STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Tarleton State Football will open its 2026 campaign in a special way, hosting a Saturday night game under the lights at Memorial Stadium, broadcast on a major network.
 
Tarleton State's home opener against Prairie View A&M on Aug. 29 will kick off at 8 p.m. CT in Stephenville and be broadcast on ESPN 2.
 
This is the third straight year that Tarleton State will open its season on ESPN 2, and for the second time in three years in Stephenville. Tarleton State's 2024 opener at Memorial Stadium against McNeese was also on ESPN 2, although that game was a mid-afternoon contest. Last year, the Texans opened on ESPN 2 at Portland State, another mid-afternoon game. This time, the Texans will play under the lights in front of the national audience.
 
The 8 p.m. CT kickoff will be the latest start time for a Tarleton State home game in at least the past 20 years. The Texans last kicked off at 8 p.m. CT or later on Oct. 16, 2021, as the Texans rolled Utah Tech in St. George, Utah, 41-20.
 
The Texans and Panthers will clash for the first time in series history, on the third day of the college football season. They'll play in the only college football game broadcast on ESPN 2 on Aug. 29, according to ESPN's release in announcing its slate of games Weeks 1-3.
 
Tarleton State Football 2026 season tickets are for sale now, starting at just $75. Season tickets can be purchased here.