Photo by: Sarah Bautista
CUSA releases full 2026 football schedule
3/13/2026 11:30:00 AM | Football
DALLAS – Conference USA has announced its football schedule for the 2026 season, including the Sam Houston Bearkats' 12-game slate which is set to begin Sept. 5 at Troy.
The 2026 season will feature six road games and six games in Huntsville, marking a return to a renovated Bowers Stadium after the team spent the 2025 season at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston.
It is important to note that all games are subject to date changes, and some dates may move in the coming weeks to accommodate national television selections. A schedule of televised games will be released at a later date.
The Kats will kick off the season on the road at Troy, taking on the Trojans for the first time since 2000 and for the first time at the FBS level. One week later Bearkat fans will get their first look at Sam Houston's updated home facility when the Kats play host to Tulsa on Sept. 12.
Games vs Nicholls (Sept. 19) and at Texas Tech (Sept. 26) follow each of the next two weeks to complete non-conference play.
CUSA play will then begin on Oct. 2 with a Friday game vs NM State, the first of four straight midweek games to begin league play. Sam Houston will follow with a Thursday trip to Liberty (Oct. 8), its first trip to Lynchburg since 2023, and a game on Oct. 20 at Missouri State. That contest will be the first for SHSU against Missouri State since the Bears' joined CUSA and the first meeting between the schools since 2006.
Midweek action will conclude on Tuesday, Oct. 27 when WKU comes to Bowers Stadium.
The second half of CUSA play comes in November with games at FIU (Nov. 7) and Jax State (Nov. 21) and home games vs Kennesaw State (Nov. 14) and Middle Tennessee (Nov. 28). Â
Conference USA's 22nd annual Championship Game, pitting the top two finishers during conference play, will be played on Friday, December 4, on CBS Sports Network during championship week. The kickoff time for the title game will be announced at a later date.
The 2026 season will feature six road games and six games in Huntsville, marking a return to a renovated Bowers Stadium after the team spent the 2025 season at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston.
It is important to note that all games are subject to date changes, and some dates may move in the coming weeks to accommodate national television selections. A schedule of televised games will be released at a later date.
The Kats will kick off the season on the road at Troy, taking on the Trojans for the first time since 2000 and for the first time at the FBS level. One week later Bearkat fans will get their first look at Sam Houston's updated home facility when the Kats play host to Tulsa on Sept. 12.
Games vs Nicholls (Sept. 19) and at Texas Tech (Sept. 26) follow each of the next two weeks to complete non-conference play.
CUSA play will then begin on Oct. 2 with a Friday game vs NM State, the first of four straight midweek games to begin league play. Sam Houston will follow with a Thursday trip to Liberty (Oct. 8), its first trip to Lynchburg since 2023, and a game on Oct. 20 at Missouri State. That contest will be the first for SHSU against Missouri State since the Bears' joined CUSA and the first meeting between the schools since 2006.
Midweek action will conclude on Tuesday, Oct. 27 when WKU comes to Bowers Stadium.
The second half of CUSA play comes in November with games at FIU (Nov. 7) and Jax State (Nov. 21) and home games vs Kennesaw State (Nov. 14) and Middle Tennessee (Nov. 28). Â
Conference USA's 22nd annual Championship Game, pitting the top two finishers during conference play, will be played on Friday, December 4, on CBS Sports Network during championship week. The kickoff time for the title game will be announced at a later date.
FB: 2026 Transfer Portal Press Conference
Wednesday, February 11
FB: 2026 Signing Day Press Conference
Wednesday, February 04
FB: Press Conference following FIU
Saturday, November 29
FB: Phil Longo Weekly Press Conference FIU
Tuesday, November 25
