Old Dominion University's men's soccer program unveiled its 2026 schedule on Wednesday, outlining a demanding slate that blends early‑season exhibitions with a series of high‑profile matchups before stepping into Sun Belt Conference play.
The Monarchs will begin with two tune‑up games before opening the regular season on the road against George Washington in Washington, D.C., a contest that will set the tone for the year.
Non‑conference highlights
Home dates include contests against Elon on Monday, August 24, Lehigh on Friday, August 28, Radford on Wednesday, September 2, Bucknell on Sunday, September 6 and UMBC on Friday, September 11, giving the team a chance to build momentum in front of its fans.
In‑state rivalries pepper the schedule, with a Monday, September 14 showdown against VCU in Richmond and a Tuesday, September 22 meeting with William & Mary in Norfolk, the latter serving as the centerpiece of the TowneBank Royal Rivalry.
The first Sun Belt Conference test arrives on Friday, September 18 when Old Dominion hosts South Carolina, followed by a home clash with William & Mary on Tuesday, September 22 before the team travels to Statesboro to meet Georgia Southern on Sunday, September 27.
The Monarchs will then embark on a series of road trips, visiting Lexington, Kentucky to face Kentucky Wildcats on Friday, October 2, and later taking on West Virginia in Huntington on Tuesday, November 3, rounding out a schedule that Head Coach Tennant McVea says is designed to test the team against a variety of playing styles.
Among the returning players are Evan Watt, Alex Kryazhev, Yusef Gueye, William Arnesen, Lewis Rourke, Mohammed Ibrahim, Otu Bisong and Pablo Pozos, each bringing experience and skill to the squad.