The Apple Cup hasn't been the same since the Pac-12 fell apart at the seams. However, the two universities have (so far) been committed to making the game still happen even if it has to happen at the beginning of the season rather than the end. Since it's a non-conference game now, it's typically stuck within the first few weeks of the season. In 2026, it's the very first game of the season, and now the Huskies and Cougars have received great news about the kickoff time.
It won't be on a Thursday night or Friday night, but it also won't be on a Saturday. It's getting a standalone spot on Sunday, September 6th. The game will kick off at 1 pm on NBC and be part of a doubleheader with Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame on the network. This is huge news for the two Washington schools, which will now have millions of eyes on them in week 1 of the season.
Washington & WSU get a standalone slot at 1PM on NBC on Sunday, September 6th.
— WestCoastCFB (@WestCoastCFB) May 27, 2026
Should draw a lot of viewers. https://t.co/yxpNwOjOp5
The Apple Cup gets an ideal time, date, and network for 2026
Related: 3 intriguing recruits visiting the Huskies on the first major official visit weekend
Last season, the Apple Cup took place in the third week of the season, in Pullman, at 4:30 pm on CBS, in competition with a dozen or more games at the same time. The move to a Sunday standalone game may be a cash grab for NBC, but it's ideal for both the Cougars and Huskies, who will have millions of viewers now. There will be no competing games, billed as a rivalry (because it's a historic one), and put on a main channel, and football fans from across the country will tune in.
This season, the game will be played at Husky Stadium and will be the kickoff to the season for both programs. As of now, Washington has the clear odds advantage according to ESPN, with a 21.5 favorite line.
If there is a downside, it's that the Seattle Mariners are currently scheduled to play at basically the same time (1:10 pm) in SoDo. This will cause some congestion around the city and on the light rail/bus lines. Some could even argue that it's Labor Day weekend, but this game was scheduled on Labor Day weekend months ago, along with hundreds of other college football games, so that was inevitable; might as well make it a standalone game on a main channel.
Add us as a preferred source on Google