The 2026 MEAC football schedule is set, and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference fields six football-playing members along the East Coast for a full five-game round-robin. The MEAC is a cornerstone of HBCU football, and like the SWAC its champion bypasses the FCS playoffs to play in the Celebration Bowl. Below is the full 2026 membership, the week-by-week conference schedule, how the title is decided, and a free printable standings tracker to follow the race all fall.
- Teams: 6 football-playing members
- Conference games: 5 per team
- Season window: August 29, 2026 to November 21, 2026
- Postseason: Champion advances to the Celebration Bowl (HBCU national title game)
- Last updated: August 1, 2026
2026 MEAC Conference Schedule
Every 2026 MEAC conference game, week by week. Conference play opens Oct 24 and runs through the final weekend on November 21. Non-conference dates fill in around these matchups, and kickoff times plus TV are confirmed closer to each weekend.
| Date | Conference Games (Away at Home) |
|---|---|
| Oct 24 Sat | Howard at Morgan State North Carolina Central at Delaware State Norfolk State at South Carolina State |
| Oct 29 Thu | South Carolina State at Morgan State |
| Oct 31 Sat | Howard at North Carolina Central Delaware State at Norfolk State |
| Nov 5 Thu | South Carolina State at Howard |
| Nov 7 Sat | Morgan State at Delaware State North Carolina Central at Norfolk State |
| Nov 14 Sat | Delaware State at Howard Norfolk State at Morgan State North Carolina Central at South Carolina State |
| Nov 21 Sat | Howard at Norfolk State Delaware State at South Carolina State Morgan State at North Carolina Central |
2026 MEAC Members
Here are the 6 schools playing MEAC football in 2026.
| School | Location | Nickname | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware State Hornets | Dover, DE | Hornets | Alumni Stadium |
| Howard Bison | Washington, DC | Bison | William H. Greene Stadium |
| Morgan State Bears | Baltimore, MD | Bears | Hughes Stadium |
| North Carolina Central Eagles | Durham, NC | Eagles | O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium |
| Norfolk State Spartans | Norfolk, VA | Spartans | William “Dick” Price Stadium |
| South Carolina State Bulldogs | Orangeburg, SC | Bulldogs | Oliver C. Dawson Stadium |
2026 Realignment: What Changed
The MEAC stands at six football-playing members for 2026: Delaware State, Howard, Morgan State, North Carolina Central, Norfolk State, and South Carolina State. With an even six teams, the league plays a true single round-robin, so every team faces every other conference member once and the standings are settled head-to-head.
How the 2026 MEAC Season Works
The 2026 MEAC football schedule gives each team 5 conference games between August 29, 2026 and November 21, 2026. Programs fill the rest of the schedule with non-conference opponents, and the league standings decide the automatic playoff bid plus seeding for teams in the hunt for at-large spots. Kickoff times and TV or streaming details are confirmed closer to each weekend.
MEAC and the Celebration Bowl
The MEAC champion does not enter the 24-team FCS playoff. Instead, the league winner earns the conference’s berth in the Cricket Celebration Bowl in Atlanta, facing the SWAC champion in the recognized national championship of HBCU football. Because it is a straight round-robin, the MEAC title usually comes down to the head-to-head results among the contenders, with North Carolina Central and South Carolina State among the recent standard-bearers. Explore the rest of the subdivision with our 2026 FCS football schedule and conference guide.
How to Watch MEAC Football in 2026
MEAC games are carried across ESPN platforms, including ESPN+, along with regional and conference streaming outlets. Exact network and start time for each game are confirmed in the weeks before kickoff, so bookmark this page and check back as the matchups firm up.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teams are in the MEAC for 2026?
6 teams play Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football in 2026. The MEAC stands at six football-playing members for 2026: Delaware State, Howard, Morgan State, North Carolina Central, Norfolk State, and South Carolina State. With an even six teams, the league plays a true single round-robin, so every team faces every other conference member once and the standings are settled head-to-head.
How many conference games does each MEAC team play?
Each team plays 5 conference games in 2026, with non-conference dates added around them. FCS programs may now play a full 12-game regular season.
When does the 2026 MEAC season start and end?
The 2026 MEAC season runs from August 29, 2026 through the final regular-season weekend on November 21, 2026, ahead of the FCS playoffs.
Does the MEAC champion play in the FCS playoffs?
No. Unlike almost every other FCS league, the MEAC champion does not enter the 24-team FCS playoff. It instead meets the other historically Black conference champion in the Cricket Celebration Bowl in Atlanta, the recognized national title game of HBCU football.
Is there a printable MEAC schedule and standings tracker?
Yes. A free printable PDF standings tracker is available above, with every 2026 member listed and blank columns to fill in conference and overall records all season.
More 2026 FCS Coverage
Explore the rest of our FCS hub: the 2026 FCS football schedule and conference guide, the printable 2026 FCS playoff bracket, and every notable 2026 FCS vs FBS matchup.
