Ole Miss to Open 2026 Season Against Louisville in Nashville

Ole Miss announced Wednesday that the Rebels will begin the 2026 football season with a neutral site game against Louisville at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, scheduled for Labor Day weekend on either September 5 or September 6. The announcement came on December 10, and officials said the exact date, kickoff time and television network would be finalized at a later date.

The program framed the game as a marquee opener. Ole Miss Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter said the program is "thrilled to open next season with a premier matchup in a destination city like Nashville." The matchup represents just the second meeting between the Rebels and the Cardinals. Their previous contest came in the 2021 Chick fil A Kickoff Game, a 43 to 24 Ole Miss victory.

Nissan Stadium is a familiar venue for the program. Ole Miss has played there several times, including a 2013 Music City Bowl win over Georgia Tech, a 2014 win over Vanderbilt and a 2000 Music City Bowl loss to West Virginia. The school also noted that the complete 2026 Ole Miss schedule would be announced on the SEC Network the following evening.

For Lafayette County residents the announcement will sharpen attention on travel plans, ticket procurement and hotel availability. Oxford alum and local fans who traditionally travel to early season neutral site games can expect demand to rise as the exact date and television arrangements are set. Local businesses that depend on game day spending often see increased activity around kickoff events and alumni gatherings, and a Labor Day weekend date has the potential to extend that demand into a holiday travel period.

Beyond short term economic effects, a high profile season opener matters for recruiting and national exposure. Neutral site kickoff games carry television and media attention that can elevate program visibility across the region. For now residents should watch for the full schedule release on the SEC Network, which will confirm the final date and broadcast plans and trigger ticket sales and travel planning.