Football | 8/5/2026 11:00:05 AM
NORFOLK, Va. – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced its 2026 football ESPN schedule, featuring 23 games across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN+.
The 23-game ESPN schedule includes two contests on ABC, with additional games set to air across ESPN networks. The regular season will conclude with one Wild Card selection on either Nov. 14 or Nov. 21.
The lineup is highlighted by two marquee events in Atlanta, beginning with the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 7:30 p.m. on ABC, featuring Howard against Alabama A&M, and culminating with the Cricket Celebration Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 12.
Reigning MEAC and Celebration Bowl champion South Carolina State travels to face Florida A&M in the Orange Blossom Classic on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 3 p.m. on ESPN from Miami Gardens, Fla.
Conference play takes center stage on Friday, Oct. 23, when Delaware State hosts North Carolina Central in a key matchup at 5 p.m. on ESPN2 from Dover, Del.
Action shifts to ESPNU on Thursday, Oct. 29, as Morgan State welcomes South Carolina State to Hughes Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff, before Howard hosts South Carolina State the following Thursday, Nov. 5, at 5 p.m. in Washington, D.C.
The ESPN schedule concludes on Saturday, Dec. 12, when the champions of the MEAC and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) meet in the Cricket Celebration Bowl at noon on ABC in Atlanta.
About the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) enters its 56th year of intercollegiate competition with the 2026–27 academic year. Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, the MEAC is comprised of eight distinguished Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) along the Atlantic seaboard: Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina Central University, and South Carolina State University. Since its founding in 1970, the MEAC has been dedicated to promoting academic excellence, sportsmanship, and the personal growth of student athletes. For more information, visit
www.MEACSports.com.
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2026 MEAC ESPN Televised Schedule
| Date |
Game |
Time |
Network |
| August 29, 2026 |
South Carolina State vs. Savannah State |
6:00 PM |
ESPN+ |
|
Howard vs. Alabama A&M |
7:30 PM |
ABC |
| September 6, 2026 |
Florida A&M vs. South Carolina State |
3:00 PM |
ESPN |
| September 12, 2026 |
North Carolina Central vs. North Carolina A&T |
6:00 PM |
ESPN+ |
| October 10, 2026 |
Morgan State vs. Robert Morris |
12:00 PM |
ESPN+ |
|
North Carolina Central vs. William & Mary |
1:00 PM |
ESPN+ |
| October 17, 2026 |
Howard vs. Morehouse |
3:30 PM |
ESPN+ |
| October 23, 2026 |
Delaware State vs. North Carolina Central |
5:00 PM |
ESPN2 |
| October 24, 2026 |
Morgan State vs. Howard |
3:00 PM |
ESPN+ |
|
South Carolina State vs. Norfolk State |
1:30 PM |
ESPN+ |
| October 29, 2026 |
Morgan State vs. South Carolina State |
7:00 PM |
ESPNU |
| October 31, 2026 |
North Carolina Central vs. Howard |
2:00 PM |
ESPN+ |
|
Norfolk State vs. Delaware State |
2:00 PM |
ESPN+ |
| November 5, 2026 |
Howard vs. South Carolina State |
5:00 PM |
ESPNU |
| November 7, 2026 |
Delaware State vs. Morgan State |
1:00 PM |
ESPN+ |
|
Norfolk State vs. North Carolina Central |
12:00 PM |
ESPN+ |
| November 14, 2026 (Wildcard) |
Howard vs. Delaware State |
1:00 PM |
ESPN Networks |
|
Morgan State vs. Norfolk State |
12:00 PM |
ESPN Networks |
|
South Carolina State vs. North Carolina Central |
1:30 PM |
ESPN Networks |
| November 21, 2026 (Wildcard) |
South Carolina State vs. Delaware State |
1:30 PM |
ESPN Networks |
|
Norfolk State vs. Howard |
12:00 PM |
ESPN Networks |
|
North Carolina Central vs. Morgan State |
2:00 PM |
ESPN Networks |
| December 12, 2026 |
Cricket Celebration Bowl |
12:00 PM |
ABC |