Auburn Announces Format, Details for 2026 Spring Game

Head coach Alex Golesh reveals competitive scoring system and return to traditional game format for annual A-Day event.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:33pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting an Auburn football game, with the iconic Jordan-Hare Stadium in the background and players on the field rendered in a cubist, deconstructed style, capturing the raw energy and intensity of the spring game.A cubist interpretation of the competitive energy and intensity expected at Auburn's 2026 A-Day spring game.Auburn Today

After a month of spring practices, the Auburn Tigers will host their annual A-Day spring game on Saturday at 2 p.m. CDT inside Jordan-Hare Stadium. Head coach Alex Golesh has announced that this year's version will return to a traditional game format with four 15-minute quarters, as opposed to the glorified practice held in 2025. The offense and defense will compete for points based on touchdowns, field goals, first downs, explosive plays, tackles for loss, three-and-outs, and sacks.

Why it matters

Auburn is looking to rebound from five consecutive losing seasons, and the spring game represents an important opportunity for the team and coaching staff to showcase their progress in front of fans. The competitive scoring format is designed to maximize intensity and energy levels, which Golesh has emphasized as a priority after being disappointed with the team's effort in a recent practice.

The details

Unlike last year's A-Day event, which consisted mainly of drills and occasional 11-on-11 periods, the 2026 spring game will be played like a real game with a running clock aside from injury stoppages and the two-minute warning. The offense will wear blue jerseys, while the defense will wear white. Points will be awarded for touchdowns, field goals, first downs, explosive plays for the offense, and tackles for loss, three-and-outs, and sacks for the defense.

  • Auburn began spring practice in mid-March and has held sessions three days per week since March 17.
  • The 2026 A-Day spring game will take place on Saturday, April 19 at 2 p.m. CDT.

The players

Alex Golesh

Head coach of the Auburn Tigers football team, taking over the program after five consecutive losing seasons.

Hugh Freeze

Former head coach of the Auburn Tigers, who transformed the 2025 A-Day event into a glorified practice rather than a traditional spring game.

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What they’re saying

“It's gonna be offense versus defense. We've got some guys beat up, and so splitting the team into two — I don't know if that'll do what we need to get done, which is honestly another practice in terms of just playing football.”

— Alex Golesh, Head Coach

“To split it up would probably be a little bit more fun for these guys in the sense of teams and all of that, but we need another day of offense versus defense. Everybody needs it. The coaches need it, as well.”

— Alex Golesh, Head Coach

“We have a cool scoring format. Offense will get points for touchdowns, field goals, first downs, explosive plays. Defense will get points for tackles for loss, three-and-outs, sacks. So, explosive plays on both sides, and then stops.”

— Alex Golesh, Head Coach

“Cool format, I think it'll be fun. Offense will be blue, defense will be white. We'll play it like a real game. We need it. Our team needs it. Our coaches need it. We all kind of need it. But it'll be uber-competitive.”

— Alex Golesh, Head Coach

“I thought the energy level wasn't where you wanted it to be. And that's what I told these guys after. You get opportunities inside Jordan-Hare, I don't care who's in there. The energy level has got to be at an elite level.”

— Alex Golesh, Head Coach

What’s next

Fans will get their first look at the 2026 Auburn Tigers team during the A-Day spring game on Saturday, April 19 at 2 p.m. CDT. The competitive scoring format and return to a traditional game format should provide an intense and entertaining preview of the upcoming season.

The takeaway

After five straight losing seasons, new Auburn head coach Alex Golesh is looking to reignite the energy and intensity around the program. The 2026 A-Day spring game will be a crucial opportunity for the team to showcase their progress and compete in a high-stakes, game-like environment in front of the passionate Auburn fanbase.