The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats have announced their 2026 football schedule, which includes three non-conference home games among 12 games total.
The Wildcats begin the year with an open date on August 29, providing additional preparation ahead of their season opener on September 3 at UCF. The Thursday night contest marks the program’s first meeting with the Knights since B-CU’s transition into the SWAC.
Bethune-Cookman opens its home schedule on September 12 against Stetson, renewing a familiar in-state matchup. The Wildcats remain in Daytona Beach the following week for Homecoming, hosting Virginia-Lynchburg on September 19.
Non-conference play concludes on September 26, when Bethune-Cookman welcomes South Carolina State to Daytona Stadium. The newly revealed game is the second of a home-and-home series that began last season in Orangeburg.
Conference action begins on October 3, with Bethune-Cookman hosting Alabama State. The Wildcats then travel to Alabama A&M on October 10, marking their first SWAC road test of the season.
The team continues its road swing on October 17 at Mississippi Valley State, followed by a return home on October 24 to face Jackson State, one of the most anticipated games on the schedule.
Bethune-Cookman closes October with a trip to Arkansas-Pine Bluff on October 31, then opens November with another road contest at Southern on November 7. The Wildcats return home on November 14 to host Grambling State.
The regular-season concludes with the annual Florida Blue Florida Classic against Florida A&M on November 21 in Orlando, a matchup that once again carries conference implications and regional significance
Below is Bethune-Cookman’s complete schedule for the 2026 season, plus a link to their schedule page which will be updated with kickoff times and TV as they are announced:
2026 Bethune-Cookman Football Schedule
08/29 – OFF
09/03 – at UCF
09/12 – Stetson
09/19 – Virginia-Lynchburg
09/26 – SC State
10/03 – Alabama State*
10/10 – at Alabama A&M*
10/17 – at Mississippi Valley State*
10/24 – Jackson State*
10/31 – at Arkansas-Pine Bluff*
11/07 – at Southern*
11/14 – Grambling State*
11/21 – Florida A&M*
* SWAC contest.
Bethune-Cookman finished the 2025 season 6-6 overall and 5-3 in SWAC play. The 2026 season will be the fourth for the Wildcats under head coach Raymond Woodie Jr., who has a 22-11 overall record at the school.
