DAVIS, Calif. — With just over three weeks to go until the opening kickoff at Portland State, UC Davis football has been slotted at No. 6 in the Stats Perform Top 25 Preseason Poll. This is the highest preseason ranking the Aggies since coming off a 2018 Big Sky Championship season during the 2019 preseason ranking.

Coming off of a 9-4 record with a 6-2 conference mark in 2025, the Aggies are riding momentum after appearing in back-to-back FCS Quarterfinals. UC Davis rattled off ranked wins against No. 14 NAU and No. 9 Rhode Island while hosting the FCS Quarterfinals for the first time in program history.

UC Davis is one of four Big Sky programs in this season's top 25, being joined by NAU at No. 25, Montana at No. 2, and defending national champion Montana State at No. 1.

The 2026 Aggies are set to be loaded across the field, featuring All-Conference and All-American players in all phases of the game.

Leading the way on offense is Walter Payton Preseason Watch List senior Samuel Gbatu, Jr. The 2025 Big Sky leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns is back for his fifth season in the blue and gold, looking to leave his mark as the next great receiver for the Aggies.

Defensively, the Conners brothers of Rex and Porter have returned to the field after seeing their senior seasons cut short due to injury. Both men have been named STATS Perform and FCS Football Preseason All-Americans and Rex has been named to the Buck Buchanan Preseason Award Watch List for the third straight season after setting the program record for career tackles last season.

Other notable starters include center Zaire Collier, running back Jordan Fisher, defensive linemen Trent Carrade and Rayne Mayo Jr., and sophomore defensive back Drew Cofield.

The Aggies open the season on the road with the Big Sky opener against Portland State on Aug. 29. The home opener will be versus Stetson on Sept. 19.

BUY 2026 SINGLE GAME TICKETS

Single game tickets are on sale now. Secure your seats for any of UC Davis' six home games today.

BUY 2026 MINI PLANS

Mini Plans offer a great way to save by bundling multiple games. Choose from two different options and select the games that fit your schedule.

Both Mini Plan options include the Montana game and allow fans to add one or two additional home games at a discounted rate compared to purchasing single-game tickets. All Mini Plan seats are located in Sections 119 or 125 on the west side of UC Davis Health Stadium.

BUY 2026 SEASON TICKETS

Season tickets start at just $100 for new alumni (2017–26 UC Davis graduates) and $140 for the general public. Season ticket holders also receive a variety of exclusive benefits, including priority access to postseason tickets, select away games and parking.

Additional benefits include a dedicated Aggie Ticket Representative, flexible payment plan options and invitations to exclusive season ticket holder events. Purchase your season tickets today. For more information, email the Aggie Ticket Office at aggietickets@ucdavis.edu or call (530) 752-2471.

BUY 2026 GROUP TICKETS

Group ticket discounts begin with just 10 tickets and provide the perfect opportunity for company outings, family gatherings, birthday celebrations and more.

Create a memorable birthday experience with a player high-five tunnel or reserve a turnkey tailgate space for your group before kickoff. Call the Aggie Ticket Office at (530) 752-2471 to customize an unforgettable game-day experience.

BUY 2026 TAILGATE/PARKING SPOTS

For more information about purchasing tailgating or parking for the 2026 season, contact Jordan Kurtz at (530) 304-1433 or jkurtz@ucdavis.edu.

ABOUT UC DAVIS ATHLETICS 

UC Davis, ranked No. 2 among public universities by the Wall Street Journal in the value of a college degree, is home to 40,000 undergraduate students and 12,000 employees. Ranked top in the United States in agriculture and forestry as well as No. 1 in veterinary medicine, UC Davis is located in a true California college town nestled between world-class destinations such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe. Over 650 Aggie student-athletes compete in 25 Division I varsity sports, with 16 sports transitioning to the Mountain West Conference beginning in 2026–27. 

For more information, visit https://ucdavisaggies.com/.