The Wake Forest football schedule 2026 opens at home against Akron on September 3 at 7:00 p.m. ET. The 2026 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football schedule features 13 regular-season games plus a potential ACC Championship berth, with a late-October bye and high-profile home dates against ranked Miami and SMU on the road.
Allegacy Stadium hosts six home dates on the Wake Forest football schedule 2026. The toughest stretch lands in September and early October with a home game against #7 Miami and a road trip to #24 Louisville.
2026 Wake Forest Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | Akron ZipsAllegacy Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC | 7:00pm ETACCN | ||
| Saturday | at Purdue BoilermakersRoss-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN | 12:00pm ETFS1 | ||
| Friday | 7 Miami (FL) HurricanesAllegacy Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC | 7:30pm ETESPN | ||
| Saturday | at 24 Louisville CardinalsL&N Stadium, Louisville, KY | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Stanford CardinalAllegacy Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at NC State WolfpackCarter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at California Golden BearsCal Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | Virginia CavaliersAllegacy Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Merrimack WarriorsAllegacy Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at 19 SMU MustangsGerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsBobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Duke Blue DevilsAllegacy Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs ACC ChampionshipBank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC | 12:00pm ETABC |
How the Wake Forest Football Schedule 2026 Sets Up
September mixes an early home opener with ranked tests on the Wake Forest football schedule 2026. Akron at home, a road trip to Purdue, #7 Miami at home on ESPN, and a road game at #24 Louisville. That opening stretch gives the Demon Deacons an early ranked home game and a tough road test in consecutive weeks.
October brings Stanford at home, road games at NC State and California, a bye, and Virginia at home. The mid-month bye provides a chance to reset before the final stretch of ACC play.
November features Merrimack at home, a road trip to #19 SMU, a road game at Georgia Tech, and Duke at home. That final stretch will decide seeding for a possible ACC Championship appearance.
Home Games at Allegacy Stadium
Six home dates appear on the Wake Forest football schedule 2026:
- September 3 vs. Akron
- September 18 vs. #7 Miami
- October 3 vs. Stanford
- October 31 vs. Virginia
- November 7 vs. Merrimack
- November 28 vs. Duke
The Miami, Stanford and Duke games will generate the strongest crowds in Winston-Salem.
The Games That Decide the Season
Three contests stand out on the Wake Forest football schedule 2026.
The September 18 home game against #7 Miami is an early ACC measuring stick. The September 26 road trip to #24 Louisville is a key ranked test. The November 14 game at #19 SMU will likely decide late-season momentum.
Win two of those three and the Demon Deacons stay in control of their path toward a possible December 5 ACC Championship appearance in Charlotte.
Where to Watch Wake Forest Demon Deacons football: TV and Streaming
Confirmed networks on the Wake Forest TV schedule 2026:
- ACCN (Sept. 3 vs. Akron)
- FS1 (Sept. 12 at Purdue)
- ESPN (Sept. 18 vs. Miami)
- ABC (Dec. 5 ACC Championship)
Most remaining ACC games still list TV as TBA. Expect the usual mix of ESPN networks and ACC Network once the final assignments drop.
Key Dates at a Glance
- Sept. 3 — Season opener vs. Akron, 7:00 p.m. ET, ACCN
- Sept. 18 — #7 Miami at home, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Sept. 26 — At #24 Louisville
- Nov. 14 — At #19 SMU
- Dec. 5 — Potential ACC Championship in Charlotte, noon, ABC
The Wake Forest football schedule 2026 opens with an early ranked home game and builds toward a demanding November. The final month will decide everything.
FAQ
When does Wake Forest open the 2026 season?
Wake Forest opens the 2026 season at home against Akron on Thursday, September 3 at 7:00 p.m. ET on ACCN.
How many home games do the Wake Forest Demon Deacons have in 2026?
The Demon Deacons have six home games at Allegacy Stadium on the Wake Forest football schedule 2026: Akron, #7 Miami, Stanford, Virginia, Merrimack, and Duke.
Who do the Wake Forest Demon Deacons play on September 18?
On September 18 the Demon Deacons host #7 Miami at Allegacy Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
What channel are Wake Forest games on in 2026?
Confirmed networks include ACCN, FS1, ESPN, and ABC. Most ACC games remain TBA and will be assigned later in the year.
