Arkansas State Announces Themes, Promotions for 2026 Home Football Schedule
Arkansas State Athletics has announced its game themes, promotions and special events for the 2026 Red Wolves football season, highlighted by the department-wide theme, “Our Pack. Our Den. Our Pride.”
The newly introduced theme is intended to emphasize the connection among Arkansas State’s teams, fans and community.
“Our Pack” represents the Red Wolves family and athletic teams, while “Our Den” focuses on the home-field advantage created by fans at Arkansas State athletic facilities. “Our Pride” highlights the university’s athletic traditions and history.
The theme will be featured throughout the football season through stadium giveaways, game-day promotions, nationally televised games and anniversary celebrations.
Arkansas State will play six home games at Centennial Bank Stadium, including five Saturday contests and a nationally televised Thursday night game against South Alabama on Oct. 8.
Game sponsors and giveaways will be announced later.
Season tickets are on sale and begin at $40 for general-admission seating in the upper east stands. Tickets are available through the Arkansas State Athletics website or by calling the ticket office at (870) 972-2781.
The Red Wolves will open their home schedule at 6 p.m. Sept. 12 against West Georgia.
The home opener will feature a “Paint the Vault Red” theme and serve as the culmination of Paint the Town Red Week.
Activities will include a Wednesday morning kickoff pep rally at Fox Meadow School of Creative Media and a Friday night downtown community event hosted by the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce. Fans are encouraged to wear red to the game.
Arkansas State will also recognize Extra Yard for Teachers Week through College Football Playoff Foundation grants.
Students will be invited to attend “OT in the Pines” after the game for a postgame party featuring music, food and drinks. The event will be co-sponsored by the Student Activities Board.
Arkansas State will host Kennesaw State at 6 p.m. Sept. 26 for Family Night.
The game will be held in conjunction with Family Weekend, Youth Sports Day and an A-State Pack Preview.
Area high school musicians will join Arkansas State’s marching band, The Sound of the Natural State, for the annual Band Day halftime performance.
The university will also recognize the 40th anniversary of the 1986 Arkansas State football team, which finished as the national runner-up and won the Southland Conference championship.
The 35th annual Old Warriors Cookout will be held, and Arkansas State students will be invited to a second “OT in the Pines” postgame celebration.
The Red Wolves will host South Alabama at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, in a nationally televised Sun Belt Conference game.
The contest will feature a “Prime Time Black Out” theme, with fans encouraged to wear black.
The Student Activities Board’s “Growl on the Gridiron” competition will be held in the student section before or during the game. Arkansas State Athletics will also recognize university employees as part of Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day.
Homecoming is scheduled for Oct. 24, when Arkansas State hosts Georgia State at 6 p.m.
The game will be part of the university’s Homecoming 2026 activities and will include Distinguished Alumni celebrations and the Arkansas State Athletics Hall of Honor induction.
A special pregame concert will be held in Dustin White Realty Tailgate City in partnership with the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home.
Arkansas State will host Louisiana-Monroe at 2 p.m. Nov. 7 for “USA 250 Day,” commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States.
The game will also feature Heroes Day, Ag Day, Paragould Day and another A-State Pack Preview.
Arkansas State’s ROTC program will recognize its 2026 Hall of Heroes inductees, and an in-game commissioning ceremony will be conducted.
The university will also celebrate the 30th anniversary of Arkansas State’s Ring of Honor, which was established in 1996.
The Red Wolves will close their regular-season home schedule against Troy at 2 p.m. Nov. 28.
The game will serve as Fan Appreciation Day and Senior Day. Arkansas State will recognize the team’s seniors and offer special concession promotions for fans.
A holiday food drive will also be held in partnership with the A-State Food Bank.