A schedule built for ambition
High Point University announced its 2026 men's soccer calendar, a 20‑match lineup that balances early‑season exhibitions with a demanding conference slate. The Panthers will open the campaign with three tune‑up games before launching into a schedule that pits them against five teams that reached the 2025 NCAA Tournament, including a pair of national powerhouses.
Head Coach Zach Haines said the slate is designed to test the squad early and keep it competitive throughout the season. "We want to replicate the momentum we built in 2025," Haines explained, "and give ourselves the best chance to earn a top‑10 seed and push deep into the tournament."
Key matchups and historic rivalries
The first marquee test arrives on August 24, when the Panthers travel to face six‑time national champion Virginia in Charlottesville. A week later, on August 29, High Point returns to the road to meet three‑time champion Maryland in College Park, a venue where the team hopes to break a long‑standing drought of victories.
Georgetown also appears on the schedule, marking the spot where the Panthers both began and concluded their 2025 season. Additional non‑conference opponents include VCU, South Carolina, and UNC Greensboro, each offering a chance to add new chapters to the program’s growing rivalry list.
Conference play kicks off on September 19 against Gardner‑Webb, continuing a streak of ten straight wins over the Eagles and Lancers. The Panthers will also host Radford on October 24 for Senior Night, while a Triad rivalry showdown with UNC Greensboro looms on October 20, a game that sits tied at 9‑9 in the all‑time series.
The regular season culminates with the Big South Conference Tournament, scheduled for November 4‑14, where the Panthers aim to translate their regular‑season momentum into postseason success.