Appalachian State’s 2026 football schedule features four confirmed non-conference games starting September 5, 2026, against Maine at Kidd Brewer Stadium, with eight Sun Belt Conference matchups to be announced by the league office in March 2026.
Table of Contents
2026 App State Football Schedule: Confirmed Game Dates
The Mountaineers open their season under second-year head coach Dowell Loggains with four scheduled non-conference opponents between September 5 and September 26, 2026.
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, September 5, 2026 | Maine | Kidd Brewer Stadium, Boone, NC |
| Saturday, September 12, 2026 | at East Carolina | Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Greenville, NC |
| Saturday, September 19, 2026 | Charlotte | Kidd Brewer Stadium, Boone, NC |
| Saturday, September 26, 2026 | at NC State | Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC |
Spring Game: Battle at The Rock
Appalachian State hosts its annual spring game on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Kidd Brewer Stadium. The event provides fans with their first look at the roster rebuild following the addition of 64 newcomers (29 December signees and 35 transfer portal additions).
Sun Belt Conference Schedule 2026
The Sun Belt Conference typically releases complete game dates and kickoff times in early March each season. Appalachian State plays eight conference games in 2026 as a member of the Sun Belt East Division.
Confirmed Sun Belt Home Games (Dates TBD)
- James Madison
- Georgia State
- Old Dominion
- One Sun Belt West Division opponent (TBD)
Confirmed Sun Belt Road Games (Dates TBD)
- at Coastal Carolina (Conway, SC)
- at Marshall (Huntington, WV)
- at Georgia Southern (Statesboro, GA)
- at One Sun Belt West Division opponent (TBD)
App State Season Opener 2026: Maine Black Bears
Appalachian State opens its 2026 season on Saturday, September 5, 2026, hosting the Maine Black Bears at Kidd Brewer Stadium. This marks the first meeting between the programs since Maine transitioned to FBS competition.
The season opener represents Dowell Loggains’ second year as head coach following a 5-8 record in his 2025 debut season, which ended the program’s six-year bowl game winning streak.
Home Opener Details
Venue: Kidd Brewer Stadium
Capacity: 30,000
Elevation: 3,333 feet (highest FBS stadium east of the Mississippi River)
Season ticket pricing: $430 (Gold/East VIP sections)
Student tickets: Historically priced at $25 for the 2025 season
Major Non-Conference Matchups
App State at NC State: September 26, 2026
The Mountaineers travel to Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh on Saturday, September 26, 2026, for their first meeting with NC State since 2006. This matchup represents Appalachian State’s marquee non-conference game against an ACC opponent.
Historical context: NC State holds a significant advantage in the all-time series. The 2026 game provides App State an opportunity to compete against Power Four conference competition during the program’s rebuild phase.
App State at East Carolina: September 12, 2026
Appalachian State visits Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in Greenville on Saturday, September 12, 2026, renewing one of North Carolina’s most intense football rivalries. The matchup features two programs separated by approximately 250 miles across the state.
App State vs Charlotte: September 19, 2026
The 49ers visit Kidd Brewer Stadium on Saturday, September 19, 2026, for a rematch of the 2025 season opener. Charlotte competes in the American Athletic Conference.
Kidd Brewer Stadium: Home Game Information
Appalachian State hosts five confirmed home games in 2026 at Kidd Brewer Stadium, nicknamed “The Rock.”
Stadium Specifications
Official capacity: 30,000
Location: Boone, North Carolina
Elevation: 3,333 feet above sea level
Coordinates: 36.214°N, 81.686°W
Future development: East Tower expansion planning underway for premium seating and concessions
Parking and Tailgating
Kidd Brewer Stadium offers multiple parking zones surrounding the facility. The elevated mountain location requires planning for weather conditions, particularly for late-season games when temperatures can drop significantly below valley areas.
2026 Roster Rebuild Under Dowell Loggains
Appalachian State enters 2026 with extensive roster turnover following head coach Dowell Loggains’ first season. The program added 64 total newcomers between December 2025 signing day and the spring 2026 transfer portal window.
Key Transfer Portal Addition
Malachi Singleton (Quarterback): Dual-threat quarterback who previously played at Purdue and Arkansas. Singleton represents the centerpiece of Loggains’ offensive rebuild, bringing experience in NFL-style schemes that align with the head coach’s background as an offensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins.
Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Dowell Loggains (2nd season)
Offensive Coordinator: Mike Anthony
Defensive Coordinator: DJ Smith
Loggains was hired on December 7, 2024, replacing Shawn Clark following the program’s first losing season since 2014.
Sun Belt Conference Context for 2026
Appalachian State competes in the Sun Belt East Division with seven other teams. The conference championship game typically occurs in early December.
Primary Conference Rivalries
Georgia Southern Eagles: Annual matchup dating to 1993, known as the “Deeper Than Hate” rivalry
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers: Emerging Sun Belt rivalry since 2016
Marshall Thundering Herd: Historical rivalry featuring the “Battle for the Old Mountain Jug” trophy (App State leads 17-11)
The 2026 conference schedule will determine specific dates for these matchups when released in March.
App State Football TV Schedule 2026
Television broadcast information for the 2026 season will be announced as kickoff times are finalized. Appalachian State games typically appear on ESPN family networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+) based on historical broadcast patterns.
Expected Broadcast Partners
- ESPN
- ESPN2
- ESPNU
- ESPN+ (streaming)
- Regional App State sports network productions
Networks typically announce game assignments 6-12 days before kickoff for regular-season contests.
How to Buy App State Football Tickets 2026
Season Tickets
Price: $430 for Gold/East VIP section seating
Payment options: Full payment or installment plans available
Aisle seat upgrade: Additional $5 charge per seat
Season ticket holders receive priority access for all home games at Kidd Brewer Stadium, including potential playoff games.
Single-Game Tickets
Price range: $11-$138+, depending on opponent and seat location
Availability: Typically released 4-6 weeks before each home game
Resale platforms: SeatGeek and other third-party vendors
Student Tickets
Appalachian State undergraduate students receive discounted ticket pricing through the university athletics department. The 2025 student season ticket price was $25.
App State Football Schedule 2026 Printable PDF
Official printable schedule PDFs will be available through App State Athletics (appstatesports.com) once the complete 2026 schedule with kickoff times is finalized in March 2026.
Add to Calendar Options
Fans can typically add Appalachian State’s schedule to digital calendars through:
- Google Calendar (iCal format)
- Apple Calendar
- Outlook Calendar
- Yahoo Calendar
Links become available on the official athletics website following the Sun Belt Conference’s schedule announcement.
Historical Program Context: App State Football Legacy
FCS National Championships
Appalachian State won three consecutive FCS national championships from 2005-2007 under head coach Jerry Moore, establishing the program as one of the most dominant teams in Division I-AA/FCS history.
Championship seasons:
- 2005: Defeated Northern Iowa 21-16
- 2006: Defeated Massachusetts 28-17
- 2007: Defeated Delaware 49-21
The Michigan Upset: September 1, 2007
The Mountaineers defeated #5 Michigan 34-32 at Michigan Stadium on September 1, 2007, marking one of college football’s most significant upsets. The victory occurred during Appalachian State’s third consecutive national championship season as an FCS program.
FBS Transition
Appalachian State joined the Sun Belt Conference in 2014, completing its transition to FBS competition. The program has won four Sun Belt Conference championships (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019).
App State Bowl Game History
The Mountaineers compiled a six-year bowl-winning streak from 2015 to 2020 before missing bowl eligibility in 2021. The program returned to bowl games in 2022-2024 before the 5-8 record in 2025 ended postseason participation.
Recent bowl appearances:
- 2024: Lost to Miami (OH) in Camellia Bowl
- 2023: Lost to Miami (OH) in Camellia Bowl
- 2022: Defeated Western Kentucky in Boca Raton Bowl
The 2026 season requires six wins to achieve bowl eligibility under standard NCAA requirements.
Strength of Schedule Analysis: 2026 Season
Appalachian State’s 2026 schedule features one Power Four opponent (at NC State) and three additional non-conference games against FBS and FCS competition.
Non-Conference Difficulty
Maine (FCS): The transitioning program provides a manageable season opener
at East Carolina (AAC): Road environment against an American Athletic Conference opponent presents a challenge
Charlotte (AAC): Home game against Conference USA program
at NC State (ACC): Most difficult non-conference test against ACC competition
Conference Competition
The Sun Belt East Division features competitive programs, including Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, James Madison, and Marshall. The 2026 schedule balances between home and road conference games (four each) and provides equal opportunity.
Facilities: Sofield Indoor Practice Facility
Appalachian State opened its 85,000-square-foot Sofield Indoor Practice Facility prior to the 2026 season, enhancing year-round training capabilities in Boone’s mountain climate.
Facility Specifications
Size: 85,000 square feet
Features: Full-field indoor practice surface, strength and conditioning equipment, film rooms
Impact: Year-round practice capability regardless of mountain weather conditions
The facility addresses recruiting challenges posed by Boone’s winter weather, providing competitive parity with Sun Belt programs in warmer climates.
App State vs Marshall 2026 Schedule Status
The Mountaineers are confirmed to visit Marshall in Huntington, West Virginia, during the 2026 Sun Belt Conference schedule. The specific date awaits the Sun Belt Conference announcement in March 2026.
Rivalry history: “Battle for the Old Mountain Jug.”
All-time series: Appalachian State leads 17-11
Trophy significance: Traveling jug trophy awarded to the game winner
Georgia Southern Rivalry: “Deeper Than Hate”
Appalachian State’s rivalry with Georgia Southern dates to 1993 and represents one of the Sun Belt Conference’s most intense annual matchups. The 2026 meeting occurs in Statesboro, Georgia, with the specific date pending conference announcement.
Historical context: Both programs dominated FCS competition before transitioning to FBS, creating natural rivalry intensity that transferred to Sun Belt Conference play.
Frequently Asked Questions: App State Football Schedule 2026
When does App State open the 2026 football season?
Saturday, September 5, 2026, hosting Maine at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, North Carolina.
Is App State playing at NC State in 2026?
Yes. Appalachian State travels to Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh on Saturday, September 26, 2026, for the first meeting between the programs since 2006.
Where can I download a printable App State 2026 schedule PDF?
App State Athletics (appstatesports.com) and FBSchedules.com publish downloadable PDF schedules once kickoff times are finalized in March 2026.
What channel will App State games be on in 2026?
ESPN family networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+) typically broadcast Appalachian State games. Specific channel assignments are announced 6-12 days before each game.
How much are App State season tickets for 2026?
$430 for Gold/East VIP section seats at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Single-game tickets range from $11-$138+, depending on opponent and location.
When will the full Sun Belt Conference schedule be released?
The Sun Belt Conference typically announces complete game dates and kickoff times in early March each season.
What is App State’s stadium elevation?
Kidd Brewer Stadium sits at 3,333 feet above sea level, making it the highest FBS stadium east of the Mississippi River.
Who is App State’s head coach in 2026?
Dowell Loggains enters his second season as head coach after posting a 5-8 record in his 2025 debut following his hiring on December 7, 2024.
Schedule Updates and Announcements
The Sun Belt Conference will release complete 2026 schedule details, including specific dates, kickoff times, and television assignments for all eight conference games in March 2026. Fans can monitor updates through:
- App State Athletics: appstatesports.com/sports/football/schedule/2026
- Sun Belt Conference: sunbeltsports.org
- ESPN: espn.com/college-football/team/schedule/_/id/2026
- FBSchedules: fbschedules.com/appalachian-state
Official announcements typically occur via press release through these channels simultaneously.
Travel Information: Road Games
at East Carolina (September 12, 2026)
Distance from Boone: Approximately 250 miles (4-hour drive)
Stadium: Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Greenville, NC
Capacity: 50,000
Parking: Multiple lots surrounding campus with shuttle service
at NC State (September 26, 2026)
Distance from Boone: Approximately 155 miles (2.5-hour drive)
Stadium: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC
Capacity: 57,583
Parking: Reserved lots and public parking available through NC State athletics
2026 Season Expectations and Bowl Eligibility
Appalachian State requires six wins to achieve bowl eligibility under NCAA regulations. The 2026 schedule provides opportunities through:
- Two home FBS/FCS opponents (Maine, Charlotte)
- Eight Sun Belt Conference games with four home contests
- Competitive divisional schedule against Sun Belt East opponents
The program’s extensive roster rebuild with 64 newcomers creates uncertainty around win total projections. Second-year improvement under Dowell Loggains’ offensive system represents a critical program benchmark.
Conference Championship Path
Sun Belt Conference championship game qualification requires either:
- Division championship (best Sun Belt East record)
- Overall conference record (if divisions are eliminated post-2026 realignment)
Appalachian State won four consecutive Sun Belt championships from 2016 to 2019 but has not reached the conference title game since 2020.
Schedule information is current as of February 10, 2026. Complete Sun Belt Conference schedule with dates and kickoff times pending March 2026 announcement.
