The 2026 Sun Belt football season will officially begin with Media Days on July 15‑16 in New Orleans, where the conference will unveil its latest storylines before the first kickoff.
The event will be streamed nationwide on ESPN+, giving fans across the country a front‑row view of the preseason hype.
A historic breakthrough
The Sun Belt earned its first-ever berth into the College Football Playoff in 2025, a milestone that has propelled the league into the national conversation. Over the past seven seasons the conference has placed six teams in the CFP Selection Day Rankings and has led all non‑autonomy conferences in Bowl Season representation for four straight years.
Key storylines and personalities
Senior punter Evan Crenshaw from Troy emerges as a finalist for the Ray Guy Award, while three All‑Sun Belt First Team returners represent the West Division. The conference also boasts multiple 10‑win teams for the eighth consecutive season, underscoring its competitive depth.
Three new head coaches — Billy Napier, Blake Anderson and Sonny Cumbie — will attend Media Days as they prepare for their inaugural seasons, joining veteran Keith Gill, commissioner of the Sun Belt Conference, for his State of the Conference address on July 15.
Louisiana Tech will make its debut at the Media Days after joining the conference in 2026, marking a significant expansion for the league. East Division schools will take the stage on July 15, while West Division programs will follow on July 16.
With the excitement building, the Sun Belt looks to translate its recent successes into another groundbreaking season, promising compelling matchups and a continued rise on the national stage.