The Ohio Valley Conference has unveiled its 2026 men’s soccer schedule, marking the fourth year the league has sponsored the sport. Eight institutions will contest the championship, among them the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, which enters as a new affiliate member.
The conference’s full‑time members that sponsor men’s soccer – Eastern Illinois University, Lindenwood University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, University of Southern Indiana and Western Illinois University – are joined by affiliate partners Houston Christian University and the University of the Incarnate Word.
Games will be played on a 10‑game slate, with each team facing three opponents twice and four opponents once, most often on Thursday and Sunday evenings.
The opening league match is set for Saturday, September 26, launching a season that will culminate in the OVC Men’s Soccer Championship in St. Charles, Missouri, at Lindenwood University’s campus from November 8 through 14.
Championship returns to St. Charles
This marks the second consecutive year the championship has been held at the Lindenwood venue, underscoring the conference’s commitment to a stable championship environment.