University of Tennessee Athletics
ESPN Programming, College GameDay Descend On Rocky Top For SEC Opener
September 23, 2026 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – All eyes will be on Rocky Top this weekend with ESPN and ABC programming scheduled surrounding No. 14/13 Tennessee's SEC-opening showdown against top-ranked Texas in Neyland Stadium.
On Friday, fans are encouraged to attend the Bussin' & Pate On-Campus show at Ayres Hall from 2-3 p.m. ET on ESPN. It is hosted by college football personality Josh Pate and former NFL and college standouts Taylor Lewan and Will Compton of the popular Bussin' With The Boys podcast.
Following the show, ESPN's College Football Live will air from the set at Ayres Hall from 3:30-4 p.m. featuring Jen Lada, 'Stanford Steve' Coughlin, Desmond Howard and Pete Thamel.
Friday programming begins with The Pat McAfee Show from noon-3 p.m. inside Neyland Stadium. The first two hours of the show airs on ESPN, while the 2-3 p.m. portion is on YouTube. Neyland Stadium is closed to fans on Friday.
As fans prepare for Saturday, a reminder that overnight camping is not permitted on campus. The Hill will open at 5 a.m. followed by the pit at Ayres Hall at 6:30 a.m.
Harry Douglas and Harry Lyles Jr. return as co-hosts of ESPN's social and digital pre-pregame show, Countdown to GameDay, with Jess Sims joining the duo as a co-host, reporting live. The show is available at 8:20 a.m. across ESPN on YouTube, Facebook and the ESPN App.
For the 13th time, Tennessee hosts ESPN College GameDay at 9 a.m. on ESPNU, ESPNU, Disney+ and the ESPN App. The first two hours of the show will originate from the lawn of Ayres Hall. From 11 a.m.-noon, the show will air from Shields-Watkins Field inside Neyland Stadium.
Pat McAfee's "Kicking Is Easy" contest, a fan-favorite segment, returns to College GameDay for its fourth season. The show will also feature a powerful story on Tennessee linebacker Edwin Spillman by Marty Smith. Spillman, along with his brothers, made their way to the United States from Sierra Leone.
Rece Davis is at the helm of ESPN College GameDay for his 12th season. He's joined at the desk by GameDay analysts Kirk Herbstreit, Howard, McAfee and Nick Saban. Thamel, Coughlin, Lada and Sims round out the cast.
Following GameDay, Herbstreit will join Chris Fowler and Holly Rowe as part of ABC's lead game team to call the SEC showdown inside a Checker Neyland Stadium.
Neyland Stadium is sold out for the 30th straight game with Checker Neyland presented by Pilot taking center stage. Orange and white sections have swapped from previous Checker Neyland contests. To find out if your seat section is orange or white, go to CheckerNeyland.com and enter your section/row/seat number as it appears on your digital ticket.
ESPN College GameDay FAQ
How do I get selected to stand in the pit during the live broadcast?
Students and fans have the opportunity for up-close view of the show by standing in the pit immediately adjacent to the stage. The pit opens at 6:30 a.m. Selection is on a first-come, first-serve basis for all fans. Students admitted to the pit are encouraged to wear school colors and should have a numbered wristband. Participants are subject to ESPN security procedures and policies.
What is the ESPN policy for pit participants?
The following items are prohibited in the pit: bags (of any kind), food and drinks, pens, pencils, markers or dry erase boards and signs on sticks. Throwing objects is strictly prohibited in the pit. A number of sign regulations are required as well.
What are the College GameDay sign regulations?
One of the most beloved traditions associated with College GameDay is the making of signs. No vulgar signs, .com, .net, .org, political or religious signs are allowed. For fans entering the pit, signs cannot be on poles or oversized. All signs brought to Saturday's taping will be inspected before entry and must abide by College GameDay's sign policies or will be removed.
Do I need ID?
You will need physical ID to participate in Pat McAfee's Kicking Is Easy Contest.
ESPN/ABC Programming on Campus
Friday, Sept. 25
12-2 p.m. – The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN inside Neyland Stadium (closed)
2-3 p.m. – Bussin' & Pate On Campus on ESPN from Ayres Hall
3:30-4 p.m. – College Football Live on ESPN from Ayres Hall
Saturday, Sept. 26
5 a.m. – The Hill opens (no overnight camping)
6:30 a.m. – The Pit opens
8:20 a.m. – Countdown To College GameDay live on ESPN CFB YouTube
9-11 a.m. – ESPN College GameDay live from Ayres Hall
11 a.m.- noon – ESPN College GameDay live from inside Neyland Stadium
noon – ABC broadcast: #1/1 Texas at #14/13 Tennessee
On Friday, fans are encouraged to attend the Bussin' & Pate On-Campus show at Ayres Hall from 2-3 p.m. ET on ESPN. It is hosted by college football personality Josh Pate and former NFL and college standouts Taylor Lewan and Will Compton of the popular Bussin' With The Boys podcast.
Following the show, ESPN's College Football Live will air from the set at Ayres Hall from 3:30-4 p.m. featuring Jen Lada, 'Stanford Steve' Coughlin, Desmond Howard and Pete Thamel.
Friday programming begins with The Pat McAfee Show from noon-3 p.m. inside Neyland Stadium. The first two hours of the show airs on ESPN, while the 2-3 p.m. portion is on YouTube. Neyland Stadium is closed to fans on Friday.
As fans prepare for Saturday, a reminder that overnight camping is not permitted on campus. The Hill will open at 5 a.m. followed by the pit at Ayres Hall at 6:30 a.m.
Harry Douglas and Harry Lyles Jr. return as co-hosts of ESPN's social and digital pre-pregame show, Countdown to GameDay, with Jess Sims joining the duo as a co-host, reporting live. The show is available at 8:20 a.m. across ESPN on YouTube, Facebook and the ESPN App.
For the 13th time, Tennessee hosts ESPN College GameDay at 9 a.m. on ESPNU, ESPNU, Disney+ and the ESPN App. The first two hours of the show will originate from the lawn of Ayres Hall. From 11 a.m.-noon, the show will air from Shields-Watkins Field inside Neyland Stadium.
Pat McAfee's "Kicking Is Easy" contest, a fan-favorite segment, returns to College GameDay for its fourth season. The show will also feature a powerful story on Tennessee linebacker Edwin Spillman by Marty Smith. Spillman, along with his brothers, made their way to the United States from Sierra Leone.
Rece Davis is at the helm of ESPN College GameDay for his 12th season. He's joined at the desk by GameDay analysts Kirk Herbstreit, Howard, McAfee and Nick Saban. Thamel, Coughlin, Lada and Sims round out the cast.
Following GameDay, Herbstreit will join Chris Fowler and Holly Rowe as part of ABC's lead game team to call the SEC showdown inside a Checker Neyland Stadium.
Neyland Stadium is sold out for the 30th straight game with Checker Neyland presented by Pilot taking center stage. Orange and white sections have swapped from previous Checker Neyland contests. To find out if your seat section is orange or white, go to CheckerNeyland.com and enter your section/row/seat number as it appears on your digital ticket.
ESPN College GameDay FAQ
How do I get selected to stand in the pit during the live broadcast?
Students and fans have the opportunity for up-close view of the show by standing in the pit immediately adjacent to the stage. The pit opens at 6:30 a.m. Selection is on a first-come, first-serve basis for all fans. Students admitted to the pit are encouraged to wear school colors and should have a numbered wristband. Participants are subject to ESPN security procedures and policies.
What is the ESPN policy for pit participants?
The following items are prohibited in the pit: bags (of any kind), food and drinks, pens, pencils, markers or dry erase boards and signs on sticks. Throwing objects is strictly prohibited in the pit. A number of sign regulations are required as well.
What are the College GameDay sign regulations?
One of the most beloved traditions associated with College GameDay is the making of signs. No vulgar signs, .com, .net, .org, political or religious signs are allowed. For fans entering the pit, signs cannot be on poles or oversized. All signs brought to Saturday's taping will be inspected before entry and must abide by College GameDay's sign policies or will be removed.
Do I need ID?
You will need physical ID to participate in Pat McAfee's Kicking Is Easy Contest.
ESPN/ABC Programming on Campus
Friday, Sept. 25
12-2 p.m. – The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN inside Neyland Stadium (closed)
2-3 p.m. – Bussin' & Pate On Campus on ESPN from Ayres Hall
3:30-4 p.m. – College Football Live on ESPN from Ayres Hall
Saturday, Sept. 26
5 a.m. – The Hill opens (no overnight camping)
6:30 a.m. – The Pit opens
8:20 a.m. – Countdown To College GameDay live on ESPN CFB YouTube
9-11 a.m. – ESPN College GameDay live from Ayres Hall
11 a.m.- noon – ESPN College GameDay live from inside Neyland Stadium
noon – ABC broadcast: #1/1 Texas at #14/13 Tennessee
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