FAYETTEVILLE — The SEC will transition to a 9-game football schedule in 2026, the league announced Thursday.

The pivot from an 8-game schedule has been discussed for years but tabled on multiple occasions. The conference’s presidents and chancellors approved the change, acting on a recommendation from the league’s athletics directors.

Arkansas football coach Sam Pittman and athletics director Hunter Yurachek have both publicly backed an 8-game schedule as recently as the SEC Spring Meetings in May. At the time Pittman acknowledged he understood the benefits of a 9-game schedule and said he was open to change.

The SEC has faced scrutiny from its peer leagues and the media in recent years to expand the number of league games played. The Big Ten and the Big 12 both have 9-game conference s

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