Apple Cup Opens 2026 Season: Washington State Faces Washington on NBC Airwaves

The 2026 college football season kicks off with one of the Pacific Northwest’s oldest rivalries, as the Washington State Cougars travel to Seattle to face the Washington Huskies in the annual Apple Cup. The matchup carries extra intrigue for Cougars fans, marking the debut of a new coaching regime in Pullman.

Kirby Moore takes over as Washington State’s head coach — the program’s third different leader in as many years. Moore arrives after serving as offensive coordinator at Missouri, and he’ll open his tenure with transfer quarterback Caden Pinnick under center.

History offers a recent memory for the Cougars in Seattle: the last time the rivalry was played at Husky Stadium, Washington State came away with a 24-19 win, sealed by a defensive stand at the goal line in the closing moments.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. local time at Husky Stadium, with national coverage on NBC and its streaming platform Peacock.

Broadcast Angle

The national television window underscores the value conferences and networks place on rivalry-week programming even in the season’s opening slate. NBC, part of Comcast‘s media portfolio, has leaned into college football coverage as part of its sports strategy, with Peacock simulcasts extending reach to streaming audiences. Comcast shares were trading at $26.49 on Friday, down 0.64% from a prior close of $26.66, with a market capitalization of roughly $94.4 billion.

What to watch

• How Kirby Moore’s offense looks in its first game with transfer quarterback Caden Pinnick starting.
• Whether Washington State can replicate its last result at Husky Stadium, a 24-19 win.
• NBC and Peacock viewership data for the national broadcast, a signal of demand for early-season rivalry content.
• Comcast’s upcoming earnings commentary on sports-driven streaming engagement.

Source: original release