2026 SEC Media Days schedule, where to watch: When coaches, teams take stage during four-day kickoff event

The rundown for the unofficial kickoff to SEC football season ahead of fall camp Jul 22, 2026 at 3:40 pm ET • 2 min read Getty Images SEC Media Days serves as college football's unofficial opening ceremony -- a four-day traveling roadshow where coaches, star players, television personalities and reporters descend on one city to shape the sport's biggest narratives before a single snap is played. The 2026 version kicked off on Monday, with Tampa, Florida hosting the event for the first time. Dallas, Nashville and Atlanta have served as hosts for the previous three years.No conference does theater quite like the SEC. Media Days has evolved from a routine preseason obligation into one of the sport's premier annual events, where perception often matters almost as much as production. Before anyone wins a game this fall, the race for headlines begins in Florida. Six new coaches, four years without a title: The biggest questions facing each SEC team at 2026 media days Brandon Marcello Oklahoma's Brent Venables began the festivities on Monday morning. Four coaches will speak in the main room each day. Steve Sarkisian and Texas finish out the week on Thursday afternoon. Several preseason Heisman candidates will also be in attendance, including Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning, Ole Miss star Trinidad Chambliss and Oklahoma's John Mateer. Here's a look at where to watch 2026 SEC Media Days, along with a breakdown of the full appearance schedule ahead of the anticipated event. Where to watch 2026 SEC Media Days Dates: July 20-23Location: Tampa Marriott Water Street + JW Marriott | Tampa, FloridaTV: SEC Network | Live stream: ESPN+2026 SEC Media Days schedule All times EasternThursday, July 23LSU (9:05 a.m.) – Lane Kiffin | TJ Dottery, LB; Trey'Dez Green, TE; Whit Weeks, LB Arkansas (10:30 a.m.) – Ryan Silverfield | Caden Kitler, OL; Quincy Rhodes Jr., DE; Sutton Smith, RBMississippi State (1:30 p.m.) – Jeff Lebby | Anthony Evans III, WR; Kelley Jones, CB; Kamario Taylor, QBTexas (2:55 p.m.) – Steve Sarkisian | Trevor Goosby, OL; Arch Manning, QB; Colin Simmons, DE More from SEC Media DaysUnited front: Brent Venables, new OU AD face the hard SEC questions togetherSix new coaches, four years without a title: Burning questions for each teamAhmad Hardy cleared after shooting: Mizzou star RB's timeline for return remains TBDJohn Mateer learns from 'uncomfortable' 2025: Oklahoma QB eyes offensive resurgenceRight man for the job: 5 reasons why Kentucky will thrive under new coach Will SteinPatience required: Tennessee expects quick fix with Jim Knowles at DC; is it possible?A lot to prove: Does Georgia QB Gunner Stockton have enough weapons around him?Auburn's elite pairing: Alex Golesh confident QB Byrum Brown will thrive in SECThe way back: How Shane Beamer can re-establish momentum at South CarolinaBetter together: Greg Sankey talks SEC breakaway when focus should be fixing NCAALone Star State of Excellence: How Texas, Texas A&M rose to national prominence togetherWhere did Alabama's toughness go?: Kalen DeBoer stresses physicality after CFP wake-up callBrutally honest: Jon Sumrall's no-nonsense approach is already changing FloridaOn the defensive: Pete Golding fires back at tampering critics amid Dabo Swinney claimsDynamic duo: Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss, Kewan Lacy chasing history in 2026