Bethune-Cookman Announces 2026 Football Schedule

The Wildcats will play 12 games, including 3 non-conference home matchups.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 10:15pm

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The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats have announced their 2026 football schedule, which includes three non-conference home games among 12 games total. The season begins with an open date on August 29 before the Wildcats travel to UCF on September 3 for their season opener. Bethune-Cookman will host Stetson, Virginia-Lynchburg, and South Carolina State in non-conference play before opening SWAC action on October 3 against Alabama State.

Why it matters

Bethune-Cookman's 2026 schedule features several intriguing matchups, including a Thursday night game against UCF and the annual Florida Blue Florida Classic against rival Florida A&M. The Wildcats are looking to build on a 6-6 overall record and 5-3 SWAC mark in 2025, the third season under head coach Raymond Woodie Jr.

The details

Bethune-Cookman's 2026 schedule includes 12 games total, with 3 non-conference home matchups against Stetson, Virginia-Lynchburg, and South Carolina State. The Wildcats will open SWAC play on October 3 against Alabama State, followed by road games at Alabama A&M, Mississippi Valley State, and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Bethune-Cookman will host Jackson State, Grambling State, and rival Florida A&M at home during conference play.

  • The season begins with an open date on August 29.
  • Bethune-Cookman opens the season on September 3 with a road game at UCF.
  • The Wildcats' home opener is on September 12 against Stetson.
  • Bethune-Cookman hosts Virginia-Lynchburg for Homecoming on September 19.
  • The non-conference schedule concludes on September 26 against South Carolina State.

The players

Raymond Woodie Jr.

The head coach of the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, now in his fourth season with a 22-11 overall record at the school.

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What’s next

Bethune-Cookman will announce kickoff times and television coverage for the 2026 season as they become available.

The takeaway

Bethune-Cookman's 2026 schedule features a mix of familiar in-state opponents and challenging SWAC foes as the Wildcats look to build on recent success under head coach Raymond Woodie Jr. The Thursday night game against UCF and the annual Florida Classic against FAMU will be marquee matchups on the calendar.