Friday Night Lights returns to Gahanna Lincoln High School on Aug. 21, when the Golden Lions host Pickerington Central at 7 p.m. to open the 2026 football season.

The program's official athletics account announced the one-week countdown on Aug. 14, signaling the end of a preseason that included a scrimmage at Hilliard Bradley and a three-day team camp at Ashland University from July 21–23.

This will be the Lions' first full fall football season in their new high school building at 140 S. Hamilton Road, which opened with a ribbon-cutting on Jan. 10. Gahanna Lincoln enters the year as back-to-back OCC All-Sports champions.

Schedule highlights

The Lions play four of their first five games at home. After the Pickerington Central opener, Springboro visits Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. The first road trip comes Sept. 4 at Olentangy Liberty, followed by three straight home dates: Olentangy Orange on Sept. 11, Hilliard Darby on Sept. 18 and Central Crossing on Sept. 25.

The marquee matchup arrives Oct. 2, when Gahanna Lincoln travels to New Albany for a Homecoming rivalry game. The Eagles enter 2026 under first-year head coach Mark Solis. As we reported Aug. 6, the Oct. 2 contest is circled on both programs' calendars.

TV and tickets

The Gahanna-Jefferson Board of Education approved an agreement with WWHO/The CW Columbus to broadcast one home game this season, according to board minutes. Tickets for home games are available through GoFan, and select games will stream on the NFHS Network.

All Sports Passes and individual Fall Sports Passes are also on sale for the 2026-27 season.

The Lions' 12-game schedule features seven home dates, with the CW Columbus broadcast game still to be announced.