JUST IN: Nebraska Cancels Home-and-Home Series with Tennessee Volunteers in 2026-27, but Announces Quick Rebound with Rescheduled Games.
Lincoln, Nebraska — In an unexpected turn of events, Nebraska has canceled its highly anticipated home-and-home football series with the Tennessee Volunteers, initially scheduled for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. However, Nebraska officials quickly reassured fans and the football community that the games will indeed be played, just not on the originally planned timeline.
The original agreement, which had fans on both sides eagerly awaiting a clash between two powerhouse programs, was announced to much fanfare earlier. But due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts and logistical hurdles, the Cornhuskers and Volunteers found themselves at an impasse in terms of honoring the agreed-upon dates.
Tennessee athletic director Danny White expressed disappointment over the situation, but echoed Nebraska’s sentiments that both schools are committed to making the games happen. “While we wish these contests could have been kept as originally scheduled, both programs are aligned in our desire to see this matchup play out in the near future,” White said.
Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts, in a joint statement with Tennessee’s White, outlined plans to reschedule the games in a way that ensures the series will still be played in the near future. “We have worked with Tennessee to find a suitable window to ensure these games happen. It’s a matchup that means a lot to both programs, and we remain committed to making it work.”
The canceled series had been scheduled for Lincoln in 2026 and Knoxville in 2027, a pairing that drew considerable interest given both teams’ storied histories in college football. Nebraska has been rebuilding in recent years, while Tennessee is on the rise, having shown impressive form under head coach Josh Heupel.
Both schools are now focused on rescheduling the games, with reports indicating that discussions are already underway for alternate dates in the following seasons. The new schedule is expected to include home-and-home games, but likely in 2028 and 2029 instead of the original 2026-27 dates.
While the cancellation has disappointed many fans, the silver lining is that these two iconic teams will still square off — just a few years later than initially expected.
Nebraska and Tennessee have a rich football history and the opportunity to play each other will certainly be a significant event for college football fans in both states. Nebraska fans, particularly, are eager for any sign of a return to national relevance, while Tennessee supporters are anticipating a showcase of the Volunteers’ potential on the national stage.
As the rescheduled games approach, fans from both schools will remain hopeful for an exciting, high-stakes clash when these teams finally meet on the gridiron.
