NEW ORLEANS – Old Dominion University Football opens the 2026 season at home against Norfolk State on Saturday, Sept. 5, hosts James Madison on Saturday, Sept. 26 in the Sun Belt Conference opener and hosts Georgia Southern on Thursday, Oct. 15 to highlight the 2026 schedule, Old Dominion announced on Thursday.
The Monarchs open the season with Norfolk State on Saturday, Sept. 5 and host the Spartans for the first time since debuting S.B. Ballard Stadium in 2019. ODU is 4-0 all-time against the Spartans and defeated NSU 24-21 in that 2019 contest.
ODU travels to Virginia Tech for the second-straight year to take on the Hokies on Saturday, Sept. 12. The Monarchs have beaten the Hokies three times since the series began in 2017, winning for the first time in Blacksburg last season, 45-26.
Old Dominion returns to Norfolk on Saturday, Sept. 19 to host East Carolina. ECU is 5-0 all-time against ODU including a 20-14 win at ODU in 2024.
ODU stays at S.B. Ballard Stadium to host James Madison in the Sun Belt Conference opener. It will be the fourth time in five years that ODU opens league play at home.
Following the league opener the Monarchs are on the road for two-straight, beginning with Georgia State on Saturday, Oct. 3. ODU has won three-straight over the Panthers, including a 27-10 win in last year’s regular season finale.
For the second-straight road tilt ODU hits the road to App State on Saturday, Oct. 10.
The Monarchs have a short week when they host Georgia Southern on Thursday, Oct. 15. It is the second-straight time that ODU will host Georgia Southern on a Thursday night. In 2024, ODU defeated the Eagles, 47-19. The Monarchs have won three-straight against Georgia Southern. It will be the third-consecutive season that ODU hosts a Thursday night game. The Monarchs defeated Troy 33-0 last year on Thursday night on ESPN.
ODU travels to Sun Belt Newcomer Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Oct. 24. An old Conference USA foe, the Monarchs are 2-0 all-time against the Bulldogs. This will be the first meeting in Ruston.
Halloween will be especially spooky as the Monarchs host Marshall on Saturday, Oct. 31.
The Monarchs begin the final month of the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 7 at Coastal Carolina. The contest in Conway is followed with a bye before the final non-conference game at UConn on Saturday, Nov. 21.
ODU hosts Southern Miss on Saturday, Nov. 28 in the regular season finale. It is the first meeting in Norfolk between ODU and USM as Sun Belt competitors. The last time the Golden Eagles played in Norfolk was in 2016, a 51-35 ODU victory.
Eight of ODU’s 12 opponents played in a bowl game last year. ODU went 10-3 in 2025 and defeated South Florida 24-10 in the StaffDNA Cure Bowl to finish the season on a six-game winning streak.
Kickoff times and networks for all midweek games and weekend games in the first three weeks of the season will be selected in late May. All other games will fall into the traditional 12-day selection process.
Additional details regarding upcoming promotions will be announced shortly. Stay tuned for more information.
Old Dominion Athletics has officially announced that season tickets for the 2026 football season are on sale now. Existing season ticket holders will have the first right to renew their seats through May 7, ensuring priority access to an exciting slate of home games. If you are interested in renewing or purchasing new season tickets, click this link: ODU Football Season Tickets.
To speak with a ticket representative, please fill out the form below, or text/call (757) 683-3360.
2026 ODU Football Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time |
| Sept. 5 | Norfolk State | TBA |
| Sept. 12 | at Virginia Tech | TBA |
| Sept. 19 | East Carolina | TBA |
| Sept. 26 | James Madison | TBA |
| Oct. 3 | at Georgia State | TBA |
| Oct. 10 | at App State | TBA |
| Oct. 15 | Georgia Southern | TBA |
| Oct. 24 | at Louisiana Tech | TBA |
| Oct. 31 | Marshall | TBA |
| Nov. 7 | at Coastal Carolina | TBA |
| Nov. 21 | at UConn | TBA |
| Nov. 28 | Southern Miss | TBA |