Orono, Maine – The University of Maine football program has announced their 2026 schedule, which will feature 12 games, six of which will be played at Morse Field at Alfond Stadium.

The Black Bears, who went 6-6 during the 2025 season, their highest win total since the 2021 season and best under Head Coach Jordan Stevens, open the season at Towson in week 0 of the 2026 season on Thursday, Aug. 29. Maine is 7-6 all-time against their CAA opening week opponent and it will be the first time Coach Stevens will take on the Tigers as Head Coach of the Black Bears.

Maine heads to FBS opponent Appalachian State for week 1 on Saturday, Sept. 5. Maine is 2-0 all-time against App. St. and will be facing off against them for the first time since the 2011 season.

The first of six home games during the 2026 season comes on Saturday, Sept. 12 as the Black Bears host Merrimack for the home opener. Maine defeated the Warriors in the 2025 season, 20-13 in North Andover and has won all three games in program history against them.

The Black Bears head on the road for weeks 3 and 4 of the season as they travel to FBS opponent Boston College on Sept. 19 before heading to Elon for their second CAA contest of the season on Sept. 26. The Black Bears are 3-7 against Boston College all-time and are 4-3 against Elon all-time. The Black Bears defeated Elon 35-14 on homecoming in Orono during the 2025 season.

Week 5 kicks off three-straight home games for the Black Bears, starting with Sacred Heart on Oct. 3. This will be the second meeting all-time between the two programs and first as CAA opponents as Sacred Heart will be joining the CAA for their first season in 2026.

After a week 6 bye, the Black Bears play host to Bryant on Oct. 17 and Campbell on Oct. 24. Maine is 7-1 all-time against Bryant, having defeated them in each of the past two season by an average of 16 points. The game against Campbell will be just the second meeting all-time between the two sides, with Campbell getting the best of the Black Bears during the 2023 season, 34-28.

After a weekend at Rhode Island for week 9 on Oct. 31, the Black Bears return to Orono to host Sacramento State during week 10 on Nov. 7. That will be the first matchup all-time between the two programs.

The Black Bears travel to UAlbany on Nov. 14 before wrapping up the regular season at home against the Wildcats of New Hampshire in the Buffalo Wild Wings Border Battle. The matchup will be the 114^th all-time meeting and the Black Bears will be looking to take back the Brice-Cowell Musket for the first time since the 2021 season.

Reservations are being accepted for 2026 season tickets by visiting https://um-tickets.evenue.net/events/ATHFBDEP or clicking here.

-UMaine-