Alabama Football 2026: Schedule, Roster & News Guide
Alabama Football: Schedule, Roster, Coach & Recruiting Guide
By the Crimson Tide Editorial Desk | Fact-checked against Alabama Athletics, the SEC, and official team sources | Last updated July 2, 2026
Every Saturday in the fall, millions of fans search for the same thing: accurate, current answers about Alabama football. Outdated schedules, vague coaching updates, and recycled recruiting rumors waste your time. This guide fixes that. Below you’ll find the current Alabama football schedule, roster, coaching staff, recruiting class, and score history, organized in one place and checked against official sources.
What Is Alabama Football Known For?
Alabama football is the intercollegiate program of the University of Alabama, playing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) as part of the Football Bowl Subdivision. The Crimson Tide plays home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, one of the largest and loudest venues in college sports, with an average 2025 home attendance of 100,077 fans per game.
Few programs match Alabama football for sustained success. The Tide has claimed multiple national championships across different eras, produced dozens of NFL first-round picks, and built one of the most recognizable brands in American sports. The crimson-and-white color scheme, the elephant mascot “Big Al,” and the roar of “Roll Tide” are cultural touchstones far beyond the state of Alabama.
Key facts about the program:
- Conference: Southeastern Conference (SEC)
- Home stadium: Bryant–Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Saban Field)
- Head coach: Kalen DeBoer, entering his third season in 2026
- 2025 finish: 11–4 overall, 7–1 in SEC play, ranked No. 9 in the final AP poll
- Rivalries: Auburn (Iron Bowl), Tennessee, LSU, and Georgia
Alabama Football Schedule 2026: Full Breakdown
The Alabama football schedule for 2026 marks the first year of the SEC’s new nine-game conference format, and it was officially released in December 2025. The Crimson Tide plays seven home games and five true road contests, with the SEC Championship Game set for December 5 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sept. 5 | East Carolina | Home |
| 2 | Sept. 12 | at Kentucky | Away |
| 3 | Sept. 19 | Florida State | Home |
| 4 | Sept. 26 | South Carolina | Home |
| 5 | Oct. 3 | at Mississippi State | Away |
| 6 | Oct. 10 | Georgia | Home |
| 7 | Oct. 17 | at Tennessee | Away |
| 8 | Oct. 24 | Texas A&M | Home |
| 9 | Oct. 31 | Open Date | — |
| 10 | Nov. 7 | at LSU | Away |
| 11 | Nov. 14 | at Vanderbilt | Away |
| 12 | Nov. 21 | Chattanooga | Home |
| 13 | Nov. 28 | Auburn (Iron Bowl) | Home |
Auburn, Tennessee, and Mississippi State remain permanent annual opponents under the SEC’s new scheduling model. Every other Alabama football schedule opponent rotates on a set cycle, so fans will see Georgia, Texas A&M, and South Carolina return to Tuscaloosa for the first time since 2024.
Looking Back: The Alabama Football Schedule 2025 Season
Understanding where the program stands in 2026 starts with a clear look at how the Alabama football schedule 2025 season actually played out. It was a season of dramatic swings: a season-opening road loss, a statement win in Athens, and a run to the College Football Playoff.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 30 | at Florida State | Loss, 17–31 |
| Sept. 6 | Louisiana–Monroe | Win, 73–0 |
| Sept. 13 | Wisconsin | Win, 38–14 |
| Sept. 27 | at Georgia | Win, 24–21 |
| Oct. 4 | Vanderbilt | Win, 30–14 |
| Oct. 11 | at Missouri | Win, 27–24 |
| Oct. 18 | Tennessee | Win, 37–20 |
| Oct. 25 | at South Carolina | Win, 29–22 |
| Nov. 8 | LSU | Win, 20–9 |
| Nov. 15 | Oklahoma | Loss, 21–23 |
| Nov. 22 | Eastern Illinois | Win, 56–0 |
| Nov. 29 | at Auburn (Iron Bowl) | Win, 27–20 |
| Dec. 6 | vs. Georgia (SEC Championship) | Loss, 7–28 |
| Dec. 19 | at Oklahoma (CFP First Round) | Win, 34–24 |
| Jan. 1, 2026 | vs. Indiana (CFP Quarterfinal) | Loss, 3–38 |
Alabama finished 11–4, reached the SEC Championship Game, and won its College Football Playoff opener before falling to eventual finalist Indiana in the Rose Bowl. Quarterback Ty Simpson had a standout season, earning multiple SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors, while the defense under coordinator Kane Wommack ranked among the SEC’s stingiest units, allowing just 19.2 points per game.
Meet the Alabama Football Coach and His Staff
Kalen DeBoer is the current Alabama football coach, hired in January 2024 to succeed Nick Saban. His first season produced a 9–4 record and a ReliaQuest Bowl appearance. His second season, in 2025, delivered real progress: an 11–4 finish, a Dodd Trophy nomination, and an SEC Championship Game berth.
DeBoer built his staff around continuity and experience. Here’s the coaching structure heading into 2026:
| Role | Coach |
|---|---|
| Head Coach | Kalen DeBoer |
| Offensive Coordinator | Ryan Grubb |
| Co-Offensive Coordinator / WR Coach | JaMarcus Shephard |
| Co-Offensive Coordinator / QB Coach | Nick Sheridan |
| Defensive Coordinator | Kane Wommack |
| Co-Defensive Coordinator / CB Coach | Maurice Linguist |
| Offensive Line Coach | Chris Kapilovic |
| Defensive Line Coach | Freddie Roach |
| Running Backs Coach | Robert Gillespie |
| Special Teams Coordinator | Jay Nunez |
One interesting note for Alabama football fans: defensive coordinator Kane Wommack previously served as head coach at South Alabama before joining DeBoer’s staff in 2024, a small but telling link between the state’s two FBS programs.
Alabama Football Roster: Who’s Leading the Tide
The 2025 roster produced ten NFL Draft selections in April 2026, including left tackle Kadyn Proctor (Miami Dolphins, Round 1) and quarterback Ty Simpson (Los Angeles Rams, Round 1). That kind of talent turnover is normal for a program at this level, and it means the 2026 Alabama football roster leans on a new core of returning starters and incoming signees.
Notable returning contributors for 2026 include:
- Ryan Williams — wide receiver, a preseason All-SEC first-team selection as a sophomore in 2025
- Keelon Russell — quarterback, a five-star 2025 signee who backed up Ty Simpson
- Isaiah Horton — wide receiver, a transfer contributor with multiple touchdown games in 2025
- Bray Hubbard — safety, a two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Week honoree
Notable 2026 NFL Draft departures from the roster:
| Player | Position | Draft Round | NFL Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kadyn Proctor | Offensive Tackle | 1 | Miami Dolphins |
| Ty Simpson | Quarterback | 1 | Los Angeles Rams |
| Germie Bernard | Wide Receiver | 2 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| LT Overton | Defensive Tackle | 4 | Dallas Cowboys |
| Parker Brailsford | Center | 5 | Cleveland Browns |
Roster turnover like this is part of why an accurate, current Alabama football roster matters more than a memory of last year’s depth chart. Fans tracking specific position battles should check Alabama Athletics’ official roster page closer to fall camp, since practice reps shift daily.
Alabama Football Recruiting: Building the Next Class
Recruiting is the engine behind sustained success, and Alabama football recruiting remains one of the strongest operations in the sport. The 2026 signing class ranked among the top classes nationally across every major recruiting service, and it leans heavily on in-state talent alongside a handful of high-profile out-of-state additions.
| Recruiting Service | National Rank | SEC Rank | 5-Star Signees | 4-Star Signees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| On3 Recruits | No. 4 | No. 1 | 3 | 11 |
| Rivals | No. 4 | No. 1 | 3 | 11 |
| 247Sports | No. 2 | No. 2 | 4 | 10 |
Notable 2026 signees include safety Jireh Edwards, running back Ezavier Crowell, outside linebacker Xavier Griffin, and wide receiver Cederian Morgan, all rated four-star or better prospects by multiple services. Alabama football recruiting also leans on the transfer portal to fill immediate roster needs, adding twelve transfers ahead of the 2025 season alone.
Alabama Football News: What’s Happening Right Now
Staying current with Alabama football news means tracking a handful of recurring storylines each offseason and in-season week:
- NFL Draft results: Ten Crimson Tide players were selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, held in Pittsburgh from April 23–25, led by first-round picks Kadyn Proctor and Ty Simpson.
- Coaching continuity: Kalen DeBoer enters year three with his coordinator staff largely intact, a sign of program stability after the 2024 transition from Nick Saban.
- Schedule release: The SEC officially confirmed Alabama’s 2026 opponents and dates in December 2025, giving fans a full year of advance planning.
- Spring evaluation: Spring practices and the annual “A-Day” scrimmage give coaches their first look at how returning players and early enrollees fit the new depth chart.
Because rosters, rankings, and injury reports change weekly during the season, always check the date on any Alabama football news story before treating it as current.
How to Track Every Alabama Football Score and Game
Following an Alabama football score in real time is easier when you know where to look. Official sources update fastest and carry the most reliable stats:
- RollTide.com — the official Alabama Athletics site, with live box scores and post-game recaps
- SEC Sports (secsports.com) — conference-wide standings, schedules, and score tracking
- ESPN and major sports apps — push alerts for live scoring plays during every Alabama football game
For fans who can’t watch live, checking final scores against the official Alabama Athletics recap avoids the confusion of outdated or unofficial score aggregators.
South Alabama Football: A Different Program, Same State
It’s easy to confuse the two, but south Alabama football refers to a separate program: the South Alabama Jaguars, based at the University of South Alabama in Mobile. The Jaguars play in the Sun Belt Conference, a different level of competition than the Crimson Tide’s SEC membership.
Quick facts about South Alabama football:
- Program established in 2009; joined the FBS ranks in 2012
- Conference: Sun Belt Conference
- Home stadium: Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, Alabama
- Head coach: Major Applewhite, entering his third season in 2026
- The program has reached five bowl games, with a 2–3 bowl record
South Alabama football and Alabama football share a state, a color palette, and even a coaching connection — Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kane Wommack once led the Jaguars program himself. But they compete in entirely separate conferences and should never be mistaken for one another when searching for schedules, rosters, or news.
Alabama Football Traditions Every Fan Should Know
Part of what makes Alabama football unique is the culture surrounding game day. A few traditions define the experience:
- The Iron Bowl — the annual rivalry game against Auburn, one of the most intense rivalries in college sports
- “Roll Tide” — the program’s rallying cry, used as both greeting and celebration
- Bryant–Denny Stadium — renamed Saban Field in 2023, seating over 100,000 fans on game day
- The Walk of Champions — a pregame procession where players and coaches walk through a crowd of fans before kickoff
These traditions matter for understanding why Alabama football draws national attention even in seasons without a championship on the line.
How to Watch or Attend an Alabama Football Game
Most Alabama football broadcasts air on ABC, ESPN, or the SEC Network, depending on kickoff slot and opponent strength. Streaming access typically runs through ESPN+ or the relevant network’s TV Everywhere platform.
For fans planning to attend in person, single-game tickets and season packages are managed directly through Alabama Athletics, and the Tide Pride membership program governs season-ticket priority. Away games and the SEC Championship require separate ticket access through the host stadium or the opposing school.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the current Alabama football coach? Kalen DeBoer is the current head coach, entering his third season in 2026 after leading the Crimson Tide to an 11–4 record and an SEC Championship Game appearance in 2025.
What is Alabama’s 2026 football schedule? Alabama opens the 2026 season at home against East Carolina on September 5 and plays a 12-game regular season that includes Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, Texas A&M, and the Iron Bowl against Auburn on November 28.
How did the Alabama football schedule 2025 season end? Alabama finished 11–4, lost the SEC Championship Game to Georgia, won its CFP first-round game against Oklahoma, and lost the Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal to Indiana.
Is south Alabama football the same team as Alabama football? No. South Alabama football is a separate program, the South Alabama Jaguars, playing in the Sun Belt Conference under head coach Major Applewhite, while Alabama football is the Crimson Tide, competing in the SEC.
How strong is Alabama’s 2026 recruiting class? Alabama’s 2026 signing class ranked No. 2 nationally by 247Sports and No. 4 by On3 and Rivals, with multiple five-star and four-star signees across the roster.
Where can I find the latest Alabama football news and scores? Official sources like RollTide.com and SEC Sports offer the most current Alabama football news, scores, and roster updates, since they publish directly from the athletic department and conference office.
Final Word
Alabama football remains one of the most closely watched programs in college sports, and 2026 brings a full slate of marquee matchups, a maturing coaching staff, and a roster rebuilding around new leaders after a heavy NFL Draft class. Bookmark this guide, check back before kickoff each week, and use the official sources linked throughout to confirm any score, roster change, or coaching update before you share it.
Have a specific question about the Crimson Tide’s schedule, roster, or recruiting class? Drop it in the comments, and we’ll keep this guide updated as the season develops.
