SEC Media Days 2026 Schedule Announced, Event Moves to Tampa

The annual college football media event will take place over four days in July.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 5:06pm

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A cubist, geometric illustration depicting a fragmented college football stadium and players on the field, with vibrant colors representing SEC team uniforms and logos.The SEC's decision to move its annual media days event to Tampa in 2026 signals the conference's desire to expand its reach and engage new fan bases across the Southeast.Today in Tampa

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has released the speaking schedule for its annual SEC Media Days event, which will be held from July 20-23, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. This marks the first time the event has been hosted outside of its traditional location in Hoover, Alabama. Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea and Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel are among the coaches slated to speak at the event.

Why it matters

SEC Media Days is one of the most anticipated events on the college football calendar, drawing thousands of media members and fans to hear from the league's top coaches and players. The decision to move the event to Tampa represents a shift in the SEC's strategy, as the conference looks to expand its reach and engage new markets.

The details

The four-day event will feature press conferences and interviews with all 14 SEC head coaches, as well as select players from each team. Vanderbilt's Clark Lea and Tennessee's Josh Heupel are scheduled to take the stage on July 21st. The event has traditionally been held in Hoover, Alabama, but the SEC has decided to rotate the location, with Tampa serving as the host city for 2026.

  • SEC Media Days 2026 will be held from July 20-23.
  • Vanderbilt's Clark Lea and Tennessee's Josh Heupel are scheduled to speak on July 21.

The players

Clark Lea

The head football coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Josh Heupel

The head football coach of the Tennessee Volunteers.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to bring SEC Media Days to Tampa in 2026. This move will allow us to engage new audiences and showcase the best of SEC football to a national audience.”

— Greg Sankey, SEC Commissioner

What’s next

The full list of coaches and players scheduled to appear at SEC Media Days 2026 will be announced in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The decision to move SEC Media Days to Tampa reflects the SEC's desire to expand its reach and connect with new fan bases across the Southeast. This change in venue could signal further shifts in the conference's strategy as it looks to grow its brand and influence in the years ahead.