University of Tennessee Athletics
Third Saturday In Full Color: Tennessee, Alabama To Wear Home Jerseys In 2026-27 Matchups
August 19, 2026 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A historic "Third Saturday in October" tradition returns as both Tennessee and Alabama will don their "home" jerseys for matchups against each other in Neyland Stadium in 2026 and Bryant-Denny Stadium in 2027, the schools announced Wednesday.
The two-year jersey agreement was made in conjunction with both administrations and head coaches along with the Southeastern Conference. Alabama will wear its crimson jerseys, while Tennessee will don its usual orange tops on Oct. 17 in Neyland Stadium. The two schools will do the same next year in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
"The Third Saturday in October stands alone in college football, and we are excited to restore one of its most iconic traditions as both teams wear their home jerseys," said Tennessee Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White. "I'm grateful to Alabama AD Greg Byrne and his staff for their shared commitment to bringing this experience back to the fans of one of the sport's greatest rivalries."
This will be the first time since Oct. 17, 1970, in Neyland Stadium during Bill Battle's first season that the teams will wear orange and crimson jerseys, respectively. The Vols won that contest 24-0, behind a school-record eight interceptions, including three from Tim Priest. The late Battle served as Tennessee's head coach from 1970-76, compiling a 59-22-2 record and three top-10 poll finishes. Battle was a three-year starter at Alabama and later served as director of athletics of his alma mater from 2013-17.
"The Third Saturday in October is special to our fans, players and VFLs, and bringing this tradition back adds another meaningful element to such a historic college football rivalry," said Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel.
The 2027 meeting in Tuscaloosa will see the Vols wear orange jersey tops for the first time ever in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The two teams played at Legion Field from 1932-97. Tennessee last wore orange jerseys in the Birmingham meeting on Oct. 18, 1969, in head coach Doug Dickey's final season. The seventh-ranked Vols won that game 41-14 over the 20th-ranked Tide.
Tennessee and Alabama have played every season since 1928 with the exception of 1943 (World War II – no season), and this fall will be the 109th all-time meeting between the two historic programs. On Oct. 21, 1939, fifth-ranked Tennessee defeated Alabama, 21–0, and the rivalry was officially designated as the "Third Saturday in October."
Some of the greatest games in SEC annals have been played in the rivalry. The Oct. 20, 1951, meeting was the first-ever televised sporting event in SEC history. The Vols won that contest, 27-13, on NBC en route to their fourth national title under head coach Gen. Robert Neyland.
Tickets for the 2026 edition of the fall classic are sold out. The game time is a flex kickoff (3:30-4:30 p.m. ET or 6-8 p.m. window) and will be announced at a later date.
The two-year jersey agreement was made in conjunction with both administrations and head coaches along with the Southeastern Conference. Alabama will wear its crimson jerseys, while Tennessee will don its usual orange tops on Oct. 17 in Neyland Stadium. The two schools will do the same next year in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
"The Third Saturday in October stands alone in college football, and we are excited to restore one of its most iconic traditions as both teams wear their home jerseys," said Tennessee Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White. "I'm grateful to Alabama AD Greg Byrne and his staff for their shared commitment to bringing this experience back to the fans of one of the sport's greatest rivalries."
This will be the first time since Oct. 17, 1970, in Neyland Stadium during Bill Battle's first season that the teams will wear orange and crimson jerseys, respectively. The Vols won that contest 24-0, behind a school-record eight interceptions, including three from Tim Priest. The late Battle served as Tennessee's head coach from 1970-76, compiling a 59-22-2 record and three top-10 poll finishes. Battle was a three-year starter at Alabama and later served as director of athletics of his alma mater from 2013-17.
"The Third Saturday in October is special to our fans, players and VFLs, and bringing this tradition back adds another meaningful element to such a historic college football rivalry," said Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel.
The 2027 meeting in Tuscaloosa will see the Vols wear orange jersey tops for the first time ever in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The two teams played at Legion Field from 1932-97. Tennessee last wore orange jerseys in the Birmingham meeting on Oct. 18, 1969, in head coach Doug Dickey's final season. The seventh-ranked Vols won that game 41-14 over the 20th-ranked Tide.
Tennessee and Alabama have played every season since 1928 with the exception of 1943 (World War II – no season), and this fall will be the 109th all-time meeting between the two historic programs. On Oct. 21, 1939, fifth-ranked Tennessee defeated Alabama, 21–0, and the rivalry was officially designated as the "Third Saturday in October."
Some of the greatest games in SEC annals have been played in the rivalry. The Oct. 20, 1951, meeting was the first-ever televised sporting event in SEC history. The Vols won that contest, 27-13, on NBC en route to their fourth national title under head coach Gen. Robert Neyland.
Tickets for the 2026 edition of the fall classic are sold out. The game time is a flex kickoff (3:30-4:30 p.m. ET or 6-8 p.m. window) and will be announced at a later date.
Wednesday, August 19
Wednesday, August 19
Wednesday, August 19
Wednesday, August 19
