BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The action on the gridiron in the Southwestern Athletic Conference for the 2026 season begins with 11 of 12 SWAC Schools in action to open their new respective seasons.
 
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Thursday, August 27

Mississippi Valley State at Nicholls, 6:00 P.M. (ESPN+)
 
Saturday, August 29

Southern vs. Alabama State, 2:00 P.M. (ESPNU) (Birmingham Football Classic)

NC Central vs. Texas Southern, 6:00 P.M. (HBCU GO)

Clark Atlanta vs. Grambling State, 6:00 P.M. (SWAC TV)

Miles vs. Alcorn State, 6:00 P.M. (SWAC TV)

Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Morehouse College, 6:00 P.M. (SWAC TV) (Natural State Kickoff Classic in Little Rock, Ark.)

Albany State vs. Florida A&M, 6:00 P.M. (SWAC TV)

Alabama A&M vs. Howard, 6:30 P.M. (ABC) (SWAC-MEAC Challenge in Atlanta, Ga.)

Jackson State vs. Tennessee State, 7:30 P.M. (ESPN+) (John Merritt Classic in Nashville, Tenn.)

Prairie View A&M vs. Tarleton State, 8:00 P.M. (ESPN2)

All times denoted in Central Standard Time.
Bold denotes SWAC Team in action.


About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.

Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, and Tennis.

Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, and Volleyball.

Follow the SWAC
For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC (Twitter), @TheSWAC (Facebook), and @TheSWAC (Instagram) or visit the official home of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at www.swac.org.