Alfred, NY - The Alfred State football team has announced its 2026 schedule as it enters its second season in the Empire 8 Conference.

The Pioneers will play 10 games in 2026, including three non-conference contests and seven Empire 8 matchups. Head Coach Scott Linn is excited about the group's potential heading into the season.

"I could not be more excited for this upcoming season," said Linn. "We have a great mixture of returners with a lot of experience and newcomers eager to make their mark. Preseason practices have been extremely competitive and have prepared us well for the challenges of the season."

Alfred State's 2026 campaign will start with back-to-back home games. The season and home opener will be against Thiel on September 5^th at 4 p.m. This marks the first time the Pios play the Tomcats in football. The following week on September 12^th, the Hilbert Hawks come to town for a 6 p.m. game. Last season, the ASC took down the Hawks on the road 49-13. Then on September 19^th, the Pios will hit the road as they travel to Buffalo for a matchup against the Buffalo State Bengals. Kickoff for that game is set for 1 p.m. Last year, Alfred State won 56-20 to cap off homecoming weekend. The Pioneers open Empire 8 play on Sept. 26 when they host Utica during Homecoming Weekend at Pioneer Stadium. That game is set for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

Following homecoming, the Pioneers will head to SUNY Morrisville to take on the Mustangs on October 3^rd with a noon start time. After a Week Six bye, the Pioneers will host Brockport on October 18^th with a noon kickoff. Alfred State will be on the road for the next three weeks. They will start with a trip to Oneonta, NY on October 24^th, to face the Hawks of Hartwick. Then on the 31^st of October, the Pios head to Cortland for a game against the Red Dragons at 1 p.m. The next week, Alfred State will head across the street to Alfred University for the Alfred Cup game on November 7^th. The Pioneers won last season's game 35-28 to claim the Spotlight Trophy in the inaugural game. In the final week of the regular season, the Pios will host St. John Fisher on Nov. 14. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m., and the game will also serve as Senior Day for the Pioneers.

The Alfred State Football program has a booster club, the Big Blue Crew. Members of the Big Blue Crew will receive: four season passes (covers admission to all home games – excludes NCAA playoff games), exclusive access to premium parking/tailgating location (Lot 20 – Upper Lot, Section nearest Pioneer Stadium) – valid for all home games, regular and postseason, two Big Blue Crew T-Shirts, and a Big Blue Crew Car Sticker. For more information click here or visit alfredstateathletics.com.