Credit: Lens of Athena Photography

University of Texas Football 

Sept. 5-Nov. 21, Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium 

A strong end to 2025 left UT feeling the cheeziest – and with renewed national championship aspirations for 2026. Quarterback Arch Manning and crew open the season at home against Pac-12 newcomer Texas State before hosting top-ranked Ohio State the following week. Ole Miss’ trip highlights a three-game stretch of SEC matchups at DKR during October. Texas wraps up its home schedule against Arkansas on November 21. How far can these talented Longhorns go? That high-profile rematch against the Buckeyes on September 12 will give us an idea. – Derek Udensi

2026 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game

Oct. 31, H-E-B Center at Cedar Park

Austin is set to see a few more hockey masks around town this Halloween. Not because Jason-themed costumes are making a comeback, but because the city is hosting the University of North Dakota’s and Michigan State’s hockey teams for the 2026 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park – the first time the event has ever been held in Texas. With both teams finishing the 2025-26 season ranked in the top five in the nation, Austinites are in for a night full of dirty dangles and cross-checks. – Joe Ellett

Austin FC vs. Portland Timbers

Nov. 7, Q2 Stadium

It’s Decision Day for Major League Soccer, meaning playoff chances all come down to these final matchups of the regular season. When this issue hits stands, the Verde and Black will have almost a dozen games left on the calendar, but have already weathered a rocky year including major staffing changes, meaning playoffs are likely an uphill battle. Will their tenacity take them to the top? Time will tell, but this ATXFC-hosted season closer will certainly be one to watch. – Kat McNevins

Still looking for more things to do this fall? Check out our Events Calendar, updated daily. Want us to know about your own event? Submit it to our online crowdsourced calendar.

This article appears in September 4 • 2026.

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As the Chronicle's Club Listings Editor, Derek compiles a weekly list of music events occurring across town. The University of Texas alum also writes about hip-hop as a contributor to the Music section.

After serving as The Pitch Kansas City's associate editor and cannabis columnist, Joe moved to Austin and joined The Chronicle in 2025 as the assistant news editor. Joe is a 2023 graduate of The University of Missouri School of Journalism and has covered arts and culture, cannabis, K-12 education, and more since he began reporting in 2020.

Kat grew up in Dallas and got to Austin as soon as she could, attending UT and sticking around afterward like so many Austinites. She started at the Chronicle as a proofreader in 2015, and became an events listings editor in 2020, covering community events, film screenings, summer camps, sports, and more.