North Carolina Central will not play in a Classic or any other special game during the 2026 football season for the first time since 2019.
The Eagles will open the season on the road for the third consecutive year, traveling to Houston to face Texas Southern in the program’s first meeting.
The matchup continues a recent trend for NCCU, marking the fifth straight season the team has faced a Southwestern Athletic Conference opponent.
Head coach Trei Oliver announced the schedule on Wednesday, noting that the Eagles will host six home games at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium — the most since 2017.
The home slate includes contests against Elizabeth City State, North Carolina A&T, Campbell, William & Mary, Howard, and Morgan State.
The North Carolina Central-NC A&T matchup returns to Durham on Sept. 12 for its 98th edition, as NCCU aims for a fifth straight victory over rival A&T.
The Campbell game will be the athletics department’s Hall of Fame matchup, while William & Mary will visit Durham for the first time as part of NCCU’s Homecoming celebration.
NCCU finished the 2025 season with an 8-4 record under Oliver.
