Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Athletics Announces 2026 Football Schedule
3/13/2026 1:00:00 PM | Football
Homecoming 2026 Set For Sept. 26 vs. Gardner-Webb; Herd hosts App State for ‘75’ game
2026 Marshall Football Tickets
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Football officially has its 2026 football schedule finalized following its release from the Sun Belt Conference and ESPN.
Homecoming 2026 will be a Sept. 26 home game against Gardner-Webb while the Herd will also play its '75' home game on the 56th anniversary of the 1970 Marshall Plane Crash when App State visits Joan C. Edwards Stadium on Nov. 14.
"We are excited to get our 2026 schedule finalized and it should be an exciting schedule for our fans to see," Marshall Football coach Tony Gibson said. "We want to compete for an SBC Championship, and we need our fans with us to do so. We are busy at work in spring practice preparing for the season and look forward to seeing our fans in Joan C. Edwards Stadium for the Spring Game on April 11 and for games this fall."
Marshall's 2026 season gets started with the Thundering Herd traveling to perennial Big Ten power Penn State on Sept. 5 for the program's first-ever contest in Happy Valley.
Following that contest, Marshall opens its home slate with a Sept. 12 matchup against Middle Tennessee. The Herd then travels to Missouri State on Sept. 19 before Homecoming celebration takes place on Sept. 26 against Gardner-Webb.
Be on the lookout for more information regarding Homecoming 2026 in the near future.
The October slate begins Sun Belt Conference play for the Herd with the first game being a trip to take on the defending SBC Champion James Madison Dukes on Oct. 3.
Marshall's next two games are at home with an Oct. 10 matchup against SBC East rival Coastal Carolina and a prime-time Tuesday night contest on Oct. 20 against SBC West foe South Alabama at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
"As part of the Sun Belt Conference's television right agreement with ESPN, member institutions are periodically selected to play nationally-televised mid-week games," said Gerald J. Harrison, Marshall Vice President and Director of Athletics. "While these dates fall outside the traditional Saturday schedule, they provide a unique opportunity to showcase a program and university on a national stage.
"This season, we are proud to represent the Sun Belt Conference in one of ESPN's two Tuesday night contests for the 2026 season. We're excited to welcome ESPN's family of networks into Joan C. Edwards Stadium and show the country what makes the gameday environment in Huntington special. It's a chance to spotlight Herd Nation – the best fans in the Sun Belt Conference – and to welcome South Alabama to the Joan for the first time."
Following a pair of SBC East matchups against Old Dominion (Oct. 31) and Georgia Southern (Nov. 7), the Herd celebrates its annual '75' game on the 56th anniversary of the 1970 Marshall Plane Crash when App State visits Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
The Herd's final regular season home contest is the next week as Georgia State comes to Huntington for Senior Day on Nov. 21 before the team wraps up its regular season on Nov. 28 with its first-ever trip to ULM in football on Nov. 28.
Fans can lock in their season tickets for the 2026 season through Marshall's website by clicking HERE.Â
If you had season tickets last year, you can log onto your account and renew your season tickets. If you are interested in season tickets but didn't have them in 2025, they are on sale now with tickets starting as low as $99 per ticket.Â
A new highlight of your game day experience in 2026 is a family-priced concession stand within Joan C Edwards Stadium. 'Stand 12' will offer $2 hot dogs and popcorn along with $5 pretzels and nachos.
The Dutch Miller Deck is also back for the 2026 season after a very successful inaugural season. Fans can enjoy an unparalleled experience with unique vantage points that puts you on top of the action while offering unlimited food and drink. The cost per ticket is $2,500 and can be purchased by reaching out to Emily Suter at Emily.suter@marshall.edu
Additional details, including giveaways and special guests, for each week's contest will be available closer to the season, so be sure to follow Marshall Athletics and Marshall Football on social media outlets (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) and check back to HerdZone.com for the most up-to-date information.
Times and television considerations for the 2026 season will be released by the Sun Belt Conference and ESPN later this spring.
Marshall's annual Spring Game is set for 3 p.m. on April 11.Â
2026 Marshall Football ScheduleÂ
Sept. 5 at Penn State
Sept. 12 Middle Tennessee
Sept. 19 at Missouri State
Sept. 26 Gardner-Webb#
Oct. 3 at JMU*
Oct. 10 Coastal Carolina*
Oct. 20 South Alabama*
Oct. 31 at Old Dominion*
Nov. 7 at Georgia Southern*
Nov. 14 App State*
Nov. 21 Georgia State*
Nov. 28 at ULM*
* = Sun Belt Conference game
# = Homecoming 2026
2026 Home Game Themes
g Sept. 12 vs. Middle Tennessee – "We Are … Marshall"
      Attire: Wear Green!Â
g Sept. 26 vs. Gardner-Webb – Homecoming 2026
      Attire: Helmet Stripe The Joan!Â
g Oct. 10 vs. Coastal Carolina – "We Are … Herd Strong!"
g Oct. 20 vs. South Alabama – "Herd House Party!"
g Nov. 14 vs. App State – "We Are … Playing For The 75!"
         Attire: Wear Black!
g Nov. 21 vs. Georgia State – Salute To Service!
         Attire: Wear White!
ÂFor all the latest information about Marshall Football, follow @HerdFB on Twitter and @Herd_FB on Instagram.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS and Android.
 ---HerdZone.com---
