Tiger Nation, the path back to the mountaintop is coming into focus. Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers just got their marching orders, as the ACC dropped the kickoff times and TV slots for the first three weeks of 2026, plus those all-important non-Saturday showdowns.
With almost half the slate now set in stone, Clemson can circle the dates for a September gauntlet and a late-season road test that could define the year.
The Confirmed 2026 Slate
Sept. 5: at LSU, 7:30 p.m. on ABC. Sept. 12: Georgia Southern comes to Death Valley, 7:30 p.m. on ACC Network. Sept. 19: North Carolina visits for a noon showdown on ESPN. Sept. 25: Friday night lights at Cal, 10:30 p.m. on ESPN. Nov. 20: Another Friday night, this time at Duke, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.
Key Matchup Breakdowns
Week 1: Crucial SEC Litmus Test in Baton Rouge
The season kicks off with a bang as Clemson storms into Baton Rouge for a prime-time showdown with LSU. College GameDay will be there to witness Lane Kiffin's first game at the helm for the Bayou Bengals, but make no mistake—this is Clemson's chance to make a thunderous statement on the national stage. Win here, and the Tigers announce to the country that they're back in the hunt.
Week 2: Home Opener Under the Lights
The Tigers return to the friendly confines of Death Valley for a Saturday night home opener against Georgia Southern. For the third straight year, the lights will be blazing as Clemson welcomes the Eagles, a team the Tigers handled with ease in their only previous meeting—a 38-7 romp in 2018.
Week 3: Conference Opener Against a Legendary Counterpart
ACC play kicks off at high noon as North Carolina rolls into town. It's a heavyweight coaching clash, and you can bet Dabo will have the Tigers fired up to deliver another statement like last October's 38-10 demolition of Bill Belichick's Tar Heels in Chapel Hill.
Week 4: The Late-Night California Trap Game
Friday, Sept. 25 brings a true test of grit as Clemson heads three time zones west on a short week to battle Cal and new head coach Tosh Lupoi. The 10:30 p.m. ET kickoff is the latest for the Tigers since that wild 1982 trip to Tokyo to face Wake Forest. Get your coffee ready, Tiger fans.
Week 12: Short-Week Retribution in Durham
The last ACC battle of the regular season sends Clemson to Durham for a Friday night fight with Duke. The Blue Devils have been a thorn in the Tigers' paw lately, taking wins in both 2023 and 2025. This short-week showdown gives Duke less time to prepare, but it also means Clemson gets a little extra rest before the all-important rivalry clash with South Carolina.
Kickoff times and broadcast networks for the remaining games will be announced by the conference at a later date.
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