The Florida State football team will open up the 2026 season against New Mexico State on Aug. 29.

FSU is paying New Mexico State a $1.4 million guarantee for the game, according to a copy of the contract that was released to the Osceola. That’s similar to prior deals with FBS schools: Kent State earned $1.2 million for a 2025 game at FSU, and Memphis earned $1.3 million for a 2024 game in Tallahassee.

A 2026 schedule won’t be announced by the ACC until January, at the earliest, but FSU’s early games are taking shape. After New Mexico State, FSU would play an ACC game or two (depending on bye weeks) and then play at Alabama on Sept. 19 before hosting Central Arkansas on Sept. 26. Central Arkansas is coach Mike Norvell’s alma mater.

FSU will play four ACC home games (Clemson, NC State, SMU and Virginia) and four league away games (Miami, Pittsburgh, Boston College and Louisville). The ACC is moving to a nine-game league schedule in 2026, but a source had previously confirmed to the Osceola that some schools would play eight games.

Florida will also play at Tallahassee on Nov. 28.

The contract was signed by New Mexico State on Oct. 6. The Aggies, who play in Conference USA, went 4-8 in 2025.

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