Chicago State Hosts Roosevelt in Inaugural FCS Game at SeatGeek Stadium

Chicago State University will kick off its first NCAA Division I FCS football season at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Ill., hosting Roosevelt University on August 29, 2026. The announcement fixes the Cougars’ home opener in a 20,000-seat suburban venue while the university builds the foundation for an on-campus program and long-term conference play.

The Cougars enter 2026 as an FCS independent before formally joining the Northeast Conference in 2027. Roosevelt arrives as a Division II opponent from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, giving Chicago State a local opponent for an introductory showcase. Early nonconference dates already confirmed include a road trip to UT Martin on Sept. 5, a trip to Butler on Sept. 19, a game at Tarleton State on Oct. 3, and a season finale slated for Nov. 21 against Virginia-Lynchburg, presumably at home.

University leadership framed the launch as a civic and institutional milestone. President Zaldwaynaka “Z” Scott said, “The launch of football at Chicago State ushers in a new era not only for our university, but for the entire city of Chicago. As the city's only NCAA Division I football program, we are creating history and building a legacy that will inspire pride, opportunity, and community for generations to come. We are proud of the diligence and work that has happened over the last three years. This program will have a lasting impact.”

Bobby Rome II, the coach tasked with assembling the inaugural roster, has been active in recruiting and the transfer portal. Rome said of the recruiting timeline, “We are looking at that date as Christmas, but until we get to that point, we are going to hit every level we can. We are Chicago State. That is what we have been doing since we have been founded. We make history, and it is just a step in the right direction.” The program celebrated its first National Signing Day with 55 student-athletes signing to join the program, a headline number that gives Rome and his staff initial depth to navigate a compressed build.

Infrastructure plans balance short-term practicality with longer-range ambition. Chicago State will stage home games at SeatGeek Stadium, a facility that seats 20,000 and already hosts professional and developmental tenants. The university has included a temporary on-campus practice field in initial planning and is estimating more than $700,000 for a natural turf practice surface. University planners have also cited a potential $50 million on-campus stadium as a future project, with suburban home dates covering the program’s early seasons.

For local fans and recruits, the timeline matters: the Cougars will field an FCS independent schedule in 2026, then move into NEC competition in 2027. With 55 signees, a coach leaning into the transfer portal, and a visible home stage at SeatGeek Stadium, Chicago State aims to convert civic momentum into on-field competitiveness. Next steps for readers and followers include roster breakdowns by position, ticketing details for the Aug. 29 opener, and confirmation of the Board of Trustees’ December vote date and stadium funding timetable as the program transitions from announcement to game day.