Where is ESPN's 'College GameDay' for Week 1 of 2026 season?

ESPN's "College GameDay" makes its 2026 season debut in Week 1 after skipping the Week 0 action. GameDay will broadcast live before the Clemson vs. LSU game in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. LSU is starting the Lane Kiffin era and faces a tough opening test against Clemson to open its season.

GameDay starts at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN and runs until noon on Saturday, Sept. 5. In addition to their Week 1 picks, the GameDay crew will announce their national championship picks during the three-hour show.

GameDay has, as it has in recent years, chosen a matchup with a top-tier SEC team. However, for Week 1, it was likely the top Saturday game on a slate spanning Thursday to Monday. Other options included Auburn vs. Baylor, Boise State at Oregon, Washington State at Washington and UCLA at California. Two Sunday games that would have certainly been in contention if played on Saturday include Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame at Lambeau Field and Louisville vs. Ole Miss . Throughout its history, GameDay has rarely deviated from its Saturday morning timeslot.

The show also already announced that it will attend the Ohio State at Texas game in Week 2 and the LSU at Ole Miss game in Week 3.

College GameDay will be live in Baton Rouge ahead of LSU vs. Clemson's Saturday evening showdown. The Week 1 show will be GameDay's 500th road show. The 2026 season marks the 40th season of GameDay.

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