Key Points
- NM State football unveiled its full 2026 schedule following Conference USA’s announcement.
- Season opener on Aug. 29 at Florida State, marking the program’s first-ever meeting with the ACC foe.
- Home opener on Sept. 5 against Mercyhurst at Aggie Memorial Stadium.
- Nonconference games include trips to Hawaii (Sept. 12) and a home rivalry game against New Mexico (Sept. 26).
- Conference USA play starts Oct. 1 with home game vs. WKU; includes four midweek games on Wednesdays: at FIU (Oct. 7), at Sam Houston (Oct. 21), vs. Jacksonville State (Oct. 28).
- Later schedule: vs. Liberty (Nov. 7), at Missouri State (Nov. 14), Senior Day vs. Delaware (Nov. 21), at Middle Tennessee (Nov. 28).
- Eight-game CUSA slate with four home and four road contests.
- Game times and TV designations to be announced later; all subject to change for television.
- Opponent details include 2025 records, series histories, and last meeting results.
Las Cruces, N.M. (King County Insider) April 29, 2026 – NM State football released its complete 2026 schedule on Wednesday morning after Conference USA unveiled the updated league slate. The Aggies’ season kicks off with a challenging road game at Power Four opponent Florida State, followed by a mix of nonconference and conference matchups, including several midweek games as part of the league’s initiative.
The schedule outlines a balanced campaign with nonconference tests early and an eight-game Conference USA portion split evenly between home and away games. As reported by NM State Sports staff, the Aggies will open on Saturday, Aug. 29, traveling to Tallahassee, Fla., for their first-ever matchup against ACC team Florida State at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Florida State’s 2025 record stood at 5-7 overall and 2-6 in the ACC, with the series record favoring the Seminoles 1-0 from their 36-0 win on Oct. 3, 1964, in Tallahassee.
What Does the 2026 NM State Football Schedule Look Like?
NM State returns home for its opener on Sept. 5, hosting Mercyhurst at Aggie Memorial Stadium. Mercyhurst finished 2025 at 5-7, going 4-3 in the NEC (FCS), marking the first all-time meeting between the teams. Nonconference play continues with a Sept. 12 road trip to Honolulu, Hawaii, at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. Hawaii posted a 9-4 record in 2025 (5-3 Mountain West), leading the series 11-1 after a 20-17 win over NM State on Sept. 23, 2023.
The nonconference slate wraps on Sept. 26 with a home rivalry game against New Mexico at Aggie Memorial Stadium. New Mexico went 9-4 in 2025 (6-2 Mountain West) and leads the series 75-35-5 following a 30-28 victory on Sept. 27, 2025, in Albuquerque.
Conference USA action begins Thursday, Oct. 1, hosting Western Kentucky (WKU) in Las Cruces. WKU finished 2025 at 9-4 (6-2 CUSA), leading the series 2-1 after a 35-16 win on Nov. 1, 2025, in Bowling Green, Ky.
Why Does NM State’s 2026 Schedule Include Midweek Games?
The Aggies feature four Wednesday contests in league play under Conference USA’s midweek initiative. On Oct. 7, they travel to FIU in Miami, Fla. FIU ended 2025 at 7-6 (5-3 CUSA), with the series tied 2-2 after FIU’s 34-13 win on Oct. 29, 2024.
Oct. 21 brings a road game at Sam Houston in Huntsville, Texas. Sam Houston went 2-10 in 2025 (1-7 CUSA), with NM State leading the series 2-1 after a 37-10 home win on Oct. 2, 2025.
NM State hosts Jacksonville State on Oct. 28 at home. Jacksonville State recorded 9-5 in 2025 (7-1 CUSA), series tied 1-1 after Jax State’s 54-13 victory on Oct. 9, 2024, in Jacksonville, Ala.
Who Are NM State’s Key Conference Opponents in Late 2026?
The schedule’s back half includes a home game against Liberty on Nov. 7. Liberty finished 4-8 in 2025 (3-5 CUSA), leading the series 7-2 after a 30-27 win on Oct. 14, 2025, in Lynchburg, Va.
On Nov. 14, NM State visits Missouri State in Springfield, Mo. Missouri State went 7-6 (5-3 CUSA) in 2025, leading 1-0 after a 24-17 overtime win on Oct. 22, 2025, in Las Cruces.
Senior Day arrives Nov. 21, hosting Delaware at Aggie Memorial Stadium in the final home regular-season game. Delaware posted 7-6 in 2025 (4-4 CUSA), marking the teams’ first all-time meeting.
The regular season closes Nov. 28 at Middle Tennessee in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Middle Tennessee finished 3-9 (1-5 CUSA) in 2025, with NM State leading the series 4-3 after MTSU’s 31-24 win on Nov. 29, 2025, in Las Cruces.
When Will Game Times and TV Details Be Announced?
NM State’s eight-game CUSA slate includes four home and four road games. Per the official release from NM State Sports, game times and television designations will be announced later, as all dates and kickoff times remain subject to change due to television selections.
The full 2026 NM State Football Schedule is as follows:
- Aug. 29 – at Florida State
- Sept. 5 – Mercyhurst
- Sept. 12 – at Hawaii
- Sept. 26 – New Mexico
- Oct. 1 (Thu.) – WKU*
- Oct. 7 (Wed.) – at FIU*
- Oct. 21 (Wed.) – at Sam Houston*
- Oct. 28 (Wed.) – Jacksonville State*
- Nov. 7 – Liberty*
- Nov. 14 – at Missouri State*
- Nov. 21 – Delaware*
- Nov. 28 – at Middle Tennessee*
*Conference USA game
This schedule positions NM State for a demanding season with travel to Florida, Hawaii, Texas, Missouri, and Tennessee, alongside key home dates.
Background of the Development
Conference USA’s updated league schedule sets the framework for NM State’s 2026 slate, building on realignments and initiatives like midweek games to boost visibility. NM State joined CUSA in 2022 after prior stints in other conferences, with the 2026 opponents reflecting the league’s current 10-team membership including FIU, Jacksonville State, Liberty, Middle Tennessee, Missouri State, Sam Houston, WKU, Delaware, and others. The nonconference matchups continue traditions like the New Mexico rivalry (dating to 1894) and Hawaii series (since 1978). Midweek games stem from CUSA’s 2024-2025 push for Wednesday night football to align with national TV windows. Official details come from NMStateSports.com, the home of Aggie athletics, with social follows on Facebook (NM State Football), X (@NMStateFootball), and Instagram (@NMStateFB).
Prediction: How This Development Can Affect NM State Fans and Stakeholders
This schedule can affect NM State fans by offering high-profile nonconference games like Florida State and Hawaii, potentially drawing larger viewership and boosting local attendance at Aggie Memorial Stadium for home openers and Senior Day. Midweek CUSA games may challenge fan turnout due to weekdays but could increase exposure via TV if selected. For players and coaches, the road-heavy early and late slate tests depth and travel logistics, while the even home-road split supports balanced preparation. Stakeholders, including alumni and boosters, gain from rivalry renewals like New Mexico, sustaining engagement. Overall, the slate provides opportunities for competitive play within CUSA while facing Power Four and Mountain West foes, influencing recruiting appeal and postseason positioning based on performance.
