Presbyterian Blue Hose Finalize 2026 Schedule, Adding Mercer to Five Home Games

Presbyterian's 2026 football schedule is set, and the Blue Hose will open August 27 at home against UVA Wise in what the program describes as its earliest season opener since joining the Pioneer Football League. Head coach Matt Rahl wasted no time setting the tone: "We're eager to begin the season under the lights at Bailey Memorial Stadium. Be Early, Be Loud, Wear BLUE!!"

The finalized 11-game slate includes five home contests and six road games, with two bye weeks built in. The headline addition is a September 5 road date at Mercer, a non-conference contest that had not previously appeared on the schedule. Presbyterian then takes its first open date on September 12 before resuming with a road trip to Western Carolina on September 19, which closes out the non-conference portion of the schedule.

Pioneer Football League play begins September 26 at Marist. Presbyterian makes its conference home debut October 3 against St. Thomas in Clinton, then hosts Davidson the following week on October 10. A two-game road stretch follows, with trips to Stetson on October 17 and Valparaiso on October 24, before the Blue Hose return home October 31 to host Butler in the final game before the November 7 bye week.

After the second open date, Presbyterian travels to Morehead State on November 14 and closes the regular season November 21 at home against Dayton in the final PFL matchup of the year.

The schedule counts eight conference games against PFL opponents: Marist, St. Thomas, Davidson, Stetson, Valparaiso, Butler, Morehead State, and Dayton. The three non-conference opponents are UVA Wise, Mercer, and Western Carolina. Kickoff times and television information will be announced and updated on the program's schedule page as they become available.