Old Dominion University’s women’s basketball program has released its complete 2026‑27 Sun Belt Conference schedule, a lineup that blends home‑court familiarity with a series of demanding road excursions across the Southeast.
Opening Night at Chartway Arena
The season opens on December 19 with a home showdown against Southern Miss at Chartway Arena in Norfolk. The teams met in overtime a year ago, with ODU falling 86‑83 after a heart‑stopping finish.
Just days later, the Lady Monarchs travel to Monroe, Louisiana, for a New Year’s Eve clash with ULM. The previous meeting was decided by a single point, 68‑67, leaving the squad eager for redemption.
A Road Trip to Start the New Year
On January 2, ODU heads to Ruston, Louisiana, to face Louisiana Tech, marking the first meeting in twelve years with the program that finished the last season with a 26‑7 record and a perfect 17‑1 mark in C‑USA play.
A short stay in Norfolk follows, where Louisiana visits on January 6. The Lady Monarchs previously downed the Ragin’ Cajuns 72‑61, and the coaching staff hopes to build on that momentum.
The schedule then shifts to a home game against South Alabama on January 9. In December 2024, ODU posted an 82‑59 victory, with En’Dya Buford contributing 19 points.
Rivalry Renewed: The TowneBank Royal Rivalry
January 20 brings a rematch with James Madison in Norfolk, renewing the TowneBank Royal Rivalry. The previous season saw the Monarchs lose both encounters, and the team is determined to flip the script.
A subsequent home game against Marshall on January 23 continues a series that was split a year ago, adding another layer of competitiveness to the slate.
Southeast Sweep and Split Series
ODU embarks on a three‑game road trip beginning with Georgia State in Atlanta on January 27. The Monarchs swept the Mountaineers in the 2025‑26 season, and the upcoming games promise another strong performance.
The next stop is Harrisonburg, Virginia, where ODU meets James Madison again on January 30, this time on the road, before heading to Arkansas State on February 3, a venue where the team fell 84‑55 the previous year.
After returning to Norfolk, the Lady Monarchs will enjoy four consecutive home games, starting with Coastal Carolina on February 10. The team previously split the series with the Chanticleers, winning 73‑60 in Conway but dropping a 69‑62 decision at home.
A February 18 matchup against Georgia Southern marks the first-ever meeting in Sun Belt play, following a double‑overtime thriller that ended 84‑82 in ODU’s favor last season.
The final home game of the regular season arrives on February 20 against App State, setting the stage for the conference tournament.
Sun Belt Tournament in Pensacola
The regular season culminates with the Sun Belt Tournament, scheduled for March 2‑8 at the Pensacola Bay Center in Pensacola, Florida. The venue will host the conference’s top teams as they battle for the championship crown.