The Patriot League announced its full 2026 football schedule on Friday, Jan. 2, with the Holy Cross football team slated to play 12 contests this upcoming season. 

The Crusaders' schedule includes six home games at Fitton Field and nine Patriot League opponents — including Villanova and William & Mary, who will join the league this fall as associate members. 

The Patriot League will continue to feature a full conference schedule to determine the League champion and automatic bid to the NCAA DI FCS Championship. Due to the odd number of League games, Patriot League programs will rotate between five and four home games during the upcoming scheduling cycle.

The 2026 season opens with a full slate of Patriot League games, with the Crusaders hosting back-to-back conference champion Lehigh on Aug. 29 at Fitton Field. Holy Cross will then travel to Colgate for a Week 2 Patriot League matchup on Sept. 5. 

The Crusaders head to Oxford, Ohio for an FBS matchup with Miami (OH) on Sept. 12 before returning home on Sept. 19 for a contest against reigning Ivy League champion Yale.

Holy Cross will play back-to-back league games on the road, with a Sept. 26 matchup at Lafayette followed by an Oct. 3 contest at William & Mary. Following a bye week, the Crusaders will play at Harvard on Oct. 17.

To close out the year, Holy Cross will play five straight league opponents, with four of the Crusaders' final five games to be played at home. Bucknell (Oct. 24) and Richmond (Oct. 31) will visit Fitton Field before the Crusaders travel to Georgetown on Nov. 7. Holy Cross will then host 2025 national semifinalist Villanova on Nov. 14 before rounding out the regular season on Nov. 21 against Fordham. 

Fans can subscribe for email alerts about ticket opportunities and other news updates on the Holy Cross football program. 

A full league schedule is available on the Patriot League website. 

2026 Holy Cross Football Schedule
Aug. 29 | vs. Lehigh*
Sept. 5 | at Colgate*
Sept. 12 | at Miami (OH)
Sept. 19 | vs. Yale
Sept. 26 | at Lafayette*
Oct. 3 | at William & Mary*
Oct. 10 | Bye
Oct. 17 | at Harvard
Oct. 24 | vs. Bucknell*
Oct. 31 | vs. Richmond*
Nov. 7 | at Georgetown*
Nov. 14 | vs. Villanova*
Nov. 21 | vs. Fordham*

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