Spring football season is arriving in the Western United States, offering fans and analysts a first glimpse at roster evolutions following a volatile period of recruiting and transfer portal activity. These intrasquad games and showcases serve as the primary window for the public to evaluate new players and unit cohesion before the official fall campaign begins.
The regional slate of events is extensive, featuring a mix of powerhouse programs and emerging contenders. From the mountains of Montana to the coast of California, the schedule provides a comprehensive gaze at how teams are shaping their depth charts. For those tracking the schedule of known spring football games in the West, the window of activity opens on April 10 and concludes on May 2.
These events are more than just scrimmages; they are critical evaluative tools for coaching staffs to determine starting lineups and identify standout talent in live-action settings. Because these games often feature different formats—ranging from full-contact scrimmages to non-contact showcases—fans should verify specific event details via official athletic department channels.
Regional Spring Game Calendar: April and May 2026
The following list details the known dates and times for spring football activities across the Western region. All listed times are in Pacific Time (PT).
Friday, April 10
- Montana: 5:00 pm
- Nevada: 6:00 pm
Saturday, April 11
- USC (Fan Fest – no game): 9:00 am
- Colorado State: 9:30 am (approximate)
- Colorado: Noon
- Idaho State: 1:00 pm
- Stanford: 2:00 pm
Saturday, April 18
- UC Davis: 10:15 am
- Utah State: 11:00 am
- Cal: 1:00 pm
- San Jose State: 1:00 pm
Saturday, April 25
- UNLV: 11:00 am
- Montana State: Noon
- New Mexico: Noon
- Oregon State: Noon
- Boise State: 12:30 pm
- Oregon: 1:00 pm
- Sacramento State: 3:00 pm
- Arizona: 4:30 pm
- Fresno State: TBA
- WSU: TBA
- Wyoming: TBA
Friday, May 1
- Eastern Washington: 5:00 pm
- Idaho: 6:00 pm
- Washington: 6:30 pm
Saturday, May 2
- UCLA: Noon
- San Diego State: 1:00 pm
Programs Without Scheduled Spring Showcases
Not every program in the region utilizes a public spring game or showcase to evaluate their rosters. The following institutions have indicated they will not host a spring game or showcase for the 2026 cycle: Air Force, Arizona State, BYU, New Mexico State and Utah.
What These Games Signify for the 2026 Season
The schedule of known spring football games in the West highlights a critical phase of the collegiate cycle. With the increasing fluidity of rosters due to the transfer portal, these games allow coaching staffs to integrate new arrivals into their systems. For the fans, it is the first opportunity to see if a highly touted recruit or a veteran transfer can translate their skill to the field in a game-like environment.
The variety of times and dates suggests a staggered approach to player readiness, with some teams opting for early April dates to finalize their rosters and others pushing into May to maximize the number of practices before the summer break. This window is essential for building chemistry, particularly for units that have seen significant turnover in the offseason.
The final confirmed event of the regional spring calendar is the San Diego State showcase on May 2 at 1:00 pm PT. Following the conclusion of these events, programs will typically transition into strength and conditioning phases before returning for full fall camp operations.
We invite our readers to share their thoughts on which Western programs have the most to prove this spring in the comments below. Please share this schedule with fellow fans to ensure you don’t miss a kickoff.