MEAC Announces 2026 ESPN Football Games
NORFOLK, Va. – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced its 2026 football ESPN schedule, featuring 23 games across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN+.
The 23-game ESPN schedule includes two contests on ABC, with additional games set to air across ESPN networks. The regular season will conclude with one Wild Card selection on either Nov. 14 or Nov. 21.
The lineup is highlighted by two marquee events in Atlanta, beginning with the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 7:30 p.m. on ABC, featuring Howard against Alabama A&M, and culminating with the Cricket Celebration Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 12.
Reigning MEAC and Celebration Bowl champion South Carolina State travels to face Florida A&M in the Orange Blossom Classic on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 3 p.m. on ESPN from Miami Gardens, Fla.
Conference play takes center stage on Friday, Oct. 23, when Delaware State hosts North Carolina Central in a key matchup at 5 p.m. on ESPN2 from Dover, Del.
Action shifts to ESPNU on Thursday, Oct. 29, as Morgan State welcomes South Carolina State to Hughes Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff, before Howard hosts South Carolina State the following Thursday, Nov. 5, at 5 p.m. in Washington, D.C.
The ESPN schedule concludes on Saturday, Dec. 12, when the champions of the MEAC and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) meet in the Cricket Celebration Bowl at noon on ABC in Atlanta.
2026 MEAC ESPN Televised Schedule
Date
Game
Time
Network
August 29, 2026
South Carolina State vs. Savannah State
6:00 PM
ESPN+
Howard vs. Alabama A&M
7:30 PM
ABC
September 6, 2026
Florida A&M vs. South Carolina State
3:00 PM
ESPN
September 12, 2026
North Carolina Central vs. North Carolina A&T
6:00 PM
ESPN+
October 10, 2026
Morgan State vs. Robert Morris
12:00 PM
ESPN+
North Carolina Central vs. William & Mary
1:00 PM
ESPN+
October 17, 2026
Howard vs. Morehouse
3:30 PM
ESPN+
October 23, 2026
Delaware State vs. North Carolina Central
5:00 PM
ESPN2
October 24, 2026
Morgan State vs. Howard
3:00 PM
ESPN+
South Carolina State vs. Norfolk State
1:30 PM
ESPN+
October 29, 2026
Morgan State vs. South Carolina State
7:00 PM
ESPNU
October 31, 2026
North Carolina Central vs. Howard
2:00 PM
ESPN+
Norfolk State vs. Delaware State
2:00 PM
ESPN+
November 5, 2026
Howard vs. South Carolina State
5:00 PM
ESPNU
November 7, 2026
Delaware State vs. Morgan State
1:00 PM
ESPN+
Norfolk State vs. North Carolina Central
12:00 PM
ESPN+
November 14, 2026 (Wildcard)
Howard vs. Delaware State
1:00 PM
ESPN Networks
Morgan State vs. Norfolk State
12:00 PM
ESPN Networks
South Carolina State vs. North Carolina Central
1:30 PM
ESPN Networks
November 21, 2026 (Wildcard)
South Carolina State vs. Delaware State
1:30 PM
ESPN Networks
Norfolk State vs. Howard
12:00 PM
ESPN Networks
North Carolina Central vs. Morgan State
2:00 PM
ESPN Networks
December 12, 2026
Cricket Celebration Bowl
12:00 PM
ABC