College Football Spring Games Are Back in 2026, and More Than 40 Power Four Teams Are Ready to Show Out

Spring football is officially here, and it's coming in hot. After a year where the traditional spring game felt like it might be on life support, more than 40 Power Four programs are hosting spring finales this year. The transfer portal settled down after January, rosters are more locked in, and fans are getting an affordable way to see their teams in action before fall camp rolls around.

Last year, spring games looked like a dying breed. Programs were canceling them left and right, worried about injuries, roster tampering, and the chaos of the transfer portal. Nebraska coach Matt Rhule was one of the biggest skeptics, ditching the event entirely before bringing it back this spring. But when the gates opened? A crowd of 27,188 showed up. That's the program's lowest turnout since 2000 and way down from 60,452 in 2024. Even Clemson, historically one of the attendance kings, only drew an estimated 25,000 fans compared to 47,000 two years ago. The message was clear: people still want spring football, but something has shifted in how they're approaching it.

Here's What Spring Looks Like Across the Power Four

From late March through early May, Power Four programs are rolling out their spring finales. The ACC has the busiest calendar, with programs like Clemson kicking things off March 28 at 1 p.m., followed by a wave of games across late April. The Big Ten is loaded too, with Nebraska also going early on March 28 at noon, and then practically every week in April has action. Notre Dame is hosting April 25 at 2 p.m. on Peacock. The Big 12 and SEC are scattered throughout, with some teams waiting until late April and even into early May.

Not every program is jumping back in. A handful of schools aren't hosting spring finales this year, and some haven't announced dates yet. But the overall message is loud: spring football survived the skeptics and is sticking around.

Why This Matters

Spring games are one of the most affordable ways to catch your team live. No matter what happened to your roster in the offseason, this is your chance to see the new look in person before August. Whether it's a traditional scrimmage, a modified format, or an open practice, fans are getting a real look at how teams are shaping up heading into the regular season.

Check the schedule above for your team's date, time, and TV details. This list will keep getting updated as more programs finalize their plans. Spring football is here, and it's not going anywhere.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.