The Syracuse Orange football team plays 12 games during the 2026 season, including 6 home contests at the JMA Wireless Dome and 6 road matchups across the Atlantic Coast Conference and non-conference opponents.
The season opens on Friday, September 5, 2026, against New Hampshire and concludes on Saturday, November 28, 2026, with Notre Dame visiting Syracuse.
Head coach Fran Brown enters his third season leading the program after posting a 10-3 record in his 2024 debut year. The 2026 slate features a 9-game ACC conference schedule under the league’s new unbalanced format, marking Syracuse’s 14th season as an ACC member.
Table of Contents
Complete 2026 Syracuse Football Schedule with Dates and Locations
| Date | Day | Opponent | Location | Venue | Game Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 5, 2026 | Friday | New Hampshire | Syracuse, NY | JMA Wireless Dome | Non-conference |
| September 12, 2026 | Saturday | California | Syracuse, NY | JMA Wireless Dome | Non-conference |
| September 17, 2026 | Thursday | at Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, PA | Acrisure Stadium | ACC |
| September 26, 2026 | Saturday | BYE WEEK | — | — | — |
| October 3, 2026 | Saturday | at UConn | Storrs, CT | Rentschler Field | Non-conference |
| October 10, 2026 | Saturday | at Virginia | Charlottesville, VA | Scott Stadium | ACC |
| October 17, 2026 | Saturday | Louisville | Syracuse, NY | JMA Wireless Dome | ACC |
| October 24, 2026 | Saturday | at North Carolina | Chapel Hill, NC | Kenan Memorial Stadium | ACC |
| October 30 or 31, 2026 | Friday/Saturday | SMU | Syracuse, NY | JMA Wireless Dome | ACC |
| November 6 or 7, 2026 | Friday/Saturday | Clemson | Syracuse, NY | JMA Wireless Dome | ACC |
| November 14, 2026 | Saturday | at NC State | Raleigh, NC | Carter-Finley Stadium | ACC |
| November 21, 2026 | Saturday | at Boston College | Chestnut Hill, MA | Alumni Stadium | ACC |
| November 28, 2026 | Saturday | Notre Dame | Syracuse, NY | JMA Wireless Dome | Non-conference |
Home games (6 total): New Hampshire, California, Louisville, SMU, Clemson, Notre Dame
Road games (6 total): Pittsburgh, UConn, Virginia, North Carolina, NC State, Boston College
Kickoff times and television broadcast assignments remain to be announced for all 12 contests as of February 2026.
Syracuse Home Games at JMA Wireless Dome in 2026
The Orange hosts 6 games at the JMA Wireless Dome during the 2026 season, with a football capacity of 42,774 seats following recent renovations that installed chairback seating throughout the venue.
First Home Game: New Hampshire Wildcats
Friday, September 5, 2026, marks the season opener and the first meeting between Syracuse and New Hampshire in program history. The Wildcats compete in the NCAA FCS Colonial Athletic Association.
California Returns to Syracuse After 59-Year Gap
Saturday, September 12, 2026, California makes its first trip to Syracuse since 1967. The Golden Bears joined the ACC in 2024 as part of conference expansion from the Pac-12.
ACC Home Schedule Features Three Ranked Opponents
| Opponent | Date | Previous Meeting |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville Cardinals | October 17, 2026 | First meeting since 2022 season |
| SMU Mustangs | October 30 or 31, 2026 | First trip to Syracuse since 1932 |
| Clemson Tigers | November 6 or 7, 2026 | Syracuse defeated Clemson 24-17 in 2025 |
The SMU and Clemson games appear on the ACC’s flexible Friday/Saturday television schedule, with final dates to be determined approximately 12 days before each contest.
Notre Dame Season Finale
Saturday, November 28, 2026, Notre Dame visits the JMA Wireless Dome in the final home game. The Fighting Irish defeated Syracuse 70-7 during the 2025 season. Notre Dame leads the all-time series 9-3 and has won 6 consecutive meetings through 2025.
Syracuse Road Games and Away Venues in 2026
Syracuse travels to 6 different stadiums across 5 states during the 2026 season, including the program’s first trip to Charlottesville, Virginia, since 2015.
Thursday Night at Pittsburgh Opens ACC Play
Thursday, September 17, 2026, Syracuse faces Pittsburgh at Acrisure Stadium on a short week following the California home game. This represents the 82nd meeting in the Syracuse-Pittsburgh series. The Thursday scheduling creates a recovery period before the September 26 bye week.
Regional Rivalry at UConn
Saturday, October 3, 2026, the Orange travel to Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut, for the first meeting in Storrs since 2022. Syracuse defeated UConn 27-20 in overtime during the 2025 season. The schools share a historical connection from their Big East Conference membership from 1991 to 2013.
First Virginia Trip in 11 Years
Saturday, October 10, 2026, Syracuse visits Scott Stadium in Charlottesville for the first time since October 17, 2015. Virginia holds a 12-8 advantage in the all-time series.
October Road Trip to Chapel Hill
Saturday, October 24, 2026, the Orange play at Kenan Memorial Stadium against North Carolina. The Tar Heels posted a winning record in 2025.
November Road Stretch
| Date | Opponent | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 14, 2026 | NC State | Carter-Finley Stadium | 57,583 |
| November 21, 2026 | Boston College | Alumni Stadium | 44,500 |
The consecutive road games at NC State and Boston College conclude the regular season before the November 28 home finale against Notre Dame. Boston College represents a traditional season-ending opponent for Syracuse within ACC scheduling.
ACC Conference Schedule Structure for Syracuse in 2026
Syracuse plays 9 ACC conference games during the 2026 season under the league’s new unbalanced scheduling format implemented for the expanded 17-team conference.
Conference Opponents by Division History
Former ACC Atlantic Division opponents (3):
- Louisville (home)
- Clemson (home)
- Boston College (road)
Former ACC Coastal Division opponents (3):
- Pittsburgh (road)
- Virginia (road)
- North Carolina (road)
New ACC members since 2024 (2):
- SMU (home, joined from American Athletic Conference)
- California (home, joined from Pac-12)
Permanent conference opponent (1):
- NC State (road)
The 9-game conference slate eliminates the previous 8-game format that featured divisional pod scheduling through 2025.
Non-Conference Schedule Analysis
Syracuse schedules 3 non-conference opponents in 2026, reduced from 4 games in previous seasons due to the expanded ACC schedule.
FCS Opponent: New Hampshire
New Hampshire competes in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) within the Colonial Athletic Association. The Wildcats provide the lone FCS opponent on the 2026 schedule.
FBS Independent: UConn
UConn operates as an FBS independent program after discontinuing football from 2021 to 2022 and resuming competition in 2022. The Huskies hired head coach Jason Candle prior to the 2026 season after his successful tenure at Toledo.
Notre Dame Partnership
Notre Dame maintains a scheduling agreement with the ACC that requires the Fighting Irish to play 5 ACC opponents annually despite remaining independent in football. Syracuse draws Notre Dame as one of those 5 ACC partnership games in 2026.
JMA Wireless Dome Venue Information and Capacity
The JMA Wireless Dome serves as Syracuse’s on-campus home stadium with a football capacity of 42,774 seats. The facility represents the only domed stadium in the northeastern United States and provides climate-controlled conditions for all home games.
Recent Facility Updates
Renovations completed in 2024 installed chairback seating throughout the stadium, replacing bench seating and reducing total football capacity from the previous 49,250 configuration.
The updates include:
- Premium seating sections with enhanced sightlines
- Kuhn Gameday Lounge for hospitality experiences
- Modernized concession and restroom facilities
- Upgraded audio and video systems
Stadium Nickname and Atmosphere
Fans refer to the venue as “The Loud House” due to the acoustic properties created by the dome structure. Sound levels during capacity crowds create home-field advantage, particularly during November games when outdoor stadiums face weather challenges.
Ticket Information and Pricing for 2026 Syracuse Football Games
Season ticket packages for the 2026 Syracuse football schedule range from $500 to $1,150, depending on seating section and proximity to the field. Pricing tiers reflect opponent quality, with premium rates for the Notre Dame finale.
Season Ticket Benefits
- Access to all 6 home games at JMA Wireless Dome
- Priority parking options near stadium entrances
- Postseason ticket purchase rights if Syracuse qualifies for a bowl game
- Discounted rates compared to single-game pricing
Single-game ticket availability and pricing for individual matchups will be announced during the summer of 2026, typically 90-120 days before the season opener.
Television Broadcast and Streaming Information
Kickoff times and television assignments for all 12 Syracuse football games in 2026 remain to be announced (TBA) as of February 2026. The ACC typically finalizes broadcast schedules in partnership with ESPN networks during June through August.
Expected Broadcast Partners
Primary carriers:
- ESPN
- ESPN2
- ABC (for marquee matchups)
- ACC Network
Streaming platforms:
- ESPN+ (subscription required)
- ACC Network Extra (digital platform)
The SMU game (October 30 or 31) and Clemson game (November 6 or 7) appear on the ACC’s flexible scheduling window, allowing the conference to select Friday or Saturday kickoffs based on national television demand approximately 12 days before each contest.
Head Coach Fran Brown Entering Third Season
Fran Brown begins his third year as Syracuse’s 31st head coach after the university hired him on November 28, 2023. Brown replaced Dino Babers and immediately posted a 10-3 record during his 2024 debut season, earning 2024 Paul “Bear” Bryant Newcomer Coach of the Year recognition.
Previous Coaching Experience
- Defensive backs coach at the University of Georgia (2022-2023)
- Assistant coach at Temple University
- Recruiting coordinator experience at Rutgers University
Brown’s recruiting connections in the Mid-Atlantic region contributed to Syracuse’s highest-ranked recruiting class in program history for the 2026 cycle, with the class finishing in the top 30 nationally according to major recruiting services.
Key Players and Roster Notes for 2026 Season
Starting quarterback Steve Angeli returns for the 2026 season after suffering a season-ending injury during the 2025 campaign. Angeli transferred to Syracuse from Notre Dame and brings experience facing ACC competition.
Defensive coordinator Vince Kehres joins the Syracuse staff for the 2026 season after previously serving as defensive coordinator at Toledo. Kehres faces his former team when Toledo appears as a non-conference opponent, though this game does not appear on the currently published 12-game schedule.
The roster features impact players from the 2026 recruiting class, Syracuse’s highest-rated group in program history according to national recruiting rankings.
Historical Context: Syracuse in ACC Competition
Syracuse joined the Atlantic Coast Conference on July 1, 2013, after 34 seasons in the Big East Conference (1979-2013). The 2026 season marks Syracuse’s 14th year competing in ACC football.
ACC Performance Since Joining Conference
- Conference championships: 0
- ACC Championship Game appearances: 0
- Bowl game appearances: 6 (2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2022, 2024)
- Overall ACC record through 2025: 34-68 (.333 winning percentage)
The 2024 season under first-year coach Fran Brown produced Syracuse’s first 10-win season since 2018 and highest win total since the 2001 team finished 10-3.
Opponent Win-Loss Records from 2025 Season
Six opponents on Syracuse’s 2026 schedule posted winning records during the 2025 season, providing competitive challenges throughout the campaign.
| Opponent | 2025 Record | Bowl Result |
|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | 12-1 | College Football Playoff participant |
| Clemson | 10-3 | Bowl victory |
| SMU | 11-2 | ACC Championship Game participant |
| Louisville | 9-4 | Bowl victory |
| Pittsburgh | 7-6 | Bowl appearance |
| North Carolina | 8-5 | Bowl appearance |
California, Virginia, NC State, Boston College, and UConn finished with .500 or below records in 2025. New Hampshire competes in FCS and does not face FBS scheduling comparisons.
Bowl Eligibility Requirements and Path
NCAA rules require 6 wins from regular-season games to achieve bowl eligibility for FBS programs. Syracuse must secure 6 victories from the 12-game schedule to qualify for postseason consideration.
Favorable Scheduling Factors
- 6 home games at climate-controlled JMA Wireless Dome
- Bye week (September 26) is positioned after a short Thursday game at Pittsburgh
- 3 non-conference opponents, including 1 FCS team (New Hampshire)
Challenging Factors
- 9 ACC conference games against an expanded conference
- Three opponents (Notre Dame, SMU, Louisville) were projected in the preseason Top 25 rankings
- Consecutive road games at NC State and Boston College in November
Parking and Gameday Logistics at JMA Wireless Dome
On-campus parking lots surrounding the JMA Wireless Dome provide multiple options for fans attending Syracuse home games. Lots typically open 4-5 hours before kickoff to accommodate tailgating activities.
Primary Parking Areas
University-managed lots:
- Skytop Lot (largest capacity, shuttle service to stadium)
- Fine Lot (closest to Dome, premium pricing)
- Manley Fieldhouse Lot (walk-up access)
Off-campus alternatives:
- Downtown Syracuse parking garages (1.5 miles from stadium)
- Residential street parking (restrictions apply on gamedays)
The Syracuse University campus enforces parking permits for certain lots, requiring advance purchase through the athletics ticket office. ADA-accessible parking spaces are available in designated areas near all stadium entry gates.
Series History: Syracuse vs. Notre Dame
Notre Dame holds a 9-3 advantage in the all-time series against Syracuse and has won 6 consecutive games through the 2025 season. The Fighting Irish defeated the Orange 70-7 during the 2025 matchup in South Bend, Indiana.
Previous Meetings
| Season | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | South Bend | Notre Dame 70, Syracuse 7 |
| 2022 | Syracuse | Notre Dame 41, Syracuse 24 |
| 2020 | South Bend | Notre Dame 45, Syracuse 21 |
| 2018 | New York (Yankee Stadium) | Notre Dame 36, Syracuse 3 |
| 2014 | East Rutherford, NJ | Notre Dame 31, Syracuse 15 |
The November 28, 2026, game represents Notre Dame’s second trip to the JMA Wireless Dome, with the first occurring in 2022.
Syracuse Football Stadium Records and Attendance
The JMA Wireless Dome holds Syracuse football attendance records with multiple sellout performances during the program’s 137-season history.
Single-game attendance record: 50,564 vs. Virginia Tech (November 2, 2012)
Average attendance 2024 season: 38,432 per game
Sellout games 2024 season: 2 (vs. Georgia Tech, vs. Miami)
The 42,774 current capacity creates increased sellout potential for marquee opponents compared to the previous 49,250 configuration, particularly for the Notre Dame season finale on November 28, 2026.
Strength of Schedule Analysis for 2026 Season
Syracuse faces a competitive schedule in 2026 with multiple opponents from power conferences and traditional football programs.
Schedule Difficulty Factors
Advantages:
- Only 1 FCS opponent (New Hampshire)
- 6 home games, including 3 against ranked 2025 teams
- The bye week is positioned strategically after a short-week Thursday road game
Challenges:
- 9 conference games against a 17-team ACC
- Road trips to Pittsburgh, Virginia, North Carolina, NC State, Boston College
- Non-conference road game at UConn (regional rivalry intensity)
- Season finale vs. Notre Dame (CFP-caliber opponent)
Computer rankings and preseason projections typically place Syracuse’s 2026 strength of schedule in the top 40 nationally among 133 FBS programs, reflecting the combination of ACC competition and the Notre Dame matchup.
How to Access Syracuse Football Schedule Updates
Official schedule updates, including kickoff times and television assignments, appear on cuse.com, the official athletics website for Syracuse University.
Additional Information Sources
- Syracuse Athletics mobile app (iOS and Android)
- ACC conference website schedule page
- ESPN college football schedule database
- FBSchedules.com (independent schedule aggregator)
Fans can enable push notifications through the Syracuse Athletics app to receive immediate alerts when kickoff times and broadcast information are finalized for individual games, typically announced 6-12 days before each contest for most games and up to several months in advance for nationally televised matchups.
Printable Syracuse Football Schedule Options
Digital downloads of the 2026 Syracuse football schedule in PDF format and calendar file formats (iCal, Google Calendar, Outlook) will become available through cuse.com once kickoff times are confirmed during summer 2026.
Printable schedule versions include:
- Full season calendar with dates and opponents
- Pocket schedule with game times and TV channels
- Wallpaper graphics for desktop and mobile devices
Users can add the complete schedule to personal calendars through one-click imports, ensuring automatic updates if kickoff times change due to television flexibility or weather-related adjustments.
