Harrisonburg, Va. – James Madison University has unveiled its complete 12-game football schedule for 2026, featuring six home contests and six road matchups. The schedule, released in coordination with the Sun Belt Conference, includes a challenging mix of non-conference opponents and conference rivals, culminating in a regular season finale against Coastal Carolina on November 28th.
The Dukes’ 2026 campaign is highlighted by three consecutive Thursday night games in late October and early November, adding a unique element to their home and away schedule. Five of JMU’s six home games will be played on Saturdays, offering ample opportunities for fans to support the team at Bridgeforth Stadium. Season ticket renewals are currently underway, with a priority deadline of May 15th, according to JMU Athletics.
JMU will kick off the season with a high-profile matchup against Liberty on Saturday, September 5th, marking the 20th all-time meeting between the two Virginia schools. The game, dubbed the “Battle of the Blue Ridge,” sees the Dukes holding a 13-6 advantage in the series. The following week, on September 12th, JMU will host Wagner in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
Non-Conference Challenges and Sun Belt Competition
The Dukes will face San Diego State on September 19th in their first trip to California and a first-time meeting with the Aztecs. This will be the second consecutive year JMU has faced a team from the Pac-12 conference. Sun Belt Conference play begins on September 26th with a road game against Old Dominion in Norfolk as part of the TowneBank Royal Rivalry Challenge. JMU has been dominant against the Monarchs since joining the Sun Belt in 2022, boasting a 4-0 record and a 4-2 all-time series lead.
October brings a mix of home and away contests. JMU will host Marshall on October 3rd as part of Family Weekend, but the Thundering Herd currently lead the series 4-2, with the road team winning all four meetings since Marshall joined the Sun Belt four years ago. A trip to Statesboro, Georgia, on October 10th will spot the Dukes face Georgia Southern, where the Eagles have historically been strong, holding a 9-3 all-time series lead and a perfect 6-0 record at home. Homecoming Weekend on October 17th will feature a matchup against Georgia State, against whom JMU holds a 5-0 record.
Thursday Night Football and Season Finale
Following Homecoming, JMU embarks on a stretch of three consecutive Thursday night games. The first is a road trip to Boone, North Carolina, to take on Appalachian State on October 22nd. App State leads the all-time series 14-6, with an 8-3 record at home. The following Thursday, October 29th, JMU hosts Troy in a rematch of the 2025 Sun Belt Football Championship. The Dukes currently hold a 3-1 series lead over the Trojans. The final Thursday night game is a road trip to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to face Southern Miss on November 5th, where JMU claimed the inaugural meeting in 2024.
JMU will step out of league play to close its non-conference schedule at UConn on Saturday, November 14th. The Dukes have a 5-1 all-time record against the Huskies, including a dominant 44-6 victory in Harrisonburg in 2023. The regular season concludes on Saturday, November 28th, with a home game against Coastal Carolina. JMU holds a commanding 5-1 series lead over the Chanticleers, having won all four Sun Belt matchups by an average score of 50.25 to 9.5.
The 2026 Sun Belt Football Championship game is scheduled for Friday, December 4th, with the College Football Playoff bracket and postseason bowl selections to be unveiled on Sunday, December 6th. Game times and television information for the first three non-conference games and the three Thursday night Sun Belt matchups will be announced by ESPN in late May, while remaining kickoff times will be announced by the Sun Belt and ESPN on Mondays, 12 days prior to each game.
Fans interested in securing season tickets can call 540-568-3853 or visit the JMU Athletics Ticket Office at the Atlantic Union Bank Center. The Dukes are preparing for a competitive season, and the full schedule provides a clear path for fans to support their team throughout the fall.
What comes next for JMU football is a focused spring practice and preparation for the challenges ahead. The announcement of game times and television coverage in late May will provide further details for fans planning to attend or watch the games. The Dukes aim to build on their recent success and compete for a Sun Belt Championship in 2026.
Share your thoughts on the schedule and your predictions for the season in the comments below!
