RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Union University football program has officially announced its 2026 football schedule.

Virginia Union will open the season on Friday, August 28, traveling to Hickory, North Carolina, for a non-conference matchup against Lenoir-Rhyne University.

The Panthers will play their home opener on Saturday, September 5, hosting Livingstone College at Hovey Field for the Panthers' CIAA opener.

Virginia Union returns to the road on Saturday, September 12, when the Panthers travel to Murfreesboro, North Carolina, to take on Chowan University.

The Panthers will return to Richmond on Saturday, September 19, welcoming Bluefield State University to Hovey Field.

Virginia Union heads back on the road on Saturday, September 26, for a matchup against Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

The Panthers will host another CIAA contest on Saturday, October 3, when Elizabeth City State University visits Hovey Field.

Following a bye week, Virginia Union travels to Bowie, Maryland, on Saturday, October 17, to face Bowie State University.

Homecoming will take place on Saturday, October 24, as the Panthers host Shaw University at Hovey Field.

Virginia Union will travel to Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, October 31, to take on Lincoln University.

The regular season will conclude on Saturday, November 7, when the Panthers travel to Ettrick, Virginia, for the annual rivalry matchup against Virginia State University.

The top two teams in the conference standings will meet in the CIAA Football Championship on Saturday, November 14, in Durham, North Carolina.

"We didn't build this schedule to be comfortable; we built it to be tested," said VUU Head Football Coach Alvin Parker. "Road games against Lenoir-Rhyne University and Chowan University, combined with a tough Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association schedule, will prepare us for where we expect to be at the end of the season. Every week will demand us to be our best. We embrace the pressure, because we know it's what shapes championship teams."

Season passes for the 2026 home football schedule will be available at the 2026 Spring Football Game, scheduled for Saturday, April 11, at Hovey Field in Richmond.

For additional information on Virginia Union athletics, visit VUUSports.com.