Louisville Football to Open 2026 Season Against Ole Miss in Nashville

The Cardinals will face the Rebels in the inaugural Music City Kickoff game on September 6, 2026.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The University of Louisville football team will open its 2026 season against the University of Mississippi in the inaugural Music City Kickoff game in Nashville. The game is scheduled for Sunday, September 6, 2026, with kickoff set for 7:30 PM ET and will be broadcast nationally on ABC.

Why it matters

This matchup presents a high-profile season opener for Louisville against a strong SEC opponent in Ole Miss. It also gives the Cardinals a chance to showcase their program on a national stage in the new Music City Kickoff event in Nashville, which has a strong Cardinals fan presence.

The details

Louisville and Ole Miss will meet for the second time in program history in this season-opening clash. The Cardinals are coming off a 9-win season in 2025 under head coach Jeff Brohm, while Ole Miss will have a new head coach in Pete Golding after a 13-2 campaign that included a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance.

  • The game will be played on Sunday, September 6, 2026.
  • Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM ET.

The players

Jeff Brohm

The head coach of the University of Louisville football team.

Josh Heird

The Vice President and Director of Athletics at the University of Louisville.

Pete Golding

The new head coach of the University of Mississippi football team.

Trinidad Chambliss

The returning starting quarterback for the University of Mississippi, who is a Heisman Trophy candidate.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to partner with Ole Miss, ESPN, and the Nashville Sports Council to bring this season-opening matchup to Nashville. This game presents a tremendous opportunity for our program, our student-athletes, and our fans. Nashville is home to a strong and passionate Cardinals presence, and the chance to showcase Louisville Football in a premier venue against elite competition on a national stage is one we fully embrace.”

— Josh Heird, University of Louisville Vice President and Director of Athletics (on3.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This high-profile season opener against Ole Miss in Nashville's new Music City Kickoff event represents an exciting opportunity for the Louisville football program to showcase its talent on a national stage and continue building momentum after recent successful seasons.