Arkansas State Announces 2026 Football Schedule
The Arkansas State football program has unveiled its full 2026 schedule, a slate that features six home games at Centennial Bank Stadium and a mix of familiar rivals and challenging non-conference matchups.
The Red Wolves will open their sixth season under head coach Butch Jones with four non-conference contests before beginning Sun Belt Conference play in early October.
Arkansas State begins the 2026 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 5, with a trip to face Memphis Tigers football in Memphis. The matchup renews the most-played series in program history, marking the 61st meeting between the two programs.
The Red Wolves will make their home debut the following week when they host West Georgia Wolves football on Sept. 12 at Centennial Bank Stadium.
Arkansas State then travels to face TCU Horned Frogs football in Fort Worth on Sept. 19 before wrapping up non-conference play at home against Kennesaw State Owls football on Sept. 26. Kennesaw State enters the matchup as the reigning Conference USA champion.
Conference action begins Oct. 3 when Arkansas State travels to face Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns football in Lafayette. It will mark the first time since 2010 that Louisiana serves as Arkansas State’s conference-opening opponent.
The Red Wolves will quickly return home for a midweek nationally televised matchup against South Alabama Jaguars football on Thursday, Oct. 8.
Arkansas State then hits the road again to face Southern Miss Golden Eagles football on Oct. 17 before returning to Jonesboro for homecoming against Georgia State Panthers football on Oct. 24.
After a bye week, the Red Wolves host ULM Warhawks football on Nov. 7 before closing the road portion of the schedule with trips to Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football on Nov. 14 and Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football later in November. The Louisiana Tech game will be played Nov. 19, 20 or 21, with the exact date to be determined.
Arkansas State wraps up the regular season at home Nov. 28 against Troy Trojans football.
The Sun Belt Conference Football Championship Game is scheduled for Dec. 4.
The Red Wolves enter the 2026 season with significant momentum. Arkansas State is one of just 15 teams nationally to win a bowl game in each of the past two seasons.
The program also recently announced a recruiting class featuring 58 players, with 57 of them leading their high school teams to the state playoffs.
Arkansas State returns 10 starters from last season — seven on offense and three on defense — along with 41 total letterwinners.
Spring preparations begin March 16, culminating with the annual Pack Day Spring Game on April 25 in Jonesboro.
A total of 46 members of the 2026 recruiting class are expected to participate in spring camp.
2026 Arkansas State Football Schedule
Sept. 5 — at Memphis
Sept. 12 — vs. West Georgia
Sept. 19 — at TCU
Sept. 26 — vs. Kennesaw State
Oct. 3 — at Louisiana*
Oct. 8 — vs. South Alabama* (Thursday)
Oct. 17 — at Southern Miss*
Oct. 24 — vs. Georgia State* (Homecoming)
Nov. 7 — vs. ULM*
Nov. 14 — at Coastal Carolina*
Nov. 19/20/21 — at Louisiana Tech* (date TBD)
Nov. 28 — vs. Troy*
*Sun Belt Conference game