For generations, Thanksgiving has meant three things for many families: food, gratitude, and football. And for the 2026 season, Texas Tech will once again become part of that holiday tradition as the Red Raiders and TCU take center stage in the lone college football game on Thanksgiving night, kicking off at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN. Disney announced the kickoff time and television designation on Tuesday during its annual upfront presentation in New York City.
The Texas Tech game will be the lone college football contest played on Thanksgiving Day, placing Texas Tech in a prime-time showcase to close out the regular season. And for a program striving to establish itself among the Big 12 elite under head coach Joey McGuire, the exposure matters. The matchup could carry significant conference implications as the Red Raiders aim to return to the Big 12 Championship Game for a second straight season. ESPN also announced Tuesday that the conference title game is scheduled for Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC.
The Thanksgiving showcase adds another marquee television slot to Texas Tech’s 2026 schedule. FOX previously announced the Red Raiders’ Sept. 18 Big 12 opener against Houston will also kick at 7 p.m. CT from Jones AT&T Stadium, placing Tech in a Friday night national window.
The game against TCU also carries historical significance, as it marks the first time a Thanksgiving Day opponent has visited Jones AT&T Stadium since 1977, when Arkansas edged Texas Tech 17–14 to close the regular season. But the Red Raiders are no strangers to turkey and football. Texas Tech memorably played Texas on Thanksgiving night in Austin back in 2015, defeating the Longhorns behind a standout performance from Patrick Mahomes, who threw for 372 yards. DeAndre Washington added 173 rushing yards and two touchdowns before a late trick play involving Jakeem Grant helped seal the upset.
The 2026 Thanksgiving Day rivalry itself adds intrigue, as well. The Battle for the Saddle Trophy will mark the 68th all-time meeting between Texas Tech and TCU, with the Red Raiders holding a narrow 33-31-3 edge in the series. Since TCU joined the Big 12 in 2012, Texas Tech is 3-0 in Thursday night matchups against the Horned Frogs.
Momentum around the program also continues to build off the field. Texas Tech announced Monday that it sold out its full allotment of football season tickets for a fourth consecutive season. The sellout season underscores the growing anticipation for the 2026 campaign for the program. Additional kickoff times and TV designations for Texas Tech’s nonconference games against Abilene Christian on Sept. 5 and Oregon State on Sept. 12 are expected later this month. Wreck ‘Em Tech!
This article originally appeared on Red Raiders Wire: Texas Tech football lands Thanksgiving night spotlight vs TCU on ESPN
Reporting by Lauren Beasley, Red Raiders Wire / Red Raiders Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
