Texas vs. Arkansas 2026: Kickoff Time, TV Channel & Preview
One of the oldest rivalries in the sport, dating to 1894, and one the SEC thought important enough to protect as an annual fixture.
Texas hosts Arkansas on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, in an afternoon window of 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. CT, with the network still to be confirmed. It is the final home game of the season and the last stop before the finale in College Station.
Quick Facts
| Matchup | Arkansas Razorbacks at Texas Longhorns |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, November 21, 2026 |
| Kickoff | Afternoon start: 2:30–3:30 p.m. CT |
| Venue | Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin |
| TV | Network not yet assigned |
| All-time series | Texas leads 58-23 |
| Last meeting | Nov. 22, 2025 — Texas 52, Arkansas 37 (Austin) |
| Series began | 1894 |
| Status | Protected annual SEC rivalry |
Why This Texas Football Game Matters
When the SEC decided which fixtures Texas would play every single year, it picked three: Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Arkansas. The first two are obvious. The third is a recognition of what the Southwest Conference built across most of a century, before Arkansas left for the SEC in 1991 and the annual meeting quietly stopped.
The rivalry's defining moment came in December 1969, when No. 1 Texas beat No. 2 Arkansas 15-14 in Fayetteville with the President in attendance. Texas went on to win the national championship, one of the four covered on our Texas football history page. Fifty-seven years later the fixture is back on the calendar permanently.
Practically, this is the last home game of 2026 and the week before the season finale at Texas A&M. For a team still working out its playoff position in late November, it is the kind of game that decides seasons quietly rather than dramatically.
Recent Meetings
Texas leads the all-time series 58-23, but Arkansas held a 4-2 edge in the occasional meetings between 1991 and 2021. The Longhorns have taken both games since joining the SEC.
| Year | Result | Site |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Arkansas 40, Texas 21 | Fayetteville |
| 2024 | Texas 20, Arkansas 10 | Fayetteville |
| 2025 | Texas 52, Arkansas 37 | Austin |
The 2021 result in Fayetteville, a 40-21 Arkansas win over a ranked Texas team, was the low point of Sarkisian's first season and is still cited by Razorbacks supporters. The two meetings since have gone the other way — a controlled 20-10 win in Fayetteville in 2024, then a 52-37 shootout in Austin last November.
That 2025 game produced the most points Texas has scored in a conference fixture since joining the league, with Arch Manning delivering the best performance of his season to that point.
Key Matchups
A rivalry the SEC decided to protect
Arkansas is one of three opponents Texas is guaranteed to play every year, alongside Oklahoma and Texas A&M. The conference recognised what the Southwest Conference built over nearly a century.
Points on the board
Last year's meeting finished 52-37, the most points Texas has scored in a conference game since joining the SEC. Recent editions have not been defensive occasions.
The week before the Aggies
This sits directly before the season finale at Texas A&M. It is the last home game of the year and, for a Texas team still chasing a playoff place, a result that cannot be given away while looking ahead.
Senior day at DKR
As the final home fixture of the regular season, this doubles as the last appearance in Austin for the outgoing class. Those afternoons tend to carry more emotional weight than the matchup itself suggests.
Prediction
No line posted at this range. Texas should open a solid home favourite, with the number depending on where both sides sit after eleven games.
Texas by two scores
Home field in the final game at DKR, plus a recent record that has swung clearly back toward Texas. The warning sign is the scoreline from last year — 52-37 is not a comfortable defensive performance, and Arkansas has shown it can put points on this team. Expect a Texas win in a game that stays interesting longer than it should.
Odds move all week. Check a current sportsbook before kickoff. Please gamble responsibly. Nothing on this page is betting advice.
How to Watch and What to Know
The afternoon window is set at 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. CT; the network is unassigned, with confirmation expected around six days out. Late November in Austin can be cold by local standards even for a mid-afternoon kickoff.
As the last home game of the season this typically draws a strong crowd, and the outgoing class is recognised before kickoff. Tickets are usually more attainable than the marquee dates earlier in the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Texas vs. Arkansas in 2026?
+
Saturday, November 21, 2026, at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin. The SEC has set an afternoon window of 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. CT.
What channel is Texas vs. Arkansas on?
+
Not yet assigned. Expect ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 or SEC Network, with the network confirmed about six days beforehand.
Who leads the all-time series?
+
Texas leads 58-23. The series began in 1894 and was an annual Southwest Conference fixture until Arkansas left for the SEC in 1991.
What happened the last time they played?
+
Texas won 52-37 in Austin on November 22, 2025. It was the most points the Longhorns had scored in a conference game since joining the SEC.
Is Arkansas a protected rival for Texas?
+
Yes. Under the SEC's scheduling format, Texas plays Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Arkansas every season regardless of the wider rotation.
How did Arkansas do against Texas before the SEC era?
+
The Razorbacks dominated the recent stretch before the reunion. From 1991 onwards Arkansas held a 4-2 edge in occasional meetings, including a win over a ranked Texas side in Fayetteville in 2021. Texas has taken the two meetings since joining the league.
What is the history behind this rivalry?
+
It was one of the defining fixtures of the Southwest Conference. The 1969 meeting, known as the Big Shootout, was a No. 1 against No. 2 game that Texas won 15-14 on the way to a national championship.
Who does Texas play after Arkansas?
+
Texas A&M away on Friday, November 27, in the regular-season finale.
Is this the last home game of the season?
+
Yes. Arkansas closes the 2026 home schedule at DKR, with the season finishing on the road in College Station.
How do I get tickets?
+
Through the official Texas ticket partner or verified resale. As the final home game of the year it usually draws well, though prices sit below the Ohio State and Texas A&M level.