Landing humans on the moon was just a dream when UCF was founded in 1963. But we dared to believe — developing the talent and inventing the technologies to make it reality. That same spirit still drives us today.

We are America’s Space University. And we celebrate UCF Space Week to honor our origin as we dare to build what’s next.

UCF student adjusts equipment on a large telescope at night, surrounded by cables and machinery, with a starry sky in the background.
UCF Space Week Oct. 25-30, 2026

Where Global Leaders Unite to Forge the Future of Space

Anniversaries remind us of everything we’ve achieved, and of everything still possible. They tell us that to step forward, sometimes we must look back.

On the 10th anniversary of the Space Game, this year’s custom uniforms draw upon NASA’s beginnings and honor the courage it took to stand on the precipice of our greatest frontier.

The design was heavily influenced by the astronauts of NASA’s earliest human spaceflight missions Mercury, Gemini and Apollo during the 1960s when the university was founded.

UCF football player in white helmet and white uniform with red, white and blue USA accents stands in atrium featuring Mission patch banners hanging from rafters
UCF football linebacker Jayden Jennings ’26MA models Mission X uniform at Kennedy Space Center’s Apollo/Saturn V Center. (Photo by Conor Kvatek, UCF Athletics)

John Young, an Orlando native, is the only astronaut to have flown during the Gemini, Apollo and space shuttle programs. He received an honorary degree as the featured guest speaker at the university’s first commencement ceremony in 1970, two years before he became the ninth person to walk on the moon.

Archival newspaper photo with headline that reads FTU Charter Class Graduates and black and white photo of astronaut John Young receiving honorary degree in cap and gown
A recap of John Young’s speech at the first commencement ceremony was published in the Central Florida Future on June 19, 1970. (Photo courtesy of UCF Libraries University Archives)

Learn more details about the Mission X Space Game uniforms at ucfknights.com/missionx.

The Space Game is now one of the signature events of a larger Space Week held at the university.

Informational graphic with stats related to UCF's space history with illuminated side profile of football player in white helmet
(Graphic courtesy of UCF Athletics)

UCF Space Week

Oct. 25 marks the start of the second UCF Space Week, a university-wide celebration of all the ways Knight Nation boldly pushes space forward. The observance highlights UCF’s vital role in advancing space research, supporting Florida’s fast-growing space economy, and preparing the next generation of explorers, engineers and entrepreneurs.

This year’s space week features summits in partnership with the National Space Society and The Economist, a space-themed drone show, the inaugural UCF Innovate Day and more.

UCF football player in white uniform and helmet looks over his right shoulder as back faces the camera while standing on orange scaffolding
UCF football linebacker Jayden Jennings ’26MA in the Apollo/Saturn V Center. (Photo by Conor Kvatek, UCF Athletics)

2026 Space Game Matchup

The football team will face Baylor in the 10th anniversary of the annual Space Game on Friday, Oct. 30, at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN. Tickets are available for purchase at UCF’s Ticketmaster page.

UCF students can attend the game for free. A complete guide to student ticket information can be found at ucfknights.com/studenttix.