The University of California's men's soccer program has released its 2026 fall schedule, a 14‑match lineup that blends a rugged non‑conference road swing with a packed ACC slate.
Opening the season
The Bears will begin on the road, opening at Portland before traveling to Santa Clara, and their first home appearance will be against UCLA at Edwards Stadium.
That home opener against the Bruins marks the start of a schedule that will test the team's depth early and set the tone for the months ahead.
Conference slate
Conference play opens on September 13 at Louisville and continues with seven ACC contests, including matchups against North Carolina, Virginia, NC State and a home finale against Stanford on October 30.
The Bears will also host NC State on October 18, a clash that could prove pivotal as the team looks to build momentum heading into the final stretch.
Key players and expectations
Head coach Leonard Griffin, now in his third year, will lean on a core that features midfielders D'Andre Pickett and Cesar Cordova and forward Malcolm Zalayet, who was the team's second‑leading scorer last season.
Griffin noted that the Bears have posted a 1‑0 record against Pitt in each of the past two seasons and will look to extend that momentum as they face seven opponents who earned a spot in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, a testament to the program's rising profile.