The Duke football schedule 2026 opens at home against Tulane on September 5 at 3:30 p.m. ET. The Duke football schedule 2026 includes 13 regular-season games plus a potential ACC Championship appearance, with an early October bye and several ranked or high-profile ACC tests on the back end.
Wallace Wade Stadium hosts six home dates on the Duke football schedule 2026. The toughest stretch lands in November with road games at NC State and #7 Miami before a home date against Clemson.
2026 Duke Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Tulane Green WaveWallace Wade Stadium, Durham, NC | 3:30pm ETACCN | ||
| Saturday | at Illinois Fighting IlliniGies Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL | 3:30pm ETFS1 | ||
| Saturday | Stanford CardinalWallace Wade Stadium, Durham, NC | 4:00pm ETThe CW | ||
| Saturday | William & Mary TribeWallace Wade Stadium, Durham, NC | 3:30pm ETACCNX | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | at Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsBobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | North Carolina Tar HeelsWallace Wade Stadium, Durham, NC | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Friday | at Virginia CavaliersScott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA | 7:00pm ETESPN | ||
| Saturday | Boston College EaglesWallace Wade Stadium, Durham, NC | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at NC State WolfpackCarter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at 7 Miami (FL) HurricanesHard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Friday | Clemson TigersWallace Wade Stadium, Durham, NC | 7:30pm ETESPN | ||
| Saturday | at Wake Forest Demon DeaconsAllegacy Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs ACC ChampionshipBank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC | 12:00pm ETABC |
How the Duke Football Schedule 2026 Sets Up
September looks manageable on the Duke football schedule 2026. Tulane at home, a road trip to Illinois, Stanford at home, and William & Mary at home. That opening stretch gives the Blue Devils three home games and only one road contest before the bye.
October brings the first ACC tests. A road game at Georgia Tech, the rivalry game against North Carolina at home, a Friday night trip to Virginia on ESPN, and Boston College at home. The North Carolina and Virginia games will set the tone for the rest of the conference slate.
November is the gauntlet. Road games at NC State and #7 Miami, a home date against Clemson on ESPN, and a closer at Wake Forest. That four-game stretch features two ranked or high-profile road opponents and a Friday night home game against Clemson.
Home Games at Wallace Wade Stadium
Six home dates appear on the Duke football schedule 2026:
- September 5 vs. Tulane
- September 19 vs. Stanford
- September 26 vs. William & Mary
- October 17 vs. North Carolina
- October 31 vs. Boston College
- November 20 vs. Clemson
The North Carolina rivalry game and the Friday night Clemson matchup will draw the biggest crowds in Durham.
The Games That Decide the Season
Three contests stand out on the Duke Blue Devils Football schedule 2026.
The October 17 home game against North Carolina is the annual rivalry measuring stick. The November 14 road trip to #7 Miami is the toughest ranked test on the slate. The November 20 home date against Clemson on ESPN will likely decide late-season momentum.
Win two of those three and the Blue Devils stay in control of their path toward a possible December 5 ACC Championship appearance in Charlotte.
Where to Watch: TV and Streaming
Confirmed networks on the Duke TV schedule 2026:
- ACCN (Sept. 5 vs. Tulane)
- FS1 (Sept. 12 at Illinois)
- The CW (Sept. 19 vs. Stanford)
- ACCNX (Sept. 26 vs. William & Mary)
- ESPN (Oct. 23 at Virginia and Nov. 20 vs. Clemson)
- 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 are released.
Key Dates at a Glance
- Sept. 5 — Season opener vs. Tulane, 3:30 p.m. ET, ACCN
- Oct. 3 — Bye week
- Oct. 17 — North Carolina at home
- Nov. 14 — At #7 Miami
- Nov. 20 — Clemson at home, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Dec. 5 — Potential ACC Championship in Charlotte, noon, ABC
The Duke schedule football 2026 opens with a manageable September and builds toward a demanding November. The final month will decide everything.
FAQ
When does Duke open the 2026 season? Duke opens the 2026 season at home against Tulane on Saturday, September 5 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ACCN.
How many home games do the Duke Blue Devils have in 2026? The Blue Devils have six home games at Wallace Wade Stadium on the Duke football schedule 2026: Tulane, Stanford, William & Mary, North Carolina, Boston College, and Clemson.
Who do the Duke Blue Devils play on November 20? On November 20 the Blue Devils host Clemson at Wallace Wade Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
What channel are Duke games on in 2026? Confirmed networks include ACCN, FS1, The CW, ACCNX, ESPN, and ABC. Most ACC games remain TBA and will be assigned later in the year.
