The Virginia Tech Hokies will open the 2026 season on September 5 when they host the VMI Keydets in Blacksburg, Virginia. The kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time and the game will be carried live on the ACC Network.
2026 Schedule Overview
The matchup adds another chapter to a rivalry that dates back to 1894, the year the Hokies first fielded a football team. Over the decades the two programs have met 79 times, with Virginia Tech holding a 49‑25‑5 edge in the all‑time series. The two schools played annually from 1913 through 1971 and again from 1973 to 1984, often on Thanksgiving Day in Roanoke, and their most recent meeting came in 1984.
Alongside the opener, Virginia Tech released the television and time slots for four additional contests. The Hokies travel to face Old Dominion on September 12 at noon ET, a game that will air on the CW. A week later they return home to take on Maryland on September 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET, with the broadcast slated for either Fox or FS1. The schedule then moves to October 2, when Pittsburgh visits Lane Stadium for a 7 p.m. ET showdown on ESPN, and culminates on November 6 with a road trip to Dallas to meet SMU, also on ESPN.
Head coach James Franklin said the slate reflects the program’s ambition to compete at the highest level while honoring its historic connections. He emphasized that each opponent brings a unique challenge, and the broadcast partners were chosen to give fans the best possible viewing experience.