LSU Fans Are Going to Hate the Start Times for These Two Games
Louisiana [KNGT-FM] - Two words every LSU football fan hates to hear are “early game,” especially when that game is taking place in Baton Rouge. Why? Because one of the best parts of going to an LSU game is the tailgating that happens before kickoff.
One of the best tailgate scenes in the country takes place at every home game on the campus of LSU. Fans arrive at their tailgate spots early, set everything up, and spend hours enjoying food, drinks, music, and time with friends and family. That tradition has become a huge part of the LSU football experience, especially because many Tigers home games are played at night.
Unfortunately, that will not be the case on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
The Tigers are set to take on Mississippi State in Baton Rouge, and the kickoff time has officially been announced. Unfortunately for LSU fans who love their Saturday tailgates, it is an early one. The game is scheduled for an 11:00 a.m. kickoff.
The television network has not yet been announced, but the game is expected to air on either ABC or ESPN.
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LSU football fans everywhere may be taking a collective sigh and saying, “Yuck!”
It is not often that LSU plays a home game this early, and there are several reasons why fans may not be thrilled about it.
Why LSU Fans Hate Early Games In Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- First, an 11:00 a.m. kickoff significantly cuts into the traditional tailgating experience. There simply is not much time to get everything set up and enjoy the atmosphere before heading into Tiger Stadium.
- Second, there is just something special about a Saturday night at Tiger Stadium. The atmosphere, the lights, the crowd, and the entire game-day experience are a huge part of what makes LSU football so unique.
- And third, it can get hot very quickly in South Louisiana. An early afternoon game can make for a much warmer experience inside an open-air stadium, particularly for fans sitting in the sun.
Tiger fans are not going to like this either, because the very next week they are going to have to deal with another early start. On Saturday, October 24, 2026, LSU travels to Alabama to take on Auburn. That game is also scheduled for an 11:00 a.m. kickoff.
The television network for that game has not yet been announced either, although it is expected to be televised on ABC or ESPN.
The Tigers are scheduled to have two straight games with 11:00 a.m. kickoff times, meaning those alarm clocks are going to be getting a workout. Whether you're planning to tailgate in Baton Rouge or make the trip for the next game, these two Saturdays are going to look a whole lot different than the traditional LSU night-game experience.
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Gallery Credit: Chaston Tavares