SEC Media Days shifts to Tampa for 2026 season kickoff
The Southeastern Conference’s annual media event returns from July 20 to 23, with live coverage on SEC Network and ESPN+ setting the stage for the college football season.
The Southeastern Conference has confirmed that the 2026 SEC Media Days will take place from July 20 to 23 in Tampa, Florida. The four-day event, which serves as the unofficial start of the college football season, will be hosted at the Tampa Marriott Water Street and JW Marriott. This marks the first time the conference’s annual roadshow has been held in Tampa, following previous iterations in Dallas, Nashville, and Atlanta.
The event functions as a critical narrative-building exercise for the sport, bringing together coaches, players, and media personnel before the first snap of the 2026 season. While the SEC has not yet released specific start times for individual coach appearances, the conference has committed to continuous live coverage. Broadcasts will air on SEC Network and stream on ESPN+ daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time.
Kentucky head coach Will Stein, in his first year with the programme, is scheduled to address the media on Monday morning. He will be one of four coaches to speak in the main room on the opening day. The week will conclude on Thursday afternoon with Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, who is set to deliver the final remarks of the media days.
A significant number of players are also expected to participate, including several preseason Heisman Trophy candidates. Notable attendees include Texas quarterback Arch Manning, Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, and Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer. The conference has released detailed schedules for all 18 member institutions, outlining which coaches and players will appear on stage throughout the week.
Other head coaches confirmed for appearances include Eli Drinkwitz of Missouri, Brent Venables of Oklahoma, Josh Heupel of Tennessee, Alex Golesh of Auburn, Kirby Smart of Georgia, Shane Beamer of South Carolina, Clark Lea of Vanderbilt, Kalen DeBoer of Alabama, Jon Sumrall of Florida, Pete Golding of Ole Miss, Mike Elko of Texas A&M, Ryan Silverfield of Arkansas, Lane Kiffin of LSU, and Jeff Lebby of Mississippi State. The event precedes the start of fall camp for all member schools.
