WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Monmouth University Football has announced its 2026 schedule, a 12-game slate highlighted by an eight-game Costal Athletic Association (CAA) schedule and four non-conference matchups. The Hawks will play five home games and seven road contests during the 2026 campaign.

Monmouth opens the season on Saturday, Aug. 29, with a non-conference matchup at Tennessee Tech. The Golden Eagles finished 2025 with an 11-2 overall record and were champions of the OVC-Big South, claiming an automatic bid in the 2025 FCS Playoff bracket. They finished 2025 ranked inside the top 10 in both the AFCA Coaches Poll (No. 7) and the STATS Perform FCS Poll (No. 6).

"This is the type of schedule that will continue to elevate our football program here at Monmouth," said Head Coach Jeff Gallo. "Opening the season on the road at Tennessee Tech, another top 10 team in the nation, is a great opportunity for our program to make an early statement. The mix of non-conference games, an FBS opponent, and a demanding CAA schedule provide a good challenge for us from the start. The seven road games will force us to be battle-tested, and our five home games will be opportunities to protect our field and create an exciting environment for our fans."

The Hawks host new CAA member Sacred Heart on Sept. 5 for the home opener at Kessler Stadium before heading back on the road and traveling to FBS Western Michigan, the 2025 Mid-American Conference (MAC) champion, on Sept. 12. The CAA schedule continues Sept. 19 at UAlbany and closes the month of September with a matchup at Dartmouth for the first ever meeting between the schools on the gridiron on Sept. 26.

October kicks off the heart of CAA play with a game at home versus Towson on Oct. 3, followed by a bye week. The Hawks begin the second half of the campaign with games at New Hampshire (Oct. 17), at Hampton (Oct. 24), and versus Bryant at home on Halloween (Oct. 31).

The month of November features two early home contests in West Long Branch – versus North Carolina A&T (Nov. 7) and a non-conference matchup with Merrimack (Nov. 14). Monmouth will wrap up the 2026 regular season at Campbell in Buies Creek, NC on Nov. 21.

Season tickets will go on sale in January at MonmouthHawks.com/Tickets or by calling 732-263-5735. Follow Monmouth football on Facebook, Instagram and X at @MUHawksFB for updates throughout the offseason.
 

Date	Opponent (League)	Location	2025 Record	Series
August 29, 2026	Tennessee Tech (OVC-Big South)	Cookeville, TN	11-2	First Meeting
September 5, 2026	Sacred Heart (CAA)	West Long Branch, NJ	8-4	Monmouth leads 13-6
September 12, 2026	Western Michigan (MAC)	Kalamazoo, MI	9-4	Western Michigan leads 1-0
September 19, 2026	UAlbany (CAA)	Albany, NY	2-10	UAlbany leads 14-6
September 26, 2026	Dartmouth (Ivy)	Hanover, NH	7-3	First Meeting
October 3, 2026	Towson (CAA)	West Long Branch, NJ	6-6	Towson leads 9-3
October 17, 2026	New Hampshire (CAA)	Durham, NH	8-4	New Hampshire leads 4-0
October 24, 2026	Hampton (CAA)	Hampton, VA	2-10	Monmouth leads 5-0
October 31, 2026	Bryant (CAA)	West Long Branch, NJ	3-9	Monmouth leads 8-1
November 7, 2026	North Carolina A&T (CAA)	West Long Branch, NJ	2-10	Monmouth leads 2-0
November 14, 2026	Merrimack (Independent)	West Long Branch, NJ	4-8	First Meeting
November 21, 2026	Campbell (CAA)	West Long Branch, NJ	2-10	Monmouth leads 3-1