Air Force Football has a distinctive place in college football. Representing the United States Air Force Academy, the Falcons combine competitive FBS football with the traditions and responsibilities of a military service academy.
For fans searching for the Air Force football schedule, the most important details include upcoming opponents, game dates, locations, kickoff times, television coverage, and results. The 2026 schedule is particularly interesting because Air Force has seven home games and faces a mix of Mountain West opponents, service-academy rivals, and non-conference teams.
Schedule for 2026
The 2026 Air Force football schedule gives the Falcons a balanced mix of home and away games. Seven contests will be played at Falcon Stadium, while five will take place on the road.
The schedule includes four non-conference games: Duquesne, Navy, UConn and Army. The remaining eight games are Mountain West contests, including matchups against new conference members North Dakota State, Northern Illinois and UTEP.
Here is the complete regular-season schedule:
| Date | Opponent | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 5 | Duquesne | Falcon Stadium | Home |
| Sept. 12 | North Dakota State | Falcon Stadium | Home |
| Sept. 19 | Open Week | — | Bye |
| Sept. 26 | Nevada | Reno, Nevada | Away |
| Oct. 3 | Navy | Falcon Stadium | Home |
| Oct. 10 | Northern Illinois | DeKalb, Illinois | Away |
| Oct. 17 | UNLV | Falcon Stadium | Home |
| Oct. 23 | Wyoming | Laramie, Wyoming | Away |
| Oct. 31 | UConn | Falcon Stadium | Home |
| Nov. 7 | Army | West Point, New York | Away |
| Nov. 14 | San Jose State | Falcon Stadium | Home |
| Nov. 20 | UTEP | Falcon Stadium | Home |
| Nov. 27 | New Mexico | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Away |
The official Air Force schedule lists the season opener against Duquesne on September 5, followed by North Dakota State on September 12 and an open date on September 19. The regular season then continues through November 27 at New Mexico.
Air Force Football Home Games
One of the biggest advantages for Air Force in 2026 is the number of games scheduled at home.
The Falcons will host seven opponents at Falcon Stadium, including several games with major significance.
The home schedule includes:
- Duquesne
- North Dakota State
- Navy
- UNLV
- UConn
- San Jose State
- UTEP
The Air Force Academy announced that the seven-game home schedule includes service-academy rival Navy, along with conference newcomers North Dakota State and UTEP.
For fans attending games, Falcon Stadium provides the setting for one of the most distinctive atmospheres in college football. Home games also give Air Force the benefit of familiar surroundings and the support of its academy community.
Air Force Football Away Games
The Falcons have five road games in 2026:
- Nevada
- Northern Illinois
- Wyoming
- Army
- New Mexico
The road portion of the schedule becomes especially important in the second half of the season. Air Force travels to Wyoming on October 23, visits Army on November 7, and finishes the regular season at New Mexico on November 27.
Road games can present different challenges, including travel, unfamiliar environments and crowd pressure. The ability to perform consistently away from Falcon Stadium can therefore have a major impact on the Falcons’ overall record.
September Schedule: A Strong Start
Air Force opens the 2026 season at home against Duquesne on September 5.
The Falcons then host North Dakota State on September 12. This matchup has added importance because North Dakota State is among the new additions to the Mountain West for 2026.
After those two games, Air Force has an open week on September 19.
The Falcons then return to action on September 26 against Nevada in Reno.
The early-season sequence gives Air Force an opportunity to establish momentum before entering a demanding October stretch.
October Is Packed With Important Games
October is arguably the most significant month on the Air Force football schedule.
The Falcons begin the month by hosting Navy on October 3. They then travel to Northern Illinois on October 10 before returning home to face UNLV on October 17.
The schedule continues with a road game at Wyoming on October 23 and a home game against UConn on October 31.
That means Air Force plays five games during October, with three at home and two on the road.
Air Force vs. Navy
The Navy game is one of the marquee fixtures on the schedule.
The matchup is part of the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy competition involving the nation’s three major service academies: Air Force, Army and Navy.
Air Force hosts Navy at Falcon Stadium on October 3. The game is scheduled for a 10 a.m. Mountain Time kickoff according to the official Air Force schedule, with CBS carrying the service-academy matchup.
Because of the history and traditions surrounding the service academies, this game carries significance beyond a normal conference matchup.
Air Force at Northern Illinois
Air Force travels to Northern Illinois on October 10.
Northern Illinois is one of the teams joining the Mountain West in the 2026 season, making this an important conference road game for the Falcons.
The matchup is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Mountain Time, with CBS Sports Network listed as the television outlet by Air Force Athletics.
Air Force vs. UNLV
On October 17, Air Force returns to Falcon Stadium to host UNLV.
The game is scheduled for a 1:30 p.m. Mountain Time kickoff and is among the contests selected for CBS Sports Network coverage.
UNLV is an established Mountain West opponent, making this another important conference test for the Falcons.
Air Force at Wyoming
Air Force travels to Wyoming on October 23.
The game was moved to Friday as part of the Mountain West’s television scheduling arrangements. The official Air Force schedule lists a 7 p.m. Mountain Time kickoff.
Road games against Wyoming can be demanding because of the environment and travel involved, making this an important test during the middle of the conference campaign.
Air Force vs. UConn
The Falcons return home on October 31 to host UConn.
The game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. Mountain Time kickoff and is one of two Air Force games designated for Mountain West+, according to the academy’s television announcement.
November Schedule and Season Finale
November begins with another major service-academy matchup.
Air Force travels to West Point to face Army on November 7. The game is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. Mountain Time kickoff on the official Air Force schedule.
The Falcons then finish the regular season with three Mountain West games.
San Jose State
Air Force hosts San Jose State on November 14.
The game is scheduled for 5 p.m. Mountain Time and is listed for CBS Sports Network coverage.
UTEP
The Falcons host UTEP on November 20.
This game was moved to Friday and is scheduled for a 6 p.m. Mountain Time kickoff. CW is scheduled to televise the contest.
Air Force at New Mexico
The regular season concludes with Air Force visiting New Mexico on November 27.
The Friday matchup is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. Mountain Time kickoff, with CW listed as the television network.
Finishing on the road means Air Force will need to manage travel and preparation carefully as it enters the final game of the regular season.
2026 Air Force Football TV Schedule
Television coverage is an important part of following Air Force football, particularly because several kickoff times were adjusted for national broadcasts.
For 2026, Air Force Athletics announced games across multiple outlets, including:
- CBS
- CBS Sports Network
- FS1
- Fox Sports networks
- CW
- Mountain West+
Ten Air Force games were selected for national television, while two were scheduled for Mountain West+.
The exact television arrangement can matter because broadcast selections may affect kickoff times. Fans should therefore check the official schedule before making travel or viewing plans.
What Makes the Air Force Football Schedule Unique?
The schedule stands out because it combines several different types of opponents.
Service Academy Rivalries
Games against Navy and Army are central to the Air Force football identity. These contests connect the sport to the broader traditions of the military academies.
Mountain West Competition
Air Force also faces a substantial Mountain West schedule, including established opponents and new conference members.
The conference’s 2026 membership includes Air Force, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Northern Illinois, North Dakota State, San Jose State, UNLV, UTEP and Wyoming.
New Conference Opponents
North Dakota State, Northern Illinois and UTEP bring additional variety to the schedule.
North Dakota State’s appearance at Falcon Stadium is particularly notable because the Bison are entering the Mountain West as a new FBS conference member.
How to Follow Air Force Football Results
Once the 2026 season begins, fans can follow results through the official Air Force Academy Athletics football schedule.
The schedule provides game information including opponents, dates, locations and results. During the season, it becomes the most useful reference for checking whether a game has been completed and seeing the latest record.
For each game, readers should look for:
- Final score
- Overall Air Force record
- Conference record
- Home or road status
- Upcoming opponent
- Next kickoff time
This approach makes it easier to follow the season without relying on outdated preseason information.
Why Kickoff Times Can Change
College football schedules are often published before every television detail is finalized.
Broadcast partners can select games for specific windows, and conferences may adjust kickoff dates or times to accommodate television schedules.
That is already evident in the 2026 Air Force schedule. Three games were shifted to Friday: Wyoming, UTEP and New Mexico.
For that reason, fans should treat the published kickoff time as the current scheduled time rather than assuming it can never change.
Air Force Football and the Mountain West
The 2026 season represents an interesting period for the Mountain West.
The conference added Northern Illinois, North Dakota State and UTEP, creating a new league structure for the season. Air Force’s conference opponents include four home games against North Dakota State, UNLV, San Jose State and UTEP, plus road trips to Nevada, Northern Illinois, Air Force Football Wyoming and New Mexico.
This creates a balanced conference slate:
| Home Mountain West Games | Away Mountain West Games |
|---|---|
| North Dakota State | Nevada |
| UNLV | Northern Illinois |
| San Jose State | Wyoming |
| UTEP | New Mexico |
The Falcons will not face Hawaii during the 2026 regular season.
Which Air Force Games Should Fans Watch Closely?
Several games deserve special attention.
Navy: A traditional service-academy rivalry and Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy matchup.
Army: Another major service-academy game, this time on the road at West Point.
North Dakota State: A notable matchup involving one of the Mountain West’s new members.
Wyoming: A challenging conference road game.
UNLV: An important home conference matchup.
New Mexico: The final regular-season game and a potentially important late-season conference contest.
The importance of individual games will ultimately depend on how the season develops, so it is best to avoid labeling any single matchup as decisive before the teams take the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Air Force football schedule for 2026?
Air Force’s 2026 regular-season schedule contains 12 games, beginning with Duquesne on September 5 and ending at New Mexico on November 27. The Falcons have seven home games and five road games.
When does Air Force football start in 2026?
Air Force opens the 2026 season on Saturday, September 5, against Duquesne at Falcon Stadium. The official schedule lists an 11 a.m. Mountain Time kickoff.
Does Air Force play Navy in 2026?
Yes. Air Force hosts Navy at Falcon Stadium on October 3, 2026. The game is part of the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy competition.
Does Air Force play Army in 2026?
Yes. Air Force travels to West Point to play Army on November 7, 2026.
How many home games does Air Force have in 2026?
Air Force has seven regular-season home games in 2026. The home opponents are Duquesne, North Dakota State, Navy, UNLV, UConn, San Jose State and UTEP.
Who does Air Force play in the Mountain West in 2026?
Air Force’s Mountain West opponents are North Dakota State, Nevada, Northern Illinois, UNLV, Wyoming, San Jose State, UTEP and New Mexico. Four are home games and four are away games.
Where does Air Force play its home football games?
Air Force plays its home football games at Falcon Stadium at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The 2026 schedule lists seven regular-season home games at the stadium.
Where can fans check Air Force football results?
The official Air Force Academy Athletics football schedule is the best source for current game results, upcoming dates and schedule updates. During the season, it provides the latest recorded results and schedule information.
Conclusion
The Air Force football schedule for 2026 offers a varied and demanding regular season. With seven home games, four service-academy or non-conference matchups, and a revamped Mountain West slate, there are plenty of meaningful games for Falcons fans to follow.
The season begins at Falcon Stadium against Duquesne before moving into conference competition against North Dakota State and Nevada. October brings major matchups with Navy, Northern Illinois, UNLV, Wyoming and UConn, while November features Army, San Jose State, UTEP and the regular-season finale at New Mexico.