Louisville, Kentucky, December 17, 2025
The Atlantic Coast Conference has announced the University of Louisville’s football schedule for the upcoming season, highlighting noteworthy matchups at home and on the road. The Cardinals will host teams like Florida State, Pitt, and SMU, while notably cancelling their home-and-home series with Georgia. The season will kick off with a neutral-site game against Ole Miss at Nissan Stadium, further enhancing the excitement of this competitive schedule.
Louisville, Kentucky – The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has unveiled the University of Louisville’s football schedule for the 2026 season, featuring a mix of home and away games against both conference and non-conference opponents.
2026 ACC Opponents
Louisville will host five ACC games at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium, welcoming:
- Florida State
- Pitt
- SMU
- Stanford
- Wake Forest
On the road, the Cardinals are set to face:
- Georgia Tech
- North Carolina
- NC State
- Syracuse
Notably, Florida State will make its first trip to Louisville since 2022, while SMU and Stanford will visit for the second and first times, respectively. The exact dates for these matchups are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Non-Conference Schedule Adjustments
In addition to the ACC games, Louisville has made adjustments to its non-conference schedule. The previously scheduled home-and-home series with Georgia, set to begin in 2026, has been canceled. Both teams have agreed to explore the possibility of a neutral-site game in the early 2030s. This decision aligns with the SEC’s move to a nine-game conference schedule, prompting scheduling changes across the league.
Furthermore, Louisville will open the 2026 season with a neutral-site game against Ole Miss. The matchup is scheduled for September 5 or 6 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, marking the second all-time meeting between the two programs. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
ACC’s New Scheduling Model
The 2026 season marks the ACC’s transition to a nine-game conference schedule, a move aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the league. This change aligns with the SEC’s recent adoption of a nine-game conference slate. The ACC plans to have 16 of its 17 teams playing nine league games annually by 2027, with one team each season playing eight conference games and scheduling two Power Four non-conference opponents to meet the requirement of 10 games against Power Four teams.
As the season approaches, fans can look forward to an exciting lineup of games that promise to showcase the talent and competitiveness of Louisville’s football program.
Key Features of Louisville’s 2026 Football Schedule
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Home ACC Opponents | Florida State, Pitt, SMU, Stanford, Wake Forest |
| Away ACC Opponents | Georgia Tech, North Carolina, NC State, Syracuse |
| Non-Conference Games | Neutral-site game against Ole Miss at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee; previously scheduled home-and-home series with Georgia canceled |
| ACC’s New Scheduling Model | Transition to a nine-game conference schedule in 2026, with plans for 16 of 17 teams to play nine league games annually by 2027 |
FAQ
What are Louisville’s home and away ACC opponents for the 2026 season?
Louisville will host Florida State, Pitt, SMU, Stanford, and Wake Forest, and will travel to Georgia Tech, North Carolina, NC State, and Syracuse.
When will the exact dates for these matchups be announced?
The exact dates for these matchups are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Has Louisville’s non-conference schedule changed for the 2026 season?
Yes, the previously scheduled home-and-home series with Georgia has been canceled, with both teams exploring the possibility of a neutral-site game in the early 2030s. Additionally, Louisville will open the 2026 season with a neutral-site game against Ole Miss at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
What is the ACC’s new scheduling model for the 2026 season?
The ACC is transitioning to a nine-game conference schedule in 2026, aiming to enhance the competitiveness of the league. By 2027, 16 of the 17 teams will play nine league games annually, with one team each season playing eight conference games and scheduling two Power Four non-conference opponents to meet the requirement of 10 games against Power Four teams.
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