Philadelphia is getting a major college football matchup on Saturday, September 12, when the Penn State Nittany Lions visit Temple at Lincoln Financial Field.
The game is scheduled for noon Eastern and will air nationally on ESPN2. Penn State’s official 2026 schedule confirms the matchup and the Philadelphia setting.
For Temple, the game represents one of the biggest home dates on its 2026 schedule. The Owls will welcome their in state rival to South Philadelphia for a matchup that should bring a large crowd to the Linc.
A Big Philadelphia College Football Saturday
Temple has seven home games scheduled at Lincoln Financial Field during the 2026 season, but the Penn State matchup stands out because of the rivalry and the size of Penn State’s fan base.
The two programs have a long history, and the 2026 meeting continues a home and home series between the schools. Temple previously announced the series with Penn State would include games in 2026 and 2027.
The most recent meeting came in 2016, when Temple defeated Penn State 34 to 27. Temple’s official schedule lists the Owls’ last home win over Penn State as a 27 to 10 victory in 2015.
Temple Plans Championship Recognition
The game will also feature a special recognition for Temple fans.
Temple has designated the September 12 matchup as a celebration of its 2016 American Conference Championship team. The former champions will be honored during the game as part of the Owls’ 2026 promotional schedule.
That gives the afternoon an additional storyline beyond the football matchup itself, particularly for longtime Temple supporters who remember the program’s 2016 championship season.
Temple Fan Tailgate Starts Before Kickoff
The game day experience will begin well before noon.
Temple’s Fan Tailgate is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Lot K at Lincoln Financial Field. The event will include food, beverages, entertainment and Temple themed activities before fans head into the stadium.
The tailgate is located close to the stadium, giving fans an organized way to spend the morning before kickoff.
For a noon game, the early start also means South Philadelphia will have a college football atmosphere building several hours before the teams take the field.
Penn State Begins a New Era
The Penn State game will come during the opening stretch of a new chapter for the Nittany Lions.
Penn State hired Matt Campbell as the program’s 17th head coach after the 2025 season. The Nittany Lions open their 2026 season at home against Marshall on September 5 before traveling to Philadelphia the following weekend.
That makes the Temple game Penn State’s first road contest of the 2026 season.
It also gives Philadelphia fans an early look at Campbell’s Penn State program in a stadium that will be packed with supporters from both schools.
What Fans Can Expect at Lincoln Financial Field
With kickoff set for noon, fans attending the game can expect an early college football Saturday in South Philadelphia.
Temple’s official tailgate begins at 9 a.m., while the game itself starts at noon. Penn State’s official schedule lists ESPN2 as the television home for the matchup.
The combination of an in state rivalry, a major Penn State traveling fan base, Temple’s championship recognition and the pregame tailgate gives the event several storylines beyond the final score.
Why the Penn State vs. Temple Game Matters
For Temple, this is an opportunity to host one of the most recognizable programs in college football at its home stadium.
For Penn State, it is the first road test of the Matt Campbell era and a chance to start the season with a high profile trip to Philadelphia.
For Philadelphia, it is one of the area’s biggest college football events of the early fall.
The matchup also arrives just one week after Temple opens its home schedule against Rhode Island on September 5, making the Penn State game the second consecutive Saturday of college football at Lincoln Financial Field.
Penn State vs. Temple Game Details
Teams: Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Temple Owls
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Kickoff: Noon Eastern
Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
TV: ESPN2
Temple Fan Tailgate: 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Special recognition: Temple’s 2016 American Conference Championship team