The Ivy League remains the most renowned amateur athletic conference in the United States, and Cornell’s teams, known as the Red, embody that reputation with a schedule that spans fall, winter and spring. Each season brings a fresh set of challenges, but the underlying narrative is one of tradition, competition and community engagement.
Homecoming and the Opening Clash
Homecoming will anchor the fall calendar with a much‑anticipated Men’s Football game against Lehigh on October 17 at 2 p.m. The 2014 encounter ended in a 31‑14 defeat for the Red, a memory that fuels this year’s ambition. Adding intrigue, the Lehigh Mountain Hawks entered the 2026 AFCA FCS Coaches Poll at No. 11 after a 12‑win campaign the previous year, setting the stage for a potential reversal of fortunes.
Volleyball opens its Ivy League slate against Columbia on September 26 at 2 p.m. The Red has historically dominated the Lions, boasting a 64‑80 record and an unbeaten streak since 2023. That dominance underscores a broader pattern of Cornell’s teams consistently outperforming their historic rivals within the league.
Ice battles: Hockey’s storied rivalries
Women’s Hockey will face Harvard on November 13 at 6 p.m., a matchup that reflects a split record of five wins each in the last ten meetings. A victory could prove pivotal for conference positioning and set a tone for the remainder of the season, especially after the team’s run to the ECAC Hockey Championship Semifinals in Lake Placid, where they finished with 20 wins before a narrow loss.
The men’s hockey rivalry with Harvard, steeped in tradition since the early 20th century, returns on January 22 at 7 p.m. Fans are known for the unconventional ritual of throwing fish onto the ice during games, a quirky homage that adds atmosphere to an already intense contest. The upcoming meeting promises another chapter in a rivalry that has shaped Cornell’s hockey narrative for generations.
Beyond the Big Three: Lacrosse and the Full Spectrum
Men’s Lacrosse will meet Princeton, the defending NCAA champion, in a clash that also serves as the Ivy League Championship Game. Both programs sit among the nation’s elite, and a win could dramatically influence national rankings. This fixture exemplifies how Cornell’s 37 varsity teams each carry distinct rivalries and histories, inviting supporters to rally behind every sport, not just the headline acts.