The 129th Big Game between Cal and Stanford kicks off at 4:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, Nov 21, 2026, at Databricks Field at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley. Cal Athletics announced the kickoff time on Nov 9, and the game will air live on the ACC Network.
The Big Game dates back to 1892, and this year it lands on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, which makes it an easy anchor for a watch party or a tailgate. Below you'll find the full game details, how to watch or listen, the series history in numbers, and a few ideas for getting your crew together.
Big Game 2026 date, kickoff time and location
Here are the confirmed details from Cal Athletics and the 2026 Cal football schedule:
Game: 129th Big Game, Cal vs Stanford
Date: Saturday, Nov 21, 2026
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. PT (7:30 p.m. ET)
Stadium: Databricks Field at California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley
TV: ACC Network
Radio: KNBR 104.5 FM / 680 AM
This is a home game for Cal. The Golden Bears return to Berkeley after a 3-game road stretch, and the Big Game is the first of 2 ACC contests on Cal's home field to close the regular season, according to Cal Athletics.
How to watch the Big Game on TV and radio
The game is on the ACC Network, so check that your TV or streaming package includes that channel before Saturday. If you plan to stream, log in to your provider's app a day early to avoid a scramble at kickoff, and test the screen you'll use for a watch party with a live game the weekend before.
If you're driving or would rather listen, Cal's schedule lists the radio broadcast on KNBR 104.5 FM and 680 AM. Radio is also a good backup for anyone tailgating in Berkeley, since cell service around a full stadium can be spotty.
For the rest of the football weekend, our NFL Week 11 schedule and times post covers Sunday, and our NFL Thanksgiving games guide covers the holiday slate the following week.
Cal vs Stanford series history by the numbers
The rivalry dates back to 1892. Cal Athletics calls it the sixth-longest active series between 2 FBS programs and the second-longest in the West. Stanford holds a 66-51-11 all-time series advantage, while Cal has won 5 of the last 7 meetings, including the 2 most recent home rivalry games. Stanford snapped Cal's 4-game Big Game win streak last season.
Close finishes are part of the tradition. According to Cal Athletics, the Big Game has been decided by a touchdown or less 56 times, and on 5 occasions it was won on the final play, including The Play in 1982, which Cal Athletics calls arguably the most storied play in college football history.
The 2026 edition also comes in a new conference setup. Cal's 2026 schedule announcement notes that this is the first year the ACC uses a 9-game conference schedule, and Cal is 1 of 12 ACC teams facing 9 conference opponents this season.
Cal's schedule around the Big Game
The Big Game sits between 2 other dates worth knowing. Cal plays at Virginia on Saturday, Nov 14, at 12:30 p.m. PT, and closes the regular season at home against Pittsburgh on Saturday, Nov 28, per the official schedule.
That makes Nov 21 the 1 Cal and Stanford football date to plan around before holiday travel starts. If your group includes alumni from both schools, now is a good time to lock in plans and pick a neutral host.
Big Game watch party ideas for Bay Area fans
A 4:30 p.m. kickoff is friendly for a watch party. You can start with an early dinner, keep the food simple through halftime, and still wrap up at a reasonable hour. For mixed Cal and Stanford crowds, a split-color dress code or a friendly prediction board for the final score keeps the rivalry fun without anyone losing money on it.
If you live on the Peninsula or in the South Bay, a Palo Alto or Mountain View living room is a natural middle ground for Stanford fans and Cal alumni who moved south for work. Tribe organizes South Bay Renaissance to rebuild the startup and social scene of the South Bay and Peninsula in person, and its trivia and game nights are an easy way to meet neighbors. Tribe has also hosted casual nights like the N64 Mario Kart Tournament in Palo Alto on Oct 28.
Hosting for a rivalry crowd takes a little planning. Set up 2 viewing spots if your group is large, so fans who want to watch every snap can sit close while others talk in the kitchen. Put the radio broadcast on in the backyard or garage for people who drift outside, and keep a simple scoreboard on a whiteboard so latecomers can catch up at a glance. If kids are coming, a separate space with a board game or a backyard ball keeps the halftime break easy for parents.
A group chat makes the planning easier. Use it to share the ACC Network login situation, assign snacks and post the final-score predictions. If your chat needs a name, our fantasy football group chat names list has plenty that work for college game days, and our NBA Cup 2026 schedule post will help you plan the next watch night.
Watch with your crew
Football is better with people who care as much as you do. Join the NFL Chatter Tribe to talk football all season, from Saturday rivalries to Sunday slates, and follow the Tribe Events calendar on Luma to catch the next in-person game night, dinner or meetup near you.
