Upcoming Event: Football at Florida on September 5, 2026 at 7:45 p.m.
7:45 p.m.
Football
at Florida
Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Florida Atlantic Set for 2026 American Kickoff on ESPN+
7/23/2026 7:50:00 AM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley will be joined by redshirt senior QB Caden Veltkamp and DL CJ Doggette Jr. for the 2026 American Kickoff, held in St. Petersburg, Florida at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront from July 23-24.
The two-day event will serve as a preview for the upcoming 2026 season for Florida Atlantic football, its fourth year as a member of the American Conference.
On Friday, ESPN+ will cover Coach Kittley's press conference, scheduled for 12:05 p.m., as well as separate player and coach interviews.
For Owl fans visiting the 2026 American Kickoff, check the schedule provided by the conference below. All events will be at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront.
Thursday, July 23
EA Sports/Kickoff Central • St. Petersburg Ballroom
Opportunities for teams and fans to play EA Sports College Football 2027 and photo/meet-and-greet opportunities with fans.
11 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Friday, July 24
Press Conferences • Grand Bay Ballroom
Sit in as head coaches take questions from the media. Lucky fans may have the opportunity to ask questions as well.
8:05 Commissioner Tim Pernetti
12:40 Zach Kittley, Florida Atlantic
EA Sports/Kickoff Central • St. Petersburg Ballroom
Head coaches and student-athletes available at assigned tables for interviews with print and online media and one-on-one interviews with local television and radio. Fans can get a behind-the-scenes look at the ESPN+ television production with their favorite coaches and players
10:40-11:20 Florida Atlantic, South Florida
Radio Row/Meet & Greet • South Entry Hallway
Head coaches and student-athletes available for in-person radio/podcast segments as well as photo/meet-and-greet opportunities with fans.
11:20-12:00 Florida Atlantic, South Florida
Television
ESPN+ will carry two feeds from the American Kickoff, beginning at 7:50 a.m. on Friday, July 24. Host Maria Trivelpiece will join analysts Rene Ingoglia and Leger Douzable as well as reporter Erin Summers for nearly six hours of live coverage, while a second feed will include the press conferences of Commissioner Pernetti and the American's 14 head coaches.
2026 COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Click HERE.
2026 SUMMER PROSPECTUS
Click HERE.
2026 ROSTER, COACHES AND SUPPORT STAFF
Click HERE.
PURCHASE YOUR 2026 SEASON TICKETS NOW
2026 Florida Atlantic Football season tickets are now sale. Tickets start at $75 plus a $5 processing charge per seat, along with various premium seating options. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit FAUSports.com/tickets, email tickets@fau.edu, call 1-866-FAU-OWLS during normal business hours to order tickets or speak with a ticket sales representative.
FOLLOW THE TEAM
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through football's Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUFootball.
The two-day event will serve as a preview for the upcoming 2026 season for Florida Atlantic football, its fourth year as a member of the American Conference.
On Friday, ESPN+ will cover Coach Kittley's press conference, scheduled for 12:05 p.m., as well as separate player and coach interviews.
For Owl fans visiting the 2026 American Kickoff, check the schedule provided by the conference below. All events will be at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront.
Thursday, July 23
EA Sports/Kickoff Central • St. Petersburg Ballroom
Opportunities for teams and fans to play EA Sports College Football 2027 and photo/meet-and-greet opportunities with fans.
11 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Friday, July 24
Press Conferences • Grand Bay Ballroom
Sit in as head coaches take questions from the media. Lucky fans may have the opportunity to ask questions as well.
8:05 Commissioner Tim Pernetti
12:40 Zach Kittley, Florida Atlantic
EA Sports/Kickoff Central • St. Petersburg Ballroom
Head coaches and student-athletes available at assigned tables for interviews with print and online media and one-on-one interviews with local television and radio. Fans can get a behind-the-scenes look at the ESPN+ television production with their favorite coaches and players
10:40-11:20 Florida Atlantic, South Florida
Radio Row/Meet & Greet • South Entry Hallway
Head coaches and student-athletes available for in-person radio/podcast segments as well as photo/meet-and-greet opportunities with fans.
11:20-12:00 Florida Atlantic, South Florida
Television
ESPN+ will carry two feeds from the American Kickoff, beginning at 7:50 a.m. on Friday, July 24. Host Maria Trivelpiece will join analysts Rene Ingoglia and Leger Douzable as well as reporter Erin Summers for nearly six hours of live coverage, while a second feed will include the press conferences of Commissioner Pernetti and the American's 14 head coaches.
2026 COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Click HERE.
2026 SUMMER PROSPECTUS
Click HERE.
2026 ROSTER, COACHES AND SUPPORT STAFF
Click HERE.
PURCHASE YOUR 2026 SEASON TICKETS NOW
2026 Florida Atlantic Football season tickets are now sale. Tickets start at $75 plus a $5 processing charge per seat, along with various premium seating options. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit FAUSports.com/tickets, email tickets@fau.edu, call 1-866-FAU-OWLS during normal business hours to order tickets or speak with a ticket sales representative.
FOLLOW THE TEAM
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through football's Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUFootball.
Players Mentioned
DL
/ Football
QB
/ FootballWednesday, July 22
Monday, July 13
Monday, July 13
Monday, July 13