Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech unveils game themes for 2026 season
June 18, 2026 | Football
The Red Raiders will host Arizona State as its Homecoming opponent for the first time on Oct. 17
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech will open the 2026 season with a Big 12 Championship celebration as part of its game theme schedule that was announced Thursday by the athletics department.
The Big 12 Championship celebration is one of several game themes for the 2026 season, which includes the return of the annual Agriculture Game, the Celebrate America Game and Homecoming festivities. Below is information on Texas Tech's other game themes for the 2026 season.
Sept. 26 vs. Sam Houston State – Agriculture Game:  The Agriculture Game promotion is part of a partnership between the athletics department and the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and National Resources, highlighting the crops, livestock and technologies that are prominent to Texas Tech and the South Plains. Representatives ranging from the agriculture industry to the university's nationally prominent judging teams will be among those honored throughout the game.
The Sam Houston State game will have no shortage of activities as Texas Tech will also host its annual Parents Weekend on campus as well as its Hall of Fame banquet for the 2026 class. Texas Tech will announce its 2026 Hall of Fame class in the coming weeks.
Oct. 17 vs. Arizona State – Homecoming: The Sun Devils will serve as Texas Tech's Homecoming opponent for the first time in one of the most highly-anticipated matchups of the season. A full listing of Homecoming events will be announced in the weeks leading into the game. The Red Raiders will also host their Raider Power and Celebrate Energy promotion that weekend, recognizing Texas Tech's energy partners for a third-consecutive year.
Oct. 31 vs. Arizona – Red Raider Club Appreciation Game: Texas Tech's success on the field stems from the impact so many Red Raider Club members provide on a day-to-day basis. The Arizona game will be an opportunity to thank those same members with in-game recognitions and special events from the Red Raider Club throughout the weekend.
Nov. 7 vs. West Virginia – Celebrate America Game: Texas Tech will continue its longstanding tradition of honoring the brave heroes who have fought for our country with its Celebrate America Game. Texas Tech will recognize each branch of the military and its campus military and veterans' programs throughout the game.
Nov. 26 vs. TCU – Senior Day: Thanksgiving Day will be extra special this year with turkey and the Red Raider senior class. Texas Tech will honor its senior class prior to kickoff with an on-field ceremony featuring head coach Joey McGuire, his wife Debbie and the families of each Red Raider senior.
Texas Tech already knows three of its home game times for this season as the Red Raiders will have a 6 p.m. kick in the opener versus Abilene Christian and then a 7 p.m. start against both Houston on Sept. 18 and then TCU in the regular-season finale. Additional game times and television designations will be announced on either a 12-day or 6-day basis as part of the Big 12's television agreement with partners ESPN, FOX and TNT.
Single-game tickets for each of Texas Tech's seven home dates are still on sale and can be purchased online at TexasTech.com or by calling 806-742-TECH during normal business hours.
