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The 2026 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football schedule opens on a Thursday night at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium against Akron on September 3 before a demanding ACC stretch that includes road games at Purdue, Louisville, NC State, California, SMU, and Georgia Tech. Head coach Dave Clawson enters his 13th season in Winston-Salem aiming to guide the Deacons back into consistent bowl contention.
2026 Wake Forest Demon Deacons Football Schedule
| Wk | Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thu, Sep 3 | vs Akron Zips | 7:00 PM | ACCN |
| 2 | Sat, Sep 12 | @ Purdue Boilermakers | TBD | TBD |
| 3 | Fri, Sep 18 | vs Miami Hurricanes | 7:30 PM | ESPN |
| 4 | Sat, Sep 26 | @ Louisville Cardinals | TBD | TBD |
| 5 | Sat, Oct 3 | vs Stanford Cardinal | TBD | TBD |
| 6 | Sat, Oct 10 | @ NC State Wolfpack | TBD | TBD |
| 7 | Sat, Oct 17 | @ California Golden Bears | TBD | TBD |
| Open Date – Bye Week (Sat, Oct 24) | ||||
| 9 | Sat, Oct 31 | vs Virginia Cavaliers | TBD | TBD |
| 10 | Sat, Nov 7 | vs Merrimack Warriors | TBD | TBD |
| 11 | Sat, Nov 14 | @ SMU Mustangs | TBD | TBD |
| 12 | Sat, Nov 21 | @ Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets | TBD | TBD |
| 13 | Sat, Nov 28 | vs Duke Blue Devils | TBD | TBD |
All times Eastern. TBD = kickoff/TV not yet announced. Updated May 27, 2026.
Wake Forest plays six of its twelve games on the road, making home opportunities against Miami, Stanford, Virginia, Merrimack, and Duke especially important for building the win column. The Friday night home game against Miami on September 18 is the premier early-season highlight for the Deacons. A midseason bye before the Virginia home game provides a useful reset during an otherwise demanding October and November schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Wake Forest head coach in 2026?
Dave Clawson enters his 13th season as head coach of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in 2026. Clawson is one of the longest-tenured coaches in the ACC and has guided Wake Forest to multiple bowl appearances, including an ACC Championship Game appearance in 2021. He has built the program into a consistent mid-tier ACC contender through disciplined roster management and scheme.
Where do the Wake Forest Demon Deacons play home games in 2026?
Wake Forest plays home games at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The stadium seats approximately 31,500 fans and opened in 2014, giving the Demon Deacons one of the newer facilities in the ACC. It sits on the Wake Forest University campus and has hosted several important conference victories since opening.
When does Wake Forest play Miami in 2026?
Wake Forest hosts Miami at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium on Friday September 18, 2026. The early-season Friday night ACC game is one of the premier home matchups on the schedule for the Deacons. The Allegacy Stadium crowd on a Friday night has developed into one of the more energetic home environments in the ACC for visiting teams.
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Resource Hub
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Everything you need for the 2026 college football season.
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| → 2026 College Football Schedule Full FBS slate with kickoff times and TV networks. |
| → 2026-27 College Football Playoff Bracket The 12-team bracket, dates, and projected matchups. |
| → 2026-27 Bowl Game Schedule Every bowl game, date, and matchup in one place. |
| → ACC Football Standings Live ACC standings, records, and results. |
