JMU Announces Game Times and TV Network Designations for Seven Games

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison Athletics, in conjunction with the Sun Belt Conference and ESPN, announced kickoff times and television network designations for seven of its 12 football games for the 2026 season.

The Dukes will appear on national television in six of the seven announced kickoff times, spanning from ESPN or ESPN2, ESPNU, CBS Sports Network and The CW. This will be the first time JMU football has ever played on both CBSSN and The CW.

With the announcement, JMU now has game times and network information for its first three games in September, all three Thursday night Sun Belt contests, as well as its final non-conference road game in November.

The Dukes open the 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5 when they host Liberty at Bridgeforth Stadium as part of the Battle of the Blue Ridge in a noon kickoff on ESPNU. The following week, on Saturday, Sept. 12, JMU hosts FCS foe Wagner at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN+.

Week three takes JMU on a cross-country flight to Southern California on Saturday, Sept. 19, where it will take on the Pac-12's San Diego State at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT) on The CW.

JMU will appear in primetime on three consecutive Thursday nights in late October into early November. On Thursday, Oct. 22, JMU takes the trek to Boone, N.C., to face App State at 7 p.m. on ESPNU.

The ensuing week, on Thursday, Oct. 29, the Dukes have a Sun Belt title rematch with Troy at Bridgeforth Stadium, as that game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. on either ESPN or ESPN2. The string of three straight Thursdays concludes on Nov. 5 with a trip to Hattiesburg, Miss., where JMU faces Southern Miss at 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT) on either ESPN or ESPN2.

ESPN will identify the exact network for JMU's matchups versus Troy and at Southern Miss 12 days prior to each contest.

JMU's non-conference finale on Saturday, Nov. 14 will take the Dukes to Storrs, Conn., to battle UConn in a noon kick on CBS Sports Network.

The remaining schedule will have game times and TV networks confirmed 12 days prior to each of those respective matchups.

Confirmed Game Times/TV Networks
Saturday, Sept. 5 – vs. Liberty – 12 PM on ESPNU
Saturday, Sept. 12 – vs. Wagner – 3:30 PM on ESPN+
Saturday, Sept. 19 – at San Diego State – 10 PM ET (7 PT) on The CW
Thursday, Oct. 22 – at App State – 7 PM on ESPNU
Thursday, Oct. 29 – vs. Troy – 7:30 PM on ESPN or ESPN2
Thursday, Nov. 5 – at Southern Miss – 8 PM ET (7 CT) on ESPN or ESPN2
Saturday, Nov. 14 – at UConn – 12 PM on CBS Sports Network

Calendar