FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Sacred Heart University football officially announced its 2026 schedule on Tuesday afternoon, marking a historic milestone for the program as the Pioneers prepare for their first season competing in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Football after spending the previous two seasons as an FCS independent.

The 11-game slate features a challenging mix of CAA opponents, regional matchups, and familiar New England foes, as Sacred Heart transitions into one of the nation's premier FCS conferences.

"We're excited to begin this next chapter of Sacred Heart football," said Head Coach Mark Nofri. "The CAA is one of the most competitive conferences in the country, and this schedule will test our program every week. Our players and staff are ready for the challenge."

Sacred Heart opens a new era of Pioneer football with three straight road tests to begin the 2026 season, starting on Saturday, September 5, at Monmouth in the program's first official game as a member of the CAA. The early-season gauntlet continues with a September 12 matchup at UMass, followed by Sacred Heart's first-ever trip to Elon on September 19, where the Pioneers will continue their introduction to CAA competition.

The home crowd will get its first look at CAA football in Fairfield on September 26, when Sacred Heart hosts New Hampshire in the 2026 home opener at Campus Field.

Conference battles continue in week five with a road trip to Maine on October 3 before the Pioneers return home on October 10 to take on Stonehill in a regional showdown. Sacred Heart remains at Campus Field the following week, welcoming Hampton on October 17 as the heart of the conference schedule heats up.

After a week eight bye, the Pioneers jump back into action with a Halloween showdown at Stony Brook on October 31, before closing the home schedule in November. 

Sacred Heart will host Towson on November 7 and Bryant on November 14, two late-season games that could play a pivotal role in the CAA standings.

The regular season ends on the road with a November 21 contest at Merrimack, capping off Sacred Heart's first season in the CAA and concluding a 12-game schedule filled with high-stakes conference matchups and regional rivalries.