South Carolina kickoff time slots revealed for 2026 season

Like the rest of college football teams across the country, the South Carolina Gamecocks are in the heart of the offseason. But as the calendar turns to June, ESPN is getting us cranked up for football season by dropping some new kickoff time slots for the 2026 season. 

Earlier this week, ESPN revealed the final time slots for all 16 SEC teams for their remaining games. The network assigned three time slots for each game, so while we don't have exact kickoff times just yet, we now have a better idea of when they will kickoff. 

The times slots used by the network include Early (Noon to 1 p.m. ET start), Afternoon (3:30 to 4:30 p.m. ET start) and Night (6 to 8 p.m. ET start). The Flex one means games flexed between the afternoon (3:30-4:30 p.m.) and night (6-8 p.m.) windows. 

Here's a look at where South Carolina will play the rest of its 2026 schedule:

• Sept. 5: Vs. Kent State— 12:45 p.m. (SEC Network)
• Sept. 12: Vs. Towson – 7 p.m. (SEC Network+)
• Sept. 19: Vs. Mississippi State – 4:15 p.m. (SEC Network)
• Sept. 26: at Alabama— Night (6 to 8 p.m. ET start)
• Oct. 3: Vs. Kentucky— Flex
• Oct. 10: at Florida— Early (Noon to 1 p.m. ET start)
• Oct. 24: Vs. Tennessee— Afternoon (3:30-4:30 p.m. start)
• Oct. 31: at Oklahoma— Flex
• Nov. 7: Vs.Texas A&M— Afternoon (3:30-4:30 p.m. start)
• Nov. 14: at Arkansas— Flex
• Nov. 21: Vs.Georgia— Flex
• Nov. 28: at Clemson— TBD

As you can see, there are a number of intriguing takeaways here. First, the network chose to put the Alabama game in an evening slot, which means the Gamecocks will be walking into a tough environment in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Oct. 10 road trip to Florida being slotted for the Afternoon means it will be a hot and humid one playing in The Swamp.  

Two other SEC games for South Carolina against Tennessee and Texas A&M will be afternoon games. Both are expected to be good measuring stick games for the Gamecocks, so an afternoon slot fits the bill here. The remainder of South Carolina's opponents in Kentucky, Arkansas and Georgia being designated as flex time slots makes sense, since where these games kickoff largely depend on how both teams' schedules are going. 

For example, if South Carolina looks primed to upset Georgia late in the season, the network will likely pick a night slot. Kentucky and Arkansas defying expectations and having surprise solid seasons could put either game in a primetime slot.  

Late last month, the Gamecocks first three kickoff times against Kent State, Towson and Mississippi State were revealed, with .

As the season progresses, we'll get more exact kickoff times from the network. But kudos to them for giving us at least an idea of when they might kick off. 

As of June 11, we are officially just 86 days until Week 1 of the 2026 South Carolina season is here. The season can't get here soon enough. 

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