The Wake Forest Demon Deacons football schedule for 2026 comprises 12 games, featuring 7 home contests at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium and 5 road matchups against Atlantic Coast Conference and non-conference opponents.
The season opens Thursday, September 3, 2026, against Akron and concludes Saturday, November 28, 2026, versus Duke on Senior Day.
Table of Contents
2026 Wake Forest Football Schedule Overview
Wake Forest enters the 2026 season under head coach Jake Dickert, marking his second year leading the program after a 9-4 debut campaign in 2025.
The schedule represents a historic transition period as the Demon Deacons compete in their first season under the ACC’s new 9-game conference format, expanding from the previous 8-game model.
Complete Wake Forest Football Schedule 2026
| Date | Day | Opponent | Location | Conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 3 | Thursday | Akron | Winston-Salem, NC | Non-Conference |
| September 12 | Saturday | at Purdue | West Lafayette, IN | Non-Conference |
| September 18 | Friday | Miami | Winston-Salem, NC | ACC |
| September 26 | Saturday | at Louisville | Louisville, KY | ACC |
| October 3 | Saturday | Stanford | Winston-Salem, NC | ACC |
| October 10 | Saturday | at NC State | Raleigh, NC | ACC |
| October 17 | Saturday | at Cal | Berkeley, CA | ACC |
| October 24 | Saturday | BYE WEEK | — | — |
| October 31 | Saturday | Virginia | Winston-Salem, NC | ACC |
| November 7 | Saturday | Merrimack | Winston-Salem, NC | Non-Conference (Homecoming) |
| November 14 | Saturday | at SMU | Dallas, TX | ACC |
| November 21 | Saturday | at Georgia Tech | Atlanta, GA | ACC |
| November 28 | Saturday | Duke | Winston-Salem, NC | ACC |
Home vs Away Breakdown
Wake Forest plays 7 home games at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium and 5 road games in 2026. The home schedule includes 5 ACC conference opponents (Miami, Stanford, Virginia, Duke) plus 2 non-conference matchups (Akron, Merrimack).
Home Games (7):
- Akron (September 3)
- Miami (September 18)
- Stanford (October 3)
- Virginia (October 31)
- Merrimack (November 7)
- Duke (November 28)
Road Games (5):
- at Purdue (September 12)
- at Louisville (September 26)
- at NC State (October 10)
- at Cal (October 17)
- at SMU (November 14)
- at Georgia Tech (November 21)
Key Matchups in the 2026 Wake Forest Football Schedule
Thursday Season Opener: Akron (September 3, 2026)
Wake Forest begins the 2026 campaign on Thursday, September 3, 2026, hosting Akron at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. This weekday opener marks a rare scheduling decision, occurring during the first week of fall semester classes.
The Akron matchup represents the Demon Deacons’ lone non-conference home game before their Friday night showdown against Miami. Thursday kickoffs typically accommodate television broadcast windows on ESPN networks, though specific game times remain unannounced as of February 2026.
Friday Night Primetime: Miami (September 18, 2026)
The Friday, September 18, 2026, game versus Miami stands as the marquee home contest of the season. The Hurricanes finished the 2025 campaign as national runners-up, elevating this matchup to potential College Football Playoff implications.
Friday night ACC games historically receive prominent broadcast placement on ESPN, ESPN2, or ABC, drawing enhanced viewership compared to Saturday afternoon windows. The Miami game represents Wake Forest’s first major conference test at home following the road opener at Purdue.
NC State Rivalry Game (October 10, 2026)
Wake Forest travels to Raleigh on Saturday, October 10, 2026, to face NC State in the second-longest continuously played rivalry in FBS history. The series dates to 1910, with 119 total meetings through 2025. NC State leads the all-time series 70-43-6.
This annual matchup holds significance beyond conference standings, representing Wake Forest’s primary in-state rivalry following periodic scheduling pauses with North Carolina. The 2026 meeting occurs at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.
Duke Senior Day Finale (November 28, 2026)
The regular season concludes Saturday, November 28, 2026, with Duke visiting Winston-Salem for Senior Day ceremonies. The Blue Devils defeated Wake Forest en route to the 2025 ACC Championship, establishing this finale as a potential revenge game narrative.
Duke leads the all-time series 62-41-2 across 101 historical meetings. The 2026 matchup marks the final home game for Wake Forest’s senior class, occurring in late November following the traditional Thanksgiving break.
ACC Conference Schedule Changes for 2026
Transition to 9-Game ACC Slate
The 2026 season marks Wake Forest’s first year under the ACC’s expanded 9-game conference schedule, increasing from 8 conference games in previous seasons. This structural change reduces non-conference scheduling flexibility while strengthening the overall strength of schedule metrics.
Wake Forest’s 9 ACC opponents in 2026:
- Miami (home)
- Stanford (home)
- Virginia (home)
- Duke (home)
- Louisville (road)
- NC State (road)
- Cal (road)
- SMU (road)
- Georgia Tech (road)
The ACC implemented this schedule format to accommodate conference expansion, adding California, Stanford, and SMU to the league roster. Wake Forest faces both California (road) and Stanford (home) in 2026, representing the Demon Deacons’ first-ever meetings with these programs.
First-Ever Trip to California
Wake Forest travels to Berkeley on Saturday, October 17, 2026, marking the program’s inaugural visit to California. This coast-to-coast matchup occurs midseason, positioned between the NC State rivalry game and the midseason bye week.
The Cal game represents one of 5 total road contests in 2026, creating unique logistical challenges for East Coast-based fans planning travel. Berkeley’s Memorial Stadium seats 63,000, significantly exceeding Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium’s 31,500 capacity.
Non-Conference Opponents
Purdue Road Test (September 12, 2026)
Wake Forest visits West Lafayette, Indiana, on Saturday, September 12, 2026, for a Big Ten-ACC crossover matchup against Purdue. This represents the Demon Deacons’ first trip to Purdue since the expansion of inter-conference scheduling partnerships.
Ross-Ade Stadium holds 57,236 fans, providing an early-season road environment significantly larger than Wake Forest’s home venue. The Purdue matchup occurs one week after the Thursday opener versus Akron, creating a condensed preparation window.
Homecoming vs Merrimack (November 7, 2026)
Wake Forest hosts Merrimack for Homecoming 2026 on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Merrimack competes in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), providing a strategic late-season tuneup before three consecutive ACC road games.
This marks the final non-conference contest of the season, positioned between the Virginia home game and the road trip to SMU. FCS opponents frequently appear on Power Four schedules to balance competitive difficulty across 12-game seasons.
Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium: Venue Details
Stadium Capacity and Seating
Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium seats 31,500 fans, representing the smallest permanent capacity among all Power Four conference stadiums and the entire ACC. The venue opened in 1968, located 1 mile from Wake Forest’s main campus along Deacon Boulevard.
The single-tier design places fans in close proximity to the field level, creating an intimate atmosphere compared to multi-level stadiums exceeding 60,000 capacity. Wake Forest added 54 premium club seats in 2024, enhancing revenue generation despite overall capacity constraints.
Seating Capacity Comparison
| Stadium | Conference | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium (Wake Forest) | ACC | 31,500 |
| Wallace Wade Stadium (Duke) | ACC | 40,004 |
| Vanderbilt Stadium (Vanderbilt) | SEC | 40,550 |
| Northwestern University (Ryan Field) | Big Ten | 47,130 |
| Boston College Alumni Stadium | ACC | 44,500 |
Wake Forest’s stadium size reflects institutional priorities, balancing athletic facilities with academic infrastructure. The 31,500 capacity supports sellout potential during marquee games while maintaining manageable operational costs.
Stadium Location and Accessibility
The stadium sits at coordinates 36.103°N, 80.279°W in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The venue borders Reynolds Boulevard and Deacon Boulevard, providing direct vehicle access from Interstate 40 and Business Route 421.
A new mixed-use development called The Grounds opened adjacent to the stadium in 2025, adding retail, dining, and hospitality options within walking distance. This $150 million project impacts gameday parking configurations starting in 2026, requiring fans to reference updated parking maps.
Jake Dickert’s Second Season as Head Coach
2025 Debut Season Results
Jake Dickert completed his first season as Wake Forest head coach with a 9-4 record in 2025, including a Duke’s Mayo Bowl victory over Mississippi State (43-29). This turnaround followed Dickert’s December 2024 hiring from Washington State, where he compiled a 23-21 record across four seasons.
The 9-4 finish marked Wake Forest’s first bowl victory since 2022, establishing momentum entering the 2026 campaign. Dickert’s offensive coordinator, Rob Ezell, received a contract extension through 2026, ensuring staff continuity.
2026 Roster Composition
Wake Forest added 24+ transfer portal acquisitions for the 2026 season, addressing depth concerns across multiple position groups:
Key Transfers:
- QB Gio Lopez (from North Carolina)
- OL Ethan Calloway (from LSU)
- WR Antonio Meeks (from Louisville)
- DL Sydir Mitchell (from Texas)
Quarterback Grant Lawless headlines the recruiting class as a 4-star prospect ranked 258th nationally, representing the highest-rated quarterback commitment in recent program history.
Coaching Staff Continuity
Rob Ezell enters his second season as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach following his 2025 contract extension. Ezell’s offensive system averaged 28.4 points per game in 2025, ranking 6th in the ACC.
Dickert retained defensive coordinator Brad Lambert from the previous coaching staff, maintaining schematic consistency on that side of the ball. The coaching stability contrasts with conference peers experiencing offseason turnover.
TV Schedule and Broadcast Information
Expected Broadcast Partners
Wake Forest’s 2026 television schedule remains unannounced as of February 2026. ACC games typically appear on ESPN networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ACC Network) or ABC, with specific assignments released in March or April 2026.
The Friday, September 18, Miami game projects to receive primetime broadcast placement, likely on ESPN or ABC, given the Hurricanes’ national profile. Thursday’s season opener against Akron fits the ACC Network’s weeknight programming strategy.
Historical Broadcast Patterns
Wake Forest’s 2025 schedule featured:
- 4 games on ACC Network
- 3 games on ESPN or ESPN2
- 2 games on ABC
- 3 games on regional broadcasts
Conference matchups against ranked opponents (Miami, Duke) historically receive enhanced broadcast windows compared to non-conference contests. The NC State rivalry game typically airs on regional sports networks or the ACC Network.
Ticket Information and Attendance
Season Ticket Pricing
Wake Forest Athletics operates season ticket sales through the official website at godeacs.com. Pricing tiers reflect seat location within Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium’s single-tier configuration, with premium club seats commanding higher rates following 2024 renovations.
Student tickets utilize a separate allocation system, with undergraduate enrollment at Wake Forest totaling approximately 5,400 students. The Thursday, September 3 opener against Akron occurs during the first week of the fall semester, potentially affecting student section turnout.
Single-Game Availability
Individual game tickets are released following season ticket holder priority windows, typically 4-6 weeks before each contest. Premium matchups (Miami, Duke) historically sell out in advance, while non-conference games (Akron, Merrimack) maintain general availability through gameday.
The Homecoming game versus Merrimack on Saturday, November 7, 2026, attracts alumni attendance beyond typical season patterns, driving increased ticket demand despite the FCS opponent.
Historical Context and Program Trajectory
Recent Bowl Appearances
Wake Forest appeared in bowl games in 2021 (Gator Bowl), 2022 (Gasparilla Bowl), and 2025 (Duke’s Mayo Bowl). The program achieved an ACC Atlantic Division title in 2021 under former head coach Dave Clawson, marking the program’s most successful recent period.
The 2025 Duke’s Mayo Bowl victory (43-29 over Mississippi State) represented Jake Dickert’s first postseason win as Wake Forest head coach, establishing early credibility in his tenure.
ACC Standing and Competitive Position
Wake Forest finished 5-3 in ACC play during 2025, tied for 4th in the conference standings. The 2026 schedule features 6 conference opponents that finished .500 or better in 2025 conference play: Miami, Duke, Louisville, NC State, SMU, and Georgia Tech.
Strength of schedule projections place Wake Forest’s 2026 slate in the upper half of ACC difficulty, driven by the Miami home game and road contests at Cal, SMU, and Georgia Tech.
NC State Rivalry History
The Wake Forest-NC State series dates to 1910, spanning 119 total meetings through 2025. NC State holds a 70-43-6 all-time advantage, representing the second-longest continuously played rivalry in FBS football behind only Minnesota-Wisconsin (1890).
Recent series results favor NC State, winning 8 of the last 10 meetings through 2025. Wake Forest’s last victory came in 2021 (45-42), occurring during the Demon Deacons’ ACC Atlantic Division championship season.
Travel Considerations for Road Games
Cross-Country Trip to California
The Saturday, October 17, 2026, game at Cal requires cross-country travel from Winston-Salem to Berkeley, spanning approximately 2,500 miles. This represents Wake Forest’s first-ever visit to California for a football game.
Memorial Stadium in Berkeley sits adjacent to the San Andreas Fault, creating unique seismic engineering considerations. The stadium underwent $321 million in renovations between 2010 and 2012, maintaining its hillside location overlooking San Francisco Bay.
Regional ACC Road Games
Wake Forest travels to four regional ACC opponents in 2026:
- Louisville (September 26): 380 miles, 6-hour drive
- NC State (October 10): 100 miles, 1.5-hour drive
- SMU (November 14): 1,100 miles, Dallas location
- Georgia Tech (November 21): 330 miles, 5-hour drive
The NC State rivalry game in Raleigh represents the shortest road trip, allowing potential day-trip attendance for Winston-Salem-based fans. The SMU game in Dallas marks Wake Forest’s first visit to the Dallas area since 1949.
Strength of Schedule Analysis
ACC Opponent Win Percentages (2025)
| Opponent | 2025 Overall Record | 2025 ACC Record | Conference Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | 12-1 | 8-0 | 1st (Atlantic) |
| Duke | 10-3 | 6-2 | ACC Champion |
| SMU | 11-2 | 7-1 | 2nd (Atlantic) |
| Louisville | 8-4 | 5-3 | 4th (Atlantic) |
| NC State | 7-5 | 4-4 | 6th (Atlantic) |
| Georgia Tech | 6-6 | 3-5 | 8th (Atlantic) |
| Stanford | 5-7 | 2-6 | 10th (Atlantic) |
| Virginia | 4-8 | 1-7 | 11th (Atlantic) |
| Cal | 6-6 | 3-5 | 8th (Atlantic) |
Wake Forest faces 5 opponents that finished above .500 in 2025 ACC play (Miami, Duke, SMU, Louisville, NC State), representing a challenging conference slate.
Non-Conference Opponent Strength
- Purdue (Big Ten): 4-8 overall in 2025, 2-7 in Big Ten play
- Akron (MAC): 3-9 overall in 2025, 2-6 in MAC play
- Merrimack (FCS/Northeast Conference): 7-4 in 2025 FCS season
The non-conference schedule balances difficulty with a Power Four opponent (Purdue), a Group of Five opponent (Akron), and an FCS opponent (Merrimack). This structure aligns with standard Power Four scheduling strategies, prioritizing bowl eligibility pathways.
Bowl Eligibility Projections
Path to 6 Wins
Wake Forest requires 6 wins from 12 games to achieve bowl eligibility in 2026. Projected win probability models based on 2025 performance data and historical trends suggest:
High-Probability Wins (>70%):
- Akron (home)
- Merrimack (home)
- Virginia (home)
- Stanford (home)
Medium-Probability Wins (40-60%):
- Purdue (road)
- Georgia Tech (road)
Low-Probability Wins (<30%):
- Miami (home)
- Louisville (road)
- NC State (road)
- Cal (road)
- SMU (road)
- Duke (home)
A conservative 6-6 projection assumes victories over Akron, Merrimack, Virginia, Stanford, Purdue, and one upset from the medium/low probability category.
ACC Bowl Tie-Ins
The ACC maintains bowl agreements with 13 postseason games for 2026, including:
- ACC Championship Game participant to the College Football Playoff or the New Year’s Six bowl
- TaxSlayer Gator Bowl (Jacksonville, FL)
- Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl (El Paso, TX)
- Duke’s Mayo Bowl (Charlotte, NC)
- Fenway Bowl (Boston, MA)
- Military Bowl (Annapolis, MD)
Wake Forest’s 2025 Duke’s Mayo Bowl appearance positions the program for a potential return to Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium in 2026, located 75 miles from Winston-Salem.
Wake Forest Schedule Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Wake Forest football season start in 2026?
Wake Forest’s 2026 football season begins Thursday, September 3, 2026, against Akron at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
How many home games does Wake Forest play in 2026?
Wake Forest plays 7 home games in 2026 at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium: Akron, Miami, Stanford, Virginia, Merrimack, and Duke, plus one conference game to be determined.
What channel will Wake Forest games be on in 2026?
Wake Forest’s 2026 television broadcast schedule remains unannounced as of February 2026. Games typically air on ESPN networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ACC Network) or ABC. Official broadcast assignments will be released in March or April 2026.
Who is Wake Forest’s head coach in 2026?
Jake Dickert serves as Wake Forest’s head coach in 2026, entering his second season after posting a 9-4 record in 2025, including a Duke’s Mayo Bowl victory.
What is Wake Forest’s biggest game in 2026?
The Friday, September 18, 2026 home game versus Miami represents Wake Forest’s marquee 2026 matchup, featuring the 2025 national runner-up Hurricanes in a primetime conference contest.
How do I buy Wake Forest football tickets for 2026?
Wake Forest football tickets for 2026 are available through the official athletics website at godeacs.com. Season ticket holders receive priority access before single-game sales open approximately 4-6 weeks before each contest.
What is the capacity of Wake Forest’s football stadium?
Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium holds 31,500 fans, making it the smallest stadium in the Power Four conferences and the entire ACC.
When is Wake Forest’s Homecoming game in 2026?
Wake Forest’s 2026 Homecoming game occurs Saturday, November 7, 2026, versus Merrimack at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium.
2026 Season Outlook
Wake Forest enters the 2026 campaign with established coaching continuity under Jake Dickert and offensive coordinator Rob Ezell, both returning for their second seasons. The roster features 24+ transfer portal additions addressing depth concerns identified during the 9-4 finish in 2025.
The schedule presents balanced difficulty with 3 non-conference games (Purdue, Akron, Merrimack) and 9 ACC contests under the league’s new expanded format. Home games against Miami and Duke provide opportunities for signature victories, while road trips to Cal and SMU test the program’s ability to compete in unfamiliar venues.
Bowl eligibility remains the baseline expectation, requiring 6 wins from the 12-game slate. The October 24 bye week provides mid-season recovery between the California road trip and the November homestretch featuring 4 games across 28 days.
