DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman Football has released its schedule for the 2026 season. The fourth season of coach
Raymond Woodie Jr.'s tenure will consist of six home contests at Daytona Stadium, five road games, and will conclude with the Florida Blue Florida Classic against Florida A&M.
The Wildcats will open 2026 with road matchup against the UCF Knights at the Acrisure Bounce House. The game, set for September 3, will be the 18th all-time meeting between the two programs. B-CU last played UCF in 2021.
Bethune-Cookman's home opener will come against their Volusia County counterparts, the Stetson Hatters, on September 12. This will be the first ever meeting between the two schools in football. The game will be the first of a four-game home stand that stretches into conference play.
Homecoming, set for September 19 - will feature a matchup against Virginia Lynchburg. This will be the Wildcat's second ever game against the Dragons. The first came in 2018 - a 79-16 rout in favor of B-CU.
Homecoming isn't about timing. It's about identity. At Bethune-Cookman, we don't wait for moments—we create them. Built by a trailblazer. Powered by purpose. Tradition honored. Confidence unmatched. Whenever Homecoming lands, it lands with meaning. Wildcats. All of us, all in.
2025 Cricket Celebration Bowl Champion South Carolina State will visit Daytona Beach on September 26. The two former MEAC rivals met last year following a three-year hiatus in the series, with SCSU coming out on top despite a furious second-half Wildcat rally.
To close out the first homestand of the season, B-CU hosts Alabama State to begin SWAC play (October 3). The Hornets narrowly escaped Daytona Stadium with a win in B-CU's last home meeting with Alabama State by a final score of 26-21.
The following weeks will feature back-to-back road games against Alabama A&M (October 10) and Mississippi Valley State (October 17). B-CU completed wins against each team last year and looks to win its fifth in a row against the Delta Devils.
The Cats will then host the 2025 SWAC runner-up Jackson State Tigers (October 24) before heading back on the road to face Arkansas Pine-Bluff (October 31) and Southern (November 7). The Wildcats have never lost to the Golden Lions in their history (3-0).
The final game at Daytona Stadium will be against the Grambling State Tigers (November 14), which will also serve as the program's annual Senior Day. Bethune-Cookman will then turn its attention to the annual Florida Blue Florida Classic against the Florida A&M Rattlers. The game is scheduled for November 21, with the Wildcats looking to make it back-to-back wins over the Rattlers after a thrilling 38-34 walk-off win in the 2025 edition of the event.
The complete 2026 football schedule can be viewed by clicking HERE. Ticket information will be released in the coming weeks.
Follow Bethune-Cookman Football on Twitter/X (@BCUGridiron) for all the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter/X (@BCUAthletics), Instagram (@BCU_Athletics) and BCUAthletics.com.
