North Alabama Lions Football Schedule for 2026
Exciting news for football fans! The University of North Alabama has unveiled its 2026 football schedule. This season is special because the Lions will open their brand-new home field, Bobby Wallace Field at Bank Independent Stadium.
The schedule features 12 games, with six played at the on-campus stadium. The season kicks off with a game against Samford on August 29, held at Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville.
Dr. Josh Looney, the Director of Athletics, expressed his enthusiasm: “This is going to be an exciting season. We’ll host six games at our new stadium, creating a fantastic experience for fans and players alike.”
The inaugural game at the new stadium will be on September 19, where the Lions will face Alcorn State. There are also some key dates to look forward to: Family Weekend is on September 26 against Western Illinois, Homecoming is on October 24 against Austin Peay, and Senior Day takes place on November 21 against Tarleton State.
Head Coach Brent Dearmon, entering his fourth season, shared his excitement: “For years, we’ve been a ‘road warrior’ team. Now, we can defend our home here on campus — it’s a game changer for us.”
It’s not just about the games; the 2026 season will bring a renewed sense of community. With the stadium opening, the university aims to deepen connections with local fans and the Shoals region. Recent surveys indicate that fan engagement drives team support, showing how much a vibrant home atmosphere contributes to player performance.
Here’s the official schedule for the Lions:
- August 29: vs. Samford — Joe Davis Stadium — 6 p.m.
- Sept. 5: at Arkansas — Fayetteville, Ark. — Time TBA
- Sept. 12: at Southeastern Louisiana — Hammond, La. — Time TBA
- Sept. 19: vs. Alcorn State — Bank Independent Stadium — 6 p.m.
- Sept. 26: vs. Western Illinois — Bank Independent Stadium — 3 p.m. (Family Weekend)
- Oct. 3: at Eastern Kentucky — Richmond, Ky. — Time TBA
- Oct. 10: vs. Sacramento State — Bank Independent Stadium — 6 p.m.
- Oct. 17: vs. Abilene Christian — Bank Independent Stadium — 6 p.m.
- Oct. 24: vs. Austin Peay — Bank Independent Stadium — 6 p.m. (Homecoming)
- Oct. 31: at Central Arkansas — Conway, Ark. — 4 p.m.
- Nov. 7: BYE WEEK
- Nov. 14: at West Georgia — Carrollton, Ga. — Time TBA
- Nov. 21: vs. Tarleton State — Bank Independent Stadium — 3 p.m. (Senior Day)
It’s going to be a memorable season. For further updates, check out UNA Athletics.
