Mississippi Valley State Releases 2026 Football Schedule Highlighted By Chicago Classic

Mississippi Valley State unveiled a front-loaded 2026 slate that begins with two difficult road trips and includes a neutral-site appearance in the Chicago Football Classic at Soldier Field, giving the Delta Devils an early national stage. The published schedule opens August 27 at Nicholls, continues September 5 at Sacramento State, then pauses for the Chicago Classic on September 12 with the opponent to be announced.

Rice–Totten Stadium returns as the home hub when Mississippi Valley State hosts Delta State on September 19 for the home opener. Conference play starts September 26 at Alabama State, and the schedule features eight Southwestern Athletic Conference matchups: Alabama State, Prairie View A&M, Texas Southern, Bethune-Cookman, Alcorn State, Jackson State, Florida A&M and Alabama A&M. The Delta Devils get an October 24 bye in the middle of the schedule.

Mississippi Valley State flagged several dates with extra significance. October 17 is Homecoming against Bethune-Cookman, noted as the 73rd edition, October 31 brings a Halloween meeting with in-state rival Alcorn State, and November 21 is Senior Day versus Alabama A&M. The trip to Texas Southern on October 10 marks Mississippi Valley State’s first visit to Houston since 2018. VividSeats snapshots of the secondary market show sample low prices of $96 for the Alabama State game in Montgomery and $85 for the Florida A&M game in Tallahassee, suggesting affordable options for traveling fans.

The schedule release includes an official program line that frames the campaign as a turning point. MVSU athletics said, "ITTA BENA, Miss. – The Mississippi Valley State University football program enters year two of the Terrell Buckley era and has an exciting four-game home schedule as well as a return trip to the Chicago Football Classic for the first time in three years." That statement positions Terrell Buckley as the coach entering his second season and highlights home and marquee neutral-site opportunities.

Not all published accounts line up on leadership and logistics. One schedule report reiterated Mississippi Valley State’s 2025 finish of 1-11 and noted a different coaching timeline that referenced Kendrick Wade’s two-season tenure and a 2-21 record. The official MVSU release and external schedule listings also differ on whether the team has four or five true home dates; the published calendar lists five home dates but the release language refers to a four-game home slate.

For fans, recruits and the SWAC landscape, the key takeaways are the demanding non-conference start, the Soldier Field showcase and a stretch of late-season divisional tests that will define the Delta Devils’ trajectory. Mississippi Valley State will announce the Chicago Classic opponent, kickoff times and television windows at a later date; until then, the schedule gives players, staff and supporters a clear roadmap for a season that blends national exposure with classic conference rivalries.