2026 SEC Media Days schedule, where to watch: When coaches, teams take stage

SEC Media Days serves as college football’s unofficial opening ceremony — a four-day traveling roadshow where coaches, star players, television personalities and reporters descend on one city to shape the sport’s biggest narratives before a single snap is played. 

The 2026 version kicked off on Monday, with Tampa, Florida hosting the event for the first time. Dallas, Nashville and Atlanta have served as hosts for the previous three years.

No conference does theater quite like the SEC. Media Days has evolved from a routine preseason obligation into one of the sport’s premier annual events, where perception often matters almost as much as production. Before anyone wins a game this fall, the race for headlines begins in Florida.

Six new coaches, four years without a title: The biggest questions facing each SEC team at 2026 media days

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Oklahoma’s Brent Venables began the festivities on Monday morning. Four coaches will speak in the main room each day. Steve Sarkisian and Texas finish out the week on Thursday afternoon. Several preseason Heisman candidates will also be in attendance, including Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning, Ole Miss star Trinidad Chambliss and Oklahoma’s John Mateer.

Here’s a look at where to watch 2026 SEC Media Days, along with a breakdown of the full appearance schedule ahead of the anticipated event. 

Where to watch 2026 SEC Media Days 

Dates: July 20-23
Location: Tampa Marriott Water Street + JW Marriott | Tampa, Florida
TV: SEC Network | Live stream: ESPN+

2026 SEC Media Days schedule 

All times Eastern

Wednesday, July 22

Alabama (9:05 a.m.) – Kalen DeBoer | Zabien Brown, DB; Ryan Coleman-Williams, WR; Bray Hubbard, DB 

Florida (10:30 a.m.) – Jon Sumrall | Jadan Baugh, RB; Myles Graham, LB; Vernell Brown III, WR

Ole Miss (1:30 p.m.) – Pete Golding | Trinidad Chambliss, QB; Will Echoles, DT; Kewan Lacy, RB

Texas A&M (2:55 p.m.) – Mike Elko | Daymion Sanford, LB; Marcus Ratcliffe, S; Marcel Reed, QB

Thursday, July 23

LSU (9:05 a.m.) – Lane Kiffin | TJ Dottery, LB; Trey’Dez Green, TE; Whit Weeks, LB

Arkansas (10:30 a.m.) – Ryan Silverfield | Caden Kitler, OL; Quincy Rhodes Jr., DE; Sutton Smith, RB

Mississippi State (1:30 p.m.) – Jeff Lebby | Anthony Evans III, WR; Kelley Jones, CB; Kamario Taylor, QB

Texas (2:55 p.m.) – Steve Sarkisian | Trevor Goosby, OL; Arch Manning, QB; Colin Simmons, DE

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