James Madison Unveils 2026 Football Schedule, Including Matchups with Liberty and Old Dominion

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison University Athletics, in coordination with the Sun Belt Conference, has announced its complete 2026 football schedule, featuring 12 games – six at Bridgeforth Stadium and six on the road. The schedule includes three consecutive Thursday night contests in late October and early November.

2026 Schedule Highlights

The Dukes’ 2026 campaign kicks off with six home games on Saturdays, beginning with a highly anticipated matchup against Liberty on September 5. JMU will host Wagner on September 12, Marshall on October 3, Georgia State on October 17, Troy on Thursday, October 29, and Coastal Carolina on November 28.

Road games include trips to San Diego State on September 19, Old Dominion on September 26, Georgia Southern on October 10, Appalachian State on Thursday, October 22, Southern Miss on Thursday, November 5, and UConn on November 14.

Non-Conference and Sun Belt Play

JMU will play three of its four non-conference games before beginning Sun Belt Conference play on September 26 against Old Dominion. The Dukes will play 11 consecutive weeks before a bye week prior to their regular season finale against Coastal Carolina.

Key Matchups and Series History

• Liberty (Sept. 5): This will be the 20th all-time meeting between the teams, with JMU leading the series 13-6. The game is part of the “Battle of the Blue Ridge.”
• Wagner (Sept. 12): This will be the first-ever meeting between the Dukes and the Wagner Seahawks.
• San Diego State (Sept. 19): JMU will make its first trip to California to face the Aztecs in a first-time meeting. This continues a trend of facing Power Conference opponents.
• Old Dominion (Sept. 26): The Dukes will travel to Norfolk for the TowneBank Royal Rivalry Challenge. JMU is 4-0 against the Monarchs since joining the Sun Belt in 2022, holding a 4-2 all-time series lead.
• Marshall (Oct. 3): JMU hosts Marshall for Family Weekend. The Thundering Herd lead the series 4-2, with all four meetings since they joined the Sun Belt won by the road team.
• Georgia Southern (Oct. 10): JMU will look for its first win in Statesboro, Georgia. Georgia Southern leads the all-time series 9-3, including a 6-0 record at home.
• Georgia State (Oct. 17): JMU hosts Georgia State during Homecoming Weekend. The Dukes hold a 5-0 record against the Panthers, including a 3-0 mark at Bridgeforth Stadium.
• Appalachian State (Oct. 22): The Dukes will travel to Boone, North Carolina, for a Thursday night matchup against App State. App State leads the series 14-6.
• Troy (Oct. 29): JMU hosts Troy in a rematch of the 2025 Sun Belt Football Championship. JMU holds a 3-1 series lead over the Trojans.
• Southern Miss (Nov. 5): JMU travels to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, for a Thursday night game against Southern Miss. JMU won the inaugural meeting against the Golden Eagles in 2024.
• UConn (Nov. 14): JMU will play a non-conference game at UConn. JMU is 5-1 all-time against the Huskies.
• Coastal Carolina (Nov. 28): The Dukes close the regular season at home against Coastal Carolina. JMU holds a 5-1 series lead and has won all four Sun Belt matchups by an average score of 50.25 to 9.5.

Postseason Information

The 2026 Sun Belt Football Championship game will be played on Friday, December 4, featuring the winners of the East and West Divisions. Bowl selections and the College Football Playoff bracket will be announced on Sunday, December 6.

Ticket Information

Season ticket renewals for the 2026 season are underway until the May 15 priority deadline. Fans can call 540-568-3853 or visit the JMU Athletics Ticket Office at the Atlantic Union Bank Center. Game times and television information for the first three non-conference games and the three Sun Belt Thursday matchups will be announced by ESPN in late May. All other kickoff times will be announced by the Sun Belt and ESPN on Mondays, 12 days prior to each game.