2026 Gators schedule drops, and it’s another SEC gauntlet from start to finish

Florida State v Florida | Megan Briggs/GettyImagesThe 2026 Florida Gators football season schedule was released by Florida on Thursday and the first under guidance of new head coach, Jon Sumrall and his regime kicks off in the Swamp in a similar way the 2025 season began, against an in-state foe, except this matchup occurs on week one instead of week two. On September 5, 2026 the Gators will welcome the Owls of Florida Atlantic to Gainesville to open their 2026 season.

This will mark the fourth time the Owls and Gators have faced off. UF holds a 4-0 record against Florida Atlantic, with the Gators winning the latest 2021 matchup 35-14. Many expect the Gators should make it 5-0, but after…