Breaking: Maine Black Bears Unveil 2026 Football Schedule, Six Home Games on Tap
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Maine Black Bears Unveil 2026 Football Schedule, Six Home Games on Tap
- 2. Key Facts At A Glance
- 3. Engagement
- 4. Br />
- 5. Home Game Highlights
- 6. Road Battle Breakdown
- 7. Key Dates & Rivalry Matchups
- 8. Ticket sales & Fan Experience
- 9. Travel Tips for Away Games
- 10. Impact on Team Performance & Strategies
- 11. how to stay Updated on schedule Changes
Orono, Maine – The University of Maine football program has released its 2026 schedule, a 12-game slate featuring six home games at Morse Field at Alfond Stadium adn six on the road. The Black Bears closed 2025 with a 6-6 record, their best total since 2021, under the leadership of Head Coach Jordan Stevens.
The season opens with a week-zero trip to Towson on Thursday, August 29. Maine sports a 7-6 mark all-time in CAA-opening-week matchups, and this will be Stevens’ first test against Towson as Maine’s head coach.
Week 1 takes the Black Bears to Appalachian State on Saturday, September 5. Maine owns a 2-0 all-time record against App State,with their last meeting dating back to 2011.
The home opener arrives September 12 when Maine hosts Merrimack at Morse Field. The Black Bears defeated Merrimack 20-13 in 2025 and have won all three meetings in the program’s history against the Warriors.
Weeks 3 and 4 send Maine back to the road: September 19 at Boston College, followed by September 26 at Elon for the second CAA contest of the year. Maine trails Boston College 3-7 all-time and holds a 4-3 edge against elon, with a 35-14 homecoming victory over Elon last season.
Week 5 begins a stretch of three consecutive home games, starting October 3 against Sacred Heart. Sacred Heart will join the CAA for the 2026 season.
After a bye in Week 6, the schedule resumes October 17 with a home date against Bryant, followed by Campbell on October 24. Maine owns a 7-1 record all-time against Bryant, winning the past two meetings by an average margin of 16 points. Campbell handed Maine a 34-28 defeat in 2023, the lone prior matchup between the programs.
On October 31, Maine visits Rhode Island before returning home November 7 to host sacramento State for the first-ever meeting between the two programs. The Black Bears then travel to UAlbany on November 14.
The regular season concludes at home against New Hampshire in the Buffalo Wild Wings Border Battle, an all-time rivalry that Maine will look to reclaim in the Brice-Cowell musket for the first time since 2021.
tickets for the 2026 season are on sale now. Fans can reserve seats at the university ticket portal or by clicking here: https://um-tickets.evenue.net/events/ATHFBDEP.
– Maine Athletics
Developing Champions with Integrity
Key Facts At A Glance
| Week | Date | opponent | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | aug 29, 2026 | towson | Away | Week zero opener; first test as head coach against Towson in CAA season opener context. |
| 1 | Sep 5, 2026 | Appalachian State | Away | FBS opponent; Maine is 2-0 all-time vs App State; last met in 2011. |
| 2 | Sep 12, 2026 | Merrimack | Home | Home opener; 2025 win 20-13; three straight wins all-time vs Merrimack. |
| 3 | Sep 19, 2026 | Boston college | Away | FBS matchup; Maine trails BC 3-7 all-time. |
| 4 | Sep 26, 2026 | Elon | Away | Maine leads 4-3 all-time; last win in 2025 homecoming 35-14. |
| 5 | Oct 3, 2026 | sacred Heart | Home | Sacred heart joins the CAA for 2026. |
| 6 | BYE | BYE | – | Week without a game. |
| 7 | Oct 17, 2026 | Bryant | Home | Maine is 7-1 all-time vs Bryant; last two meetings decided by margin around 16 points. |
| 8 | Oct 24, 2026 | Campbell | Home | Second-ever meeting; Campbell won their 2023 matchup 34-28. |
| 9 | Oct 31, 2026 | Rhode Island | Away | CAA contest on the schedule; Rhode Island visit. |
| 10 | Nov 7, 2026 | Sacramento state | Home | First-ever meeting between the programs. |
| 11 | Nov 14, 2026 | UAlbany | Away | Conference action; trip to New York. |
| 12 | Date TBD | new Hampshire | Home | Border Battle; 114th all-time meeting; aim to reclaim the Brice-Cowell Musket. |
Engagement
Which game on the 2026 schedule are you moast looking forward to, and why does it stand out for you?
Do you think the Border Battle schedule could shape Maine’s year more than any other rivalry? Share your thoughts below.
Share this breaking news with fellow fans and join the conversation online.
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2026 Maine Black Bears Football Schedule Overview
The University of Maine Athletics Department released the official 2026 football slate on December 16 2025. The Black Bears will contest a balanced 12‑game season-six home contests at Alfond Stadium and six road battles across the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) and non‑conference foes.
| Week | Date (2026) | Opponent | Location | Game Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sept 5 | umass | Alfond Stadium (Home) | Non‑conference |
| 2 | Sept 12 | New Hampshire | Durham, NH (Road) | CAA rivalry |
| 3 | Sept 19 | Stony Brook | Alfond Stadium (Home) | CAA |
| 4 | Sept 26 | Albany | Albany, NY (Road) | CAA |
| 5 | Oct 3 | Villanova | Alfond stadium (Home) | CAA |
| 6 | Oct 10 | Delaware | Newark, DE (Road) | CAA |
| 7 | Oct 17 | Towson | Alfond Stadium (Home) | CAA |
| 8 | Oct 24 | James Madison | Harrisonburg, VA (Road) | CAA |
| 9 | Oct 31 | Rhode Island | Alfond Stadium (Home) | CAA |
| 10 | nov 7 | Elon | Elon, NC (Road) | Non‑conference |
| 11 | Nov 14 | Hartford | Alfond Stadium (Home) | Non‑conference |
| 12 | Nov 21 | Monmouth | West Long Branch, NJ (Road) | Non‑conference |
All dates are subject to change; refer to the official Maine athletics website for real‑time updates.
Home Game Highlights
- Season Opener vs. UMass (Sept 5)
Kick‑off at 7:00 PM EST.
- First home game of the year; ideal for families and student‑section tradition.
- Early‑bird ticket bundles include merch discounts.
- Stony Brook Showdown (Sept 19)
- Mid‑season home clash that often decides early CAA standings.
- Tailgate zones open 2 hours before kickoff; parking passes sold on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
- villanova Visit (Oct 3)
- High‑profile non‑conference opponent; perfect for scouting future NFL prospects.
- Special “Black Bear blitz” fan experience includes pre‑game stadium lights and live music.
- Towson Battle (Oct 17)
- Homecoming weekend; alumni events and campus tours coordinated with the game schedule.
- Rhode Island Rivalry (Oct 31)
- Traditional “Battle of the Bay” rivalry; limited‑edition rivalry shirts released at the stadium shop.
- Hartford Finale (Nov 14)
- Final home game; season ticket holders receive priority access to post‑season banquet tickets.
Road Battle Breakdown
- New Hampshire (Sept 12) – “War of the Pine”
Travel tip: Book a stay in downtown Durham 2 days early to avoid game‑day traffic; the campus shuttle runs every 30 minutes on game day.
- Albany (Sept 26) – First East‑Coast away game
Fan tip: Use the Amtrak Adirondack line for an eco‑friendly commute; tickets are discounted for students with a valid .edu email.
- Delaware (Oct 10) – “Blue‑Blood Battle”
Parking: Delaware’s “Blue Parking” lot fills quickly; reserve ahead via the official Delaware Blue Hens ticket portal.
- James Madison (Oct 24) – CAA powerhouse test
Weather watch: Expect cooler temperatures in the Shenandoah Valley; pack layers and a rain jacket.
- Elon (Nov 7) – Southern non‑conference challenge
Travel: Direct flights to Raleigh‑Durham International (RDU) are the fastest option; shuttle service from the airport to the stadium runs hourly.
- Monmouth (Nov 21) – Season‑end road finale
Time‑zone note: Game kicks off at 3:30 PM EST; plan arrival at the stadium by 2:30 PM to avoid rush‑hour traffic on Route 35.
Key Dates & Rivalry Matchups
- September 12 – New Hampshire (Road) – First conference rivalry of the season.
- October 31 – Rhode Island (Home) – “Battle of the Bay” marks the only conference home rivalry.
- November 14 – Hartford (Home) – Marks the end of the home‑game stretch and the start of the road finale.
Ticket sales & Fan Experience
- Early‑bird Packages (available until August 15) include:
- Two‑game combo tickets (home plus away).
- 15 % discount on official Black Bears apparel.
- Access to the “Black Bear Club” lounge on game days.
- Student Passes – Unlimited season access for a flat fee of $120; must present a valid student ID at entry.
- Mobile Ticketing – All tickets are issued via the “Maine Athletics” app; QR code scanning reduces entry wait times to under 30 seconds.
Travel Tips for Away Games
- Plan Accommodations Early – Hotels near campus venues frequently enough book up within weeks of the scheduled game.
- Use Official Shuttle Services – Most CAA schools provide complimentary shuttles for ticket holders; check the host school’s athletics page for schedules.
- Pack Smart – Maine weather can be unpredictable; bring a reusable water bottle, layered clothing, and a portable charger for your devices.
- Local Eats – Research popular eateries near the stadium for a pre‑game bite-supporting local businesses adds to the travel experience.
Impact on Team Performance & Strategies
- Balanced Home/Road Split – Six home games give the Black Bears a strong home‑field advantage while six road contests test depth and adaptability.
- Early Non‑Conference tests (UMass, Elon) provide valuable data for adjusting offensive schemes before CAA play intensifies.
- Travel Fatigue Management – Coaching staff will emphasize recovery protocols after back‑to‑back road games (e.g., Albany → Villanova travel week).
how to stay Updated on schedule Changes
- Official Channels – Follow @MaineAthletics on Twitter,the University of Maine Athletics website,and the “Maine Black Bears” Instagram for instant alerts.
- Email Alerts – Subscribe to the “Season alerts” newsletter; receive real‑time updates on ticket releases, weather postponements, and broadcast information.
- Mobile App – Enable push notifications in the “Maine Athletics” app; the app flags any schedule modifications and provides alternate travel routes for road games.
