MIAMI — Fresh off its first bowl game appearance since 2019, FIU's football program officially announced its full schedule for the 2026 season on Friday morning.
The Panthers embark on their 2026 campaign in Year Two under head coach Willie Simmons, following a historic first season of the Simmons era. FIU's 2026 slate features the traditional breakdown of four non-conference matchups and eight Conference USA (CUSA) contests.
Staying in the Sunshine State for their entire non-conference slate, the Panthers have their season opener on the road in Tampa at USF on Sept. 5. This tilt will be FIU's first of two games against American Conference competition in 2026 and the first time the Panthers have taken on the Bulls since 2008.
FIU then hosts Buffalo for its home opener on South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium on Sept. 12. This will be the program's first-ever meeting with the Bulls, members of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The Panthers take to the road for Week Three, traveling to nearby-Boca Raton for their annual Shula Bowl clash with Florida Atlantic on Sept. 19. FIU defeated Fla. Atlantic last season 38-28 to reclaim the Shula Bowl Trophy for the first time since 2016.
Back at home for Week Four, the Panthers conclude their non-conference slate with a tilt against LIU on Sept. 26. FIU downed LIU 48-10 at home on Feb. 2, 2021 in their only previous meeting.
FIU's focus then shifts to CUSA play, beginning with its CUSA opener on the road at Jax State on Oct. 1. The Panthers garnered a pivotal victory over the Gamecocks last season, winning 27-21, to secure bowl eligibility for the first time since 2019. FIU's CUSA home slate commences on Oct. 8 as the Panthers battle with Louisiana Tech. FIU downed La Tech in the two sides' last scuffle, winning 17-10 at home on Sept. 28, 2024.
Following a bye week, the Panthers have their second consecutive home game for the first time in 2026, hosting Middle Tennessee on Oct. 20. FIU produced a dominant 56-30 win in Murfreesboro in 2025, of which was the start of a 4-0 stretch to close the regular season.
The first three October contests will be played during the week as part of the annual nationally-televised October Weekday CUSA slate.
October's final tilt will be on Halloween as the Panthers head to Lynchburg, Va. to take on Liberty on Halloween, Oct. 31. The Panthers secured a 34-27 win over the Flames in overtime in 2025, snapping a three-game losing streak to Liberty. FIU then hits the home stretch in November, welcoming Sam Houston to the '305' on Nov. 7. The Panthers ended the regular season in 2025 with a one-sided 56-16 win in Houston over the Bearkats.
The Panthers' final two road games feature back-to-back contests at Delaware on Nov. 14 and at New Mexico State on Nov. 21. This will be FIU's first-ever road matchup with Delaware and the first time the Panthers will be on the road in Las Cruces since 2023.
FIU closes out the season on its own turf, taking on Missouri State for the two sides' first-ever meeting in Miami. This will be the Panthers' fourth time in the last five seasons with their final game at home.
All kickoff times and TV information will be released at a later date.
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