ESPN analyst Pat McAfee's kicking contest became one of the most talked-about segments on College GameDay last season. Now, with 2026 on the horizon, fans are wondering whether it's coming back at all.

ESPN's College GameDay host Rece Davis spoke to Front Office Sports as reported on June 22 and admitted the show is still undecided on whether McAfee's special segment will return for the 2026 season.

"That's Pat's domain," said Davis. "You'll have to ask Pat about that."

His reply came when the Front Office Sports reporter asked him whether the Kicking Contest is coming back after being popular and giving out $5 million dollars in 2025, according to College GameDay.

Every week in 2025, McAfee picked a college student, put them on live TV, and had them kick a field goal from around 30 yards. If they made it? They walked away with hundreds of thousands of dollars, and a big chunk of that went straight to charity. Every single dollar came out of McAfee's own pocket.

McAfee made the whole thing feel like must-watch television. It became one of the most talked-about segments on GameDay before anyone even had time to see it coming.

Nobody knows yet if it will come back in 2026.

"One more kick," during the final contest of 2025 at Kyle Field, McAfee said. "Final kick of the season. Final kick, maybe, of the field goal kicking contest."

Those words set off a wave of speculation that hasn't toned down since. ESPN reported that McAfee has awarded a combined $6.25 million to students and charities over the three years of the kicking contest.

There is one factor that could push the contest towards returning for another season.

Pat McAfee’s personality has made him a GameDay fan favorite

Davis made it clear that the show loves having the segment around. He shared a story that says a lot about the kind of pull McAfee has built with viewers of all ages.

"All I will say about it is we love it," Davis said to Front Office Sports. "It's just tremendous. I told Pat a year or so ago. I said, when you first came on the show, my wife has an aunt who just turned 90, but she could pass for 60, probably. She's a big football fan. But she wasn't really familiar with Pat."

Davis joked that his aunt has become such a big fan of McAfee that she may now prefer McAfee over him. McAfee's charisma, energy, and entertaining style are key reasons why audiences enjoy the show.

That decision sits entirely with McAfee. He can bring it back the same way, change it up, or walk away from it completely.

Do you want to see McAfee's kicking contest return to College GameDay in 2026? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Farheen Fathima

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar