The 2026 OVC football schedule is set, and the Ohio Valley Conference returns eight football-playing members for the fall. Played through the OVC-Big South Football Association, the league mixes longtime OVC programs with former Big South members Charleston Southern and Gardner-Webb. Below is the full 2026 membership, the week-by-week conference schedule, the road to the FCS bracket, and a free printable standings tracker to follow the race all fall.
- Teams: 8 football-playing members
- Conference games: 7 per team
- Season window: August 27, 2026 to November 21, 2026
- Postseason: Champion earns the FCS playoff automatic bid
- Last updated: August 4, 2026
2026 OVC Conference Schedule
Every 2026 OVC conference game, week by week. League play opens August 27 and runs through the final Saturday 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) |
|---|---|
| Aug 27 Thu | Charleston Southern at Lindenwood |
| Oct 3 Sat | Gardner-Webb at Charleston Southern Tennessee State at Western Illinois |
| Oct 10 Sat | Eastern Illinois at Gardner-Webb Southeast Missouri at Lindenwood UT Martin at Tennessee State |
| Oct 17 Sat | Lindenwood at Eastern Illinois Gardner-Webb at UT Martin Western Illinois at Southeast Missouri |
| Oct 24 Sat | Charleston Southern at Tennessee State Southeast Missouri at Eastern Illinois UT Martin at Western Illinois |
| Oct 31 Sat | Western Illinois at Charleston Southern Eastern Illinois at UT Martin Gardner-Webb at Southeast Missouri Tennessee State at Lindenwood |
| Nov 7 Sat | UT Martin at Charleston Southern Western Illinois at Eastern Illinois Lindenwood at Gardner-Webb Southeast Missouri at Tennessee State |
| Nov 14 Sat | Southeast Missouri at Charleston Southern Eastern Illinois at Tennessee State Gardner-Webb at Western Illinois Lindenwood at UT Martin |
| Nov 21 Sat | Charleston Southern at Eastern Illinois Tennessee State at Gardner-Webb Western Illinois at Lindenwood UT Martin at Southeast Missouri |
2026 OVC Members
Tennessee Tech left for the Southern Conference, moving the OVC to eight football members for 2026.
| Team | Location | Nickname |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston Southern | North Charleston, SC | Buccaneers |
| Eastern Illinois | Charleston, IL | Panthers |
| Gardner-Webb | Boiling Springs, NC | Runnin' Bulldogs |
| Lindenwood | St. Charles, MO | Lions |
| Southeast Missouri | Cape Girardeau, MO | Redhawks |
| Tennessee State | Nashville, TN | Tigers |
| UT Martin | Martin, TN | Skyhawks |
| Western Illinois | Macomb, IL | Leathernecks |
2026 Realignment: What Changed
Tennessee Tech left the OVC for the Southern Conference in 2026, moving the league to eight football members. The OVC continues to play its football schedule through the OVC-Big South Football Association, keeping Charleston Southern and Gardner-Webb in the mix alongside longtime members like Eastern Illinois, Southeast Missouri, Tennessee State, and UT Martin.
How the 2026 OVC Season Works
The 2026 OVC football schedule gives each team 7 conference games between August 27, 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 chasing at-large spots. Kickoff times and TV or streaming details are confirmed closer to each weekend.
OVC and the FCS Playoffs
The OVC champion earns the conference automatic bid into the 24-team FCS playoff. Southeast Missouri, UT Martin, and Tennessee State have all pushed for the postseason in recent years, so the league race usually comes down to the November weekends. You can print the full postseason field with our 2026 FCS playoff bracket.
How to Watch OVC Football in 2026
OVC games are carried across ESPN platforms, including ESPN+, along with regional and school 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 OVC for 2026?
8 teams play Ohio Valley Conference football in 2026. Tennessee Tech left for the Southern Conference for 2026.
How many conference games does each OVC team play?
Each team plays 7 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 OVC season start and end?
The 2026 OVC season runs from August 27, 2026 through the final regular-season Saturday on November 21, 2026, ahead of the FCS playoffs.
How does the OVC make the FCS playoffs?
The OVC champion earns an automatic bid into the 24-team FCS playoff bracket, and additional teams can reach the field as at-large selections.
Is there a printable OVC 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.
