Hampton football is primed to make program history.
The Pirates will play a Power 4 conference team for the first time, the school announced on Wednesday.
The Pirates will travel to College Park, Maryland, on Sept. 5, 2026, for a monumental matchup against the Maryland Terrapins.
This will be Hampton’s inaugural test against a Power 4 team, marking a significant step for the historically Black university’s football program.
In 2027, Hampton heads further south for its first-ever contest against an ACC opponent. The Pirates will face Georgia Tech in Atlanta on Sept. 4, 2027—a significant showcase for a program determined to raise its national profile.
Georgia Tech has added Hampton to its 2027 schedule. Previously scheduled game against Arkansas State has been moved to 2028.
In 2027, Tech now slated to face Georgia, Cal, UNC, Syracuse, Virginia and Hampton at home; Tennessee, Notre Dame, FSU, Miami, SMU and Wake Forest away.
— Chad Bishop (@MrChadBishop) August 13, 2025
Looking ahead to 2028, the schedule also features a renewed local rivalry, as Hampton will meet Old Dominion University. The Pirates and Monarchs last clashed in 2021, having played six times in the past decade.
Building Momentum in the CAA
Hampton concluded the previous season with a 5-7 record and a 2-6 mark in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), under the guidance of head coach Trent Boykin.
Boykin, who began the year as interim head coach, earned the permanent position after athletic director Anthony Henderson’s vote of confidence in October.
The Pirates will open their 2025 campaign on Aug. 30 at Jackson State, followed by their home opener against Elizabeth City State on Sept. 6.
By scheduling matchups with Power 4 opponents, Hampton is doubling down on its commitment to program growth and exposure.
