The 2026 Sun Belt football season will officially open with Media Days on July 15 and 16 in New Orleans, where the conference’s member schools will gather to preview the upcoming campaign.
A milestone season
The Sun Belt made headlines last year when it secured its first College Football Playoff berth, and it continues to dominate non‑autonomy bowl play with the best winning percentage in the playoff era.
Three new head coaches—Ryan Beard, Billy Napier and Blake Anderson—will be on hand for the festivities, joining longtime leaders such as Sonny Cumbie, who will bring Louisiana Tech into the Sun Belt spotlight for the first time.
Conference Commissioner Keith Gill will kick off the event with a State of the Conference address on July 15, setting the tone for what promises to be a competitive year across both divisions.
Division‑by‑division schedule
East Division programs are slated to appear on the first day, while West Division teams will take the stage on July 16. The full roster of media day participants and a detailed daily agenda are expected to be released in the coming weeks.