The MEAC will once again enjoy significant national television exposure during the 2026 football season, with 23 games slated to air across the ESPN family of networks and ABC.
Fresh off another HBCU national championship, South Carolina State will be one of the conference’s most visible program with seven scheduled national television appearances, including marquee matchups on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN+.
The Bulldogs’ television slate includes:
- Aug. 29 vs. Savannah State (ESPN+)
- Sept. 6 vs. Florida A&M (ESPN)
- Oct. 24 vs. Norfolk State (ESPN+)
- Oct. 29 vs. Morgan State (ESPNU)
- Nov. 5 vs. Howard (ESPNU)
- Nov. 14 vs. North Carolina Central (ESPN+)
- Nov. 21 vs. Delaware State (ESPN+)
South Carolina State’s season opener against Florida A&M is one of the conference’s premier non-conference showcases, while the Bulldogs also close the season with three nationally televised conference games.
North Carolina Central also will receive plenty of exposure.
The Eagles aren’t far behind with seven appearances of their own, reinforcing their status as one of the MEAC’s premier brands.
The Eagles are scheduled to face:
- North Carolina A&T
- William & Mary
- Delaware State
- Howard
- Norfolk State
- Morgan State
- South Carolina State
Nearly every key conference matchup involving NC Central will be available to a national audience.
Both Howard and Morgan State will appear five times on national television.
Howard’s schedule features rivalry games against Morehouse, Morgan State, North Carolina Central, South Carolina State, Delaware State and Norfolk State.
Morgan State’s television slate includes contests against Robert Morris, Howard, South Carolina State, Delaware State, Norfolk State and North Carolina Central.
𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐬!🏈
The 2026 ESPN x MEAC Football broadcast schedule is officially set, with 23 nationally televised games throughout the season on various espn networks.#BuiltByUs #MEACFootball pic.twitter.com/VQnfKU9oLV
— Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (@MEACSports) August 5, 2026
DeSean Jackson, Michael Vick-led teams will have a strong presence
Norfolk State and Delaware State — fresh off the biggest turnaround in the FCS last season — are each slated for four televised games.
Norfolk State’s appearances include games against South Carolina State, Delaware State, North Carolina Central, Morgan State and Howard.
Delaware State’s featured contests include matchups with North Carolina Central, Morgan State, Howard and South Carolina State.
Big-time MEAC football games take centerstage on network TV
Beyond conference play, two signature events highlight the schedule:
- MEAC/SWAC Challenge (Aug. 29 on ABC)
- Celebration Bowl (Dec. 12 on ABC)
Those games provide the conference with its largest national platforms and bookend the season on broadcast television.
ABC/ESPN network appearances by school
South Carolina State 7
North Carolina Central 7
Howard 6
Morgan State 6
Norfolk State 5
Delaware State 5
