HAMPTON, Va. (June 2, 2026) … The kickoff times for the Sept. 5 football game at Maryland and the Oct. 3 Howard contest in Washington, D.C. have been set.
The game with Maryland will mark Hampton's first-ever football game against a Power 4 opponent. Kickoff time is set for 8:00 pm at SECU Stadium in College Park, Md. Maryland finished the 2025 season with a 4-8 overall record and a 1-8 mark in Atlantic Coast Conference play. The game will be televised on the Big 10 Network.
Hampton and Howard will meet in the 101st meeting in the Battle of the Real HU on Oct. 3 at 3:00 pm at Washington, D.C.'s Audi Field. Hampton holds a 55-44-1 lead in the series that began in 1908. The Pirates have won 22 of the last 27 meetings between the two teams. The Bison turned the tables in 2025 with a 34-7 win over Hampton snapping an eight-game winning streak by the Pirates. HBCUGo will televise the game live.
Hampton opens the 2026 campaign on Aug. 29 when the Pirates host Virginia University-Lynchburg at Armstrong Stadium. A week later, Hampton plays at Maryland, marking the first Power 4 game ever for the Pirates.
Season tickets for the 2026 season are now available. Five home games are featured on the 2026 Pirate home schedule. The Pirates open the season against Virginia University-Lynchburg on Aug. 29 before hosting CAA foes Bryant on Sept. 12 and Campbell on Sept. 26. The first three home games will kick off at 6 p.m. Hampton will celebrate Homecoming on Oct. 24 when the Pirates host Monmouth. In the final home game of the season on Nov. 14, Hampton will take on longtime foe North Carolina A&T.
Season ticket reserved seating is available for $250 and general admission season tickets are priced at $150. Active military season tickets are $75 with identification and Hampton University Faculty/Staff season tickets are $70.
You may purchase season tickets at hamptonpirates.com/tickets, by phone (757-728-6832) or in person at the Convocation Center Ticket Office during office hours.
2026 HAMPTON PIRATES FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
(Home games in bold)
Aug. 29 — VIRGINIA-LYNCHBURG, 6 pm
Sept. 5 — at Maryland, 8 pm
Sept. 12 — BRYANT, 6 pm
Sept. 19 — at Norfolk State, TBA
Sept. 26 — CAMPBELL, 6 pm
Oct. 3 — HOWARD (Washington, D.C.*) 3 pm
Oct. 17 — at Sacred Heart, 12 pm
Oct. 24 — MONMOUTH (Homecoming), 2 pm
Oct. 31 — at Towson, 1 pm
Nov. 7 — at Elon, 2 pm
Nov. 14 — NORTH CAROLINA A&T, 1 pm
Nov. 21 — at Stony Brook, 12 pm
*-Audi Field, Washington, D.C.
