock getting some streaming rights.

In addition, Penn State has appeared excluslvely on Peacock during the regular season in the past two years. So expect at least one Penn State game to stream solely on Peacock this season.

We're waiting for some potentially interesting kickoff times, perhaps even a prime-time start for the Oct. 17 game at Michigan. Indiana hosts Ohio State on the same day, which puts the Penn State-Michigan game either in the CBS 3:30 p.m. ET window or in prime time.

One more note: Penn State will appear on an ESPN network broadast for the first time since the 2022 season. Since ESPN has the rights to the American Athletic Conference, the Sept. 12 Penn State-Tempe game will be on ESPN2 from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

When is the Penn State White Out?

The Oregon Ducks huddles up in overtime vs. the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium in 2025. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Still no definitive answer on the 2026 White Out game at Beaver Stadium. However, Penn State most likely will host USC for the White Out on Oct. 10 no matter what the kickoff time or network is. A noon ET kickoff is highly unlikely, considering USC's travel schedule, so the White Out will work for either a 3:30 p.m. or night start.

Penn State-USC is the most sensible game for the White Out. The Trojans are making their first visit to Beaver Stadium in 32 years, and the NBC evening window is open, with Notre Dame playing Stanford at 3:30. Just waiting for the announcement.

What you'll need to watch Penn State this season

Penn State Nittany Lions football coach Matt Campbell answers a question during football media day in Holuba Hall. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

For the most part, Penn State football games will be readily available through the free airwaves or on cable and internet packages. Most games will be on either FOX, CBS or NBC, with the Penn State-Temple game being one exception.

The Big Ten also shares its inventory with FS1, Big Ten Network and NBCSN, available on most pay TV premium cable packages. Streamers can find games on Fox One, Paramount+ and Peacock. On the radio, Steve Jones and Jack Ham return for another season together on the Penn State Sports Network. The stream is available through Penn State's website.

Sign up to our free Penn State Nittany Lions newsletter and follow us on social media.

Add us as a preferred source on Google