JACKSON, Miss. | The Jackson State University Division of Athletics announced the 2026 football schedule featuring five home games and four classics beginning with a Week Zero match-up.
Jackson State (9-3, 7-1 SWAC last season) opens the season on the road on Aug. 29 when it renews a rivalry against Tennessee State in the John Merritt Classic in Nashville. The two teams have met 47 times since 1975, and this will be the first meeting since Sept. 10, 2022 when the Tigers won 16-3 in Memphis (Tenn.). They follow that contest up with a pair home classics, beginning with the Hope Labor Day Classic on Sept. 5 against Edward Waters in the first meeting between the two schools.
They will stay at Veterans Memorial Stadium following an off week, facing Tuskegee on Sept. 19 in the W.C. Gorden Classic for the second consecutive year. The two teams have met four times with Jackson State holding a 3-1 advantage including the shutout last season. Jackson State plays its third consecutive home game when it faces Southern to open Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play on Sept. 26. The series is tied at 36-all since 1958, however, Jackson State has won the last seven meetings between the two.
The Tigers hit the road for back-to-back games beginning with the Gulf Coast Challenge against Alabama A&M at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile (Ala.) on Oct. 3 in a series the Tigers lead 18-12, including winning the last five games. The road swing closes on Oct. 10 Grambling State, the 72nd meeting between the two schools since 1956.
A pair of games against the schools from the state of Florida highlight the schedule to close out October beginning with Florida A&M on Oct. 17. The two teams have met 24 times with Jackson State holding a 14-8-2 advantage, winning the last two meetings. They hit the road to Daytona Beach (Fla.) to face Bethune-Cookman on Oct. 24 in the 12th meeting between the schools, a series that Jackson State leads 8-3 (winners of the last four).
They close out the home portion of the schedule on Nov. 7 against Mississippi Valley State, a series that the Tigers have dominated and lead 57-5-1.
Following the MVSU contest, Jackson State closes out the season with back-to-back road games beginning with Alabama State on Nov. 14. The Tigers leads the all-time series 37-15-1, including winning the last two games and four of the last five. They close the season against rival Alcorn State on Nov. 21, leading the series against the Braves 31-21.
Season tickets are currently on sale at GoJSUTigers.com/tickets and at the box offices.
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