Florida A&M University unveiled a tradition-heavy and 2026 football schedule that features a date with Quinn Gray Sr.’s former team and the HBCU national champions.
The Rattlers will kick off the campaign at home on Aug. 29, hosting Albany State at Bragg Memorial Stadium in a season opener that sets the stage for a schedule featuring nine Florida-based games, including two of the most storied matchups in Black college football.
A week later, FAMU travels to Miami for the Orange Blossom Classic on Sept. 5, renewing its historic rivalry with South Carolina State on one of the sport’s most recognizable stages. The Rattlers will remain in South Florida for a rare midweek test against Miami on Sept. 10, providing an early opportunity to face an FBS opponent.
The home schedule intensifies in late September when Tennessee State visits Tallahassee on Sept. 19, followed by the start of SWAC play on Sept. 26 against Alabama A&M. FAMU will then pause for a bye week on Oct. 3 before beginning a challenging two-game road stretch.
That stretch takes the Rattlers to Alabama State on Oct. 10 and Jackson State on Oct. 17, two pivotal conference matchups that will test the team’s depth and resilience. Florida A&M returns home for back-to-back games against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Oct. 24 and Southern on Oct. 31, key opportunities to build late-season momentum in front of the home crowd.
The November slate begins with a road trip to Alcorn State on Nov. 7 before closing the home schedule against Mississippi Valley State on Nov. 14. FAMU’s regular season concludes on Nov. 21 in Orlando at the Florida Classic against longtime rival Bethune-Cookman, the most anticipated event in HBCU football.
2026 Florida A&M Football Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 29 | Albany State | Tallahassee, Fla. |
| Sept. 5 | South Carolina State (Orange Blossom Classic) | Miami, Fla. |
| Sept. 10 | at Miami | Miami, Fla. |
| Sept. 19 | Tennessee State | Tallahassee, Fla. |
| Sept. 26 | Alabama A&M | Tallahassee, Fla. |
| Oct. 3 | BYE WEEK | |
| Oct. 10 | at Alabama State | Montgomery, Ala. |
| Oct. 17 | at Jackson State | Jackson, Miss. |
| Oct. 24 | Arkansas-Pine Bluff | Tallahassee, Fla. |
| Oct. 31 | Southern | Tallahassee, Fla. |
| Nov. 7 | at Alcorn State | Lorman, Miss. |
| Nov. 14 | Mississippi Valley State | Tallahassee, Fla. |
| Nov. 21 | Bethune-Cookman (Florida Classic) | Orlando, Fla. |
