Cal, Stanford Big Game Kicks Off at 4:30 p.m.
The 129th Big Game will be televised on the ACC Network as part of a tripleheader on November 21.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Football
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The ACC has set the November 21 kickoff for the Cal-Stanford Big Game at 4:30 p.m. Pacific time at Cal, with the game airing on the ACC Network. It is the 129th meeting between the two schools.
Why it matters
The start time places the Big Game in a prime window for the ACC Network's tripleheader that day. For both programs, the matchup carries significant weight as each team works through its remaining schedule.
The 129th meeting arrives with Cal at 3-6 and Stanford at 4-5, and Stanford must win at least two of its last three games to reach a bowl game. Both programs are led by first-time head coaches, Tosh Lupoi at Cal and Tavita Pritchard at Stanford.
The players
Tosh Lupoi
Lupoi is Cal's first-time head coach, named following the 2025 season after Justin Wilcox was fired the day after last year's game.
Tavita Pritchard
Pritchard is Stanford's first-time head coach, named for the 2026 season.
The details
The game is scheduled for Berkeley, California, with a projected finish of about 8 p.m. Cal hosts Pitt on November 28 and Stanford hosts SMU that same day, while both teams play road games on November 14.
Timeline
- November 9, 2026: ACC announces the 4:30 p.m. Pacific kickoff.
- November 14, 2026: Cal plays at Virginia and Stanford plays at Virginia Tech.
- November 21, 2026: Cal-Stanford Big Game kicks off at 4:30 p.m. Pacific.
Season Trajectory
Stanford won last year's Big Game 31-10, and this November 21 meeting arrives with both programs under first-time head coaches. The result will shape how each team finishes a season that has so far been defined by coaching transitions.
Fans planning to attend or watch should note the 4:30 p.m. Pacific kickoff, which runs into the evening and carries the ACC Network broadcast. Stanford's bowl chances depend on winning at least two of its final three games, so the outcome affects postseason planning.
The takeaway
The start time and broadcast window make November 21 a key date for Cal and Stanford fans, and both programs' remaining schedules will shape the rest of their seasons.
What happens next
The Big Game kicks off November 21 at 4:30 p.m. Pacific, and Cal hosts Pitt on November 28.
Further reading
Follow more coverage in the Football section for context on Cal's and Stanford's seasons.
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