The Stay'ca journal · August 3, 2026
Mississippi State Football 2026: Home Schedule & Where to Stay in Starkville
Mississippi State plays seven home games at Davis Wade Stadium in 2026 — and two of them, Alabama on October 3 and Oklahoma on October 24, will be the toughest weekends to find a bed in Starkville all year. If you're planning a maroon-and-white fall, here's the full home schedule and our honest advice on when to book, from a family that hosts game-day guests in Starkville every season.
Mississippi State 2026 home schedule
| Date | Opponent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Sep 5 | UL Monroe | Season opener · 6:30 PM |
| Sat, Sep 26 | Missouri | SEC opener at home · night window |
| Sat, Oct 3 | Alabama | Marquee weekend — book now |
| Sat, Oct 24 | Oklahoma | Marquee weekend — book now |
| Sat, Nov 7 | Vanderbilt | Homecoming |
| Sat, Nov 14 | Auburn | Rivalry |
| Sat, Nov 21 | Tennessee Tech | Senior Day · noon kick |
Last updated August 3, 2026 — kickoff times are announced by the SEC roughly 6–12 days before each game; we refresh this guide as they land.
Where to stay in Starkville for game day
Hotels in Starkville sell out early and triple their rates on football weekends. A whole home means your tailgate crew stays together, cooks breakfast before the walk to campus, and has a real porch to land on after the fourth quarter. These are our Starkville homes — the same homes you'll find on Airbnb and Vrbo, without the platform fees when you book direct:
- House of Rivals — Cowbell Row — sleeps 11, 3BR. Our most-booked game-day home, 67 five-star reviews and counting.
- The Camellia Estate — sleeps 12, 4BR. The big-group pick for multi-family tailgates.
- Southern Elk Lodge — sleeps 11, 4BR. Lodge feel, gathering kitchen, perfect for a guys' or gals' football weekend.
- The Cowbell Cottage — sleeps 8, 3BR. New to our lineup and already collecting five-star reviews.
- The One Nine Seven — sleeps 7, 2BR. 30 five-star reviews.
- The Bully Bliss — sleeps 4, 1BR. The couples' pick.
When to book (the honest version)
Starkville is a town of about 25,000 that hosts 60,000+ on football Saturdays. For Alabama and Oklahoma weekends, book the day you read this — those two dates are the first to go every time the schedule drops. Homecoming (Vanderbilt, Nov 7) and the Auburn rivalry (Nov 14) go next. For UL Monroe, Missouri, and Tennessee Tech you can usually wait until 4–6 weeks out, but the best homes still go early.
Why book direct with Stay'ca
Every home above is listed on Airbnb and Vrbo — and booking the identical home direct at stayca.life skips the 12–15% guest service fee the platforms add at checkout. On a $1,200 Alabama weekend, that's real money back in your tailgate budget. We're a family-owned Mississippi company rated 4.95★ across 3,300+ guest stays, and you'll text with us, not a call center. Come stay awhile, y'all.
FAQ
How many home games does Mississippi State have in 2026?
Seven: UL Monroe (Sep 5), Missouri (Sep 26), Alabama (Oct 3), Oklahoma (Oct 24), Vanderbilt/Homecoming (Nov 7), Auburn (Nov 14), and Tennessee Tech (Nov 21).
When should I book for a 2026 game weekend?
Six to ten weeks out for most games; immediately for Alabama and Oklahoma.
Does booking direct really save money?
Yes — the same home booked direct skips the platforms' 12–15% guest service fee. Same home, same beds, less money.
Where does the Egg Bowl happen in 2026?
In Oxford this year — Friday, November 27 at Vaught-Hemingway. (We have homes in Oxford too, no matter which side of the rivalry you sit on.)