VALDOSTA, Ga. – Valdosta State head football coach Graham Craig announced the 2026 Blazer football schedule Monday. The slate features five home games at historic Bazemore-Hyder Stadium, including the first two contests of the season on Thursday nights.

"We are excited about our 2026 football schedule and the opportunity to open the season at home with back-to-back Thursday night games," Craig said.  "We look forward to welcoming our fans, students and community to Bazemore-Hyder Stadium throughout the season."

Craig's second season at the helm begins in Week Zero on Aug. 27 when the Blazers host Emory & Henry of the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) at 7 p.m. The matchup marks the first meeting between the two programs and Valdosta State's first Thursday game since 2022. It will be the 22nd Thursday contest in program history. The Blazers are 13-8 all-time in Thursday games and 14-9 in non-Saturday contests.

A week later, VSU returns to Bazemore-Hyder Stadium for another Thursday night game, hosting Warner University on Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. The meeting with the Royals will be the first between the two schools and will kick off Labor Day weekend.

The Blazers then embark on back-to-back road trips, beginning with a Sept. 12 contest at Fayetteville State at 6 p.m. Valdosta State defeated the Broncos, 34-0, in the most recent meeting on Sept. 14, 2024, in Valdosta. The following week, VSU travels to UNC Pembroke on Sept. 19, marking its first trip to Pembroke, N.C., since 2014. The Braves earned a victory in Valdosta during the 2025 season.

Following a bye week, the Blazers return home to open October against Erskine on Oct. 3 at 4 p.m., for Family Weekend and the annual Pink Out game.

Valdosta State hosts Shorter on Oct. 24 at 3 p.m. for Homecoming, before traveling to West Alabama on Halloween, Oct. 31, to close out the month.

November begins with a home matchup against North Greenville on Nov. 7 at 2 p.m., for Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day. The regular season concludes Nov. 14 when the Blazers travel to rival Delta State for a 3 p.m. (ET) kickoff.

The 2026 NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs begin Nov. 21 and culminate with the national championship game in McKinney, Texas, on December 19, 2026.  

The Blazers finished 6-5 in Craig's first season as head coach and captured the program's 12th Gulf South Conference championship with a thrilling 47-44 overtime victory at No. 3 West Florida. Valdosta State also earned its 21st appearance in the NCAA Division II Playoffs.

Ticket sales will begin Wednesday, June 10.  Details on season tickets will be sent to season ticket holders that morning and will be available on vstateblazers.com.  

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