Samford vs North Alabama in Huntsville, 2026 Football Schedule Finalized
Samford has officially finalized their 2026 football schedule and the first of the John Grass era. The season opener will officially be in Week 0 on Saturday August 29th in Huntsville against North Alabama. This is the first matchup between Samford and North Alabama since 2002. The game is slated to kick off at 6:00pm central time with the TV assignment to be announced at a later date. The matchup was officially announced earlier this week.
“We are excited about the opportunity to open the 2026 season and the John Grass era at this great venue in Huntsville,” Samford Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Martin Newton said. “Taking on a quality in‑state opponent at a neutral site is a great way to kick off the season, and we are thankful to the city of Huntsville and the Huntsville Sports Commission for this opportunity. We look forward to a great experience at Joe Davis Stadium on August 29.”
This is not the first time Samford has played a Week 0 game. Samford played Youngstown State in the 2019 FCS Kickoff game in Montgomery, Alabama.
This season Samford will not have to leave the state throughout the course of their non-conference schedule. Last season, Samford traveled to the state of Texas for two buy games at Baylor and Texas A&M. Samford will play UNA in Huntsville, host Southern Illinois then play at UAB and Auburn for their 2026 non-conference slate.
The Southern Conference will remain with an 8-game conference schedule even with the addition of Tennessee Tech into the league.
New Samford head coach John Grass and staff are continuing to add via the transfer portal and you can stay up to date on that via our transfer portal tracker.
Here is Samford’s full 2026 football schedule
8/29 - North Alabama (in Huntsville, AL)
9/5 - Southern Illinois
9/12 - at Tennessee Tech
9/19 - BYE
10/3 - at UAB
10/10 - at Chattanooga
10/17 - Mercer
10/24 - at Furman
10/31 - Wofford
11/07 - at ETSU
11/14 - Western Carolina
11/21 - at Auburn
