Courtesy of Merrimack Athletics

The Merrimack College football program is making a bold statement with its 2026 schedule, signaling its continued ascent and ambition on the national stage.

The upcoming slate of games is a gauntlet that will test the Warriors against established FCS powerhouses, Ivy League schools, and even a venture into the ACC.

The season kicks off with a bang on August 28th as Merrimack hosts Rhode Island, setting a tone right from the opening whistle. This home opener is followed by a grueling three-game road stretch that will take the team across the country. They start at Delaware on September 3rd, head north to Maine on September 12th, and then travel all the way to Texas to face Tarleton State on September 19th.

After returning home to face New Haven on September 26th, the Warriors enter a high-profile stretch against Ivy League opponents. They will travel to face Yale on October 3rd and Dartmouth on October 17th, sandwiched around a bye week. These matchups represent more than just games; they are opportunities for Merrimack to showcase its caliber against some of the most historic programs in college football.

The back half of the season remains tough. Merrimack hosts New Hampshire on October 24th and Wagner on October 31st before hitting the road for one of the most anticipated matchups in program history: a November 7th match up against Wake Forest. Playing an ACC opponent on the road is a massive milestone for the program and a testament to the level of competition the Warriors are now seeking.

The season concludes with a road trip to Monmouth on November 14th and a final home game against Sacred Heart on November 21st.

From start to finish, the 2026 schedule is designed to challenge the Warriors and provide a platform for them to prove they belong among the elite. It is a schedule built for a program that is no longer just participating, but actively competing for a spot in the national conversation in football.