RICHMOND, Ky. – The 2026 slate of competition is set for the Eastern Kentucky University football team as head coach Walt Wells has announced the Colonels' non-conference schedule on Monday. 
 
The six non-conference games complete the season's fixtures with the six conference matchups that were announced in December.
 
In total, EKU will have five home games, including two non-conference games at Roy Kidd Stadium, and seven road fixtures, with four in non-conference play.
 
The Colonels will open the season on the road for the first two weeks, opening the year with a trip to Western Carolina on Saturday, August 29, before heading south to face former Ohio Valley Conference foe Jacksonville State on Saturday, September 5, as the lone FBS opponent on EKU's slate.
 
The Maroon and White will then enjoy two weekends inside the friendly confines of Roy Kidd Stadium, hosting Chattanooga on Saturday, September 12, and Dayton the following Saturday, September 19.
 
EKU will then head back on the road to face Southeastern Missouri State (SEMO) on September 26.
 
The Colonels will then have two weeks of United Athletic Conference action at home against North Alabama (Oct. 3) and West Georgia (Oct. 10) before finishing non-conference play at Tennessee Tech on Saturday, October 17.
 
All game times will be announced at a later date.
 
2026 EKU Football Schedule
 
* United Athletic Conference Game
 

Date	Opponent
Aug. 29	at Western Carolina
Sept. 5	at Jacksonville State
Sept. 12	vs. Chattanooga
Sept. 19	vs. Dayton
Sept. 26	at SEMO
Oct. 3	vs. North Alabama*
Oct. 10	vs. West Georgia*
Oct. 17	at Tennessee Tech
Oct. 24	Open Week
Oct. 31	at Tarleton State*
Nov. 7	at Austin Peay*
Nov. 14	vs. Central Arkansas*
Nov. 21	at Abilene Christian*