Virginia Tech football's 2026 schedule was released on Wednesday during a two-hour show on the ACC Network. The Hokies open the James Franklin era on Saturday, Sept. 5, vs. VMI.
Their slate features road trips to Boston, the Bay Area, Clemson, Dallas and Miami. Four of their first seven games are in Lane Stadium, and they close with two of their final three at home, including the traditional end-of-season contest vs. Virginia.
Here's a rundown of the schedule:
| DATE | OPPONENT | TIME, TV |
| Apr. 18 |  Spring Game |
3:30 p.m. ET |
| Sept. 5 |  VMI |
TBD |
| Sept. 12 |  Old Dominion |
TBD |
| Sept. 19 |  at Maryland |
TBD |
| Sept. 26 |  at Boston College |
TBD |
| Oct. 2 (Fri.) |  Pitt |
TBD |
| Oct. 10 |  at Cal |
TBD |
| Oct. 17 |  Georgia Tech |
TBD |
| Oct. 24 |  at Clemson |
TBD |
| Oct. 31 | OPEN | TBD |
| Nov. 6 (Fri.) OR Nov. 7 (Sat.) |  at SMU |
TBD |
| Nov. 14 |  Stanford |
TBD |
| Nov. 20 (Fri.) |  at Miami |
TBD |
| Nov. 28 |  Virginia |
TBD |
| Dec. 5 |  ACC Champ. Gm. |
Noon ET, ABC |
| Jan. 3 Loss (A) |  Minnesota 24, VT 10 
Record: 6-7 (4-4 ACC)
TSL Coverage: Click here |
TBD |
Tech's non-conference schedule — vs. VMI (Sept. 5), vs. Old Dominion (Sept. 12) and at Maryland (Sept. 19) — was already set. While it's the Hokies' first matchup with the Keydets since 1984, it's the fifth straight year they've met the Monarchs. On the other hand, their last trip to College Park was Nov. 14, 2009. Interestingly, Franklin was on Ralph Friedgen's coaching staff at that time.
Tech's league opener is Saturday, Sept. 26, at Boston College. It's the fifth time it's kicked off ACC play against the Eagles, joining the 2010, 2016, 2019 and 2022 teams, who went 3-1 in those contests.
It's a quick turnaround as the Hokies will return home to host Pitt on Friday, Oct. 2. While at Penn State, Franklin was 3-1 against Pat Narduzzi and the Panthers — a loss in 2016, followed by three straight wins in 2017-19.
On an extra day of rest, the Hokies will head to the West Coast for their first-ever game at Cal on Saturday, Oct. 10. They've met the Golden Bears twice before — in Phoenix for the 2003 Insight Bowl and in Blacksburg last season, a 42-34 double-overtime victory for Tech — but never in Berkeley. Cal has a new head coach in Tosh Lupoi, formerly the defensive coordinator at Oregon.
Upon returning to Blacksburg, Georgia Tech comes to town on Saturday, Oct. 17 — a likely date for homecoming. Then it's a trip to Clemson for the Hokies on Saturday, Oct. 24. It'll mark their first visit to Memorial Stadium since Oct. 20, 2012, and just their third since joining the ACC. They beat the Tigers 41-23 there in 2007 behind two special teams touchdowns from Eddie Royal and Macho Harris.
Tech's open week falls on Halloween — Saturday, Oct. 31. Unlike the last two seasons, where the calendar shaped up for two open weeks, teams will only get one in 2026.
On either Friday, Nov. 6, or Saturday, Nov. 7, the Hokies will play in Dallas for the first time in 52 years when they visit SMU. They're 0-2 against the Mustangs in Texas, with the most recent meeting a 28-25 defeat in the Cotton Bowl on Sept. 21, 1974. Through two seasons in the ACC, SMU is 20-7 (14-2 ACC) and went to the 2024 College Football Playoff.
Tech closes the year with two of its final three games at home, beginning with Stanford. The Cardinal ventures to Blacksburg for the first time on Sat., Nov. 14, under first-year head coach Tavita Pritchard.
Then it's off to South Florida for the Hokies, who will face Miami on Friday, Nov. 20. The Hurricanes are the national runner-ups and have won five in a row in the series. The last clash in Hard Rock Stadium came down to a controversial Hail Mary.
Virginia Tech closes the season at home against Virginia on Saturday, Nov. 28. The Cavaliers are fresh off an 11-3 (7-1) season, which included a 27-7 win over the Hokies in Charlottesville. However, they've lost 12 in a row in Blacksburg and 24 of the last 27 overall.
Here are links to complete information on all ACC football schedules, via the ACC: