Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan-Eastern Michigan Football to Play at Ford Field
1/21/2026 12:58:00 PM | Football
The two schools will play in Detroit for the next two seasons.
DETROIT, Mich.—Get ready, the Chippewas and Eagles are bringing MACtion to the Motor City! Central Michigan University and Eastern Michigan University announced today, Jan. 21, that for the next two years, beginning with the 2026 season, the in-state foes will meet in a midweek November game at Ford Field. The Mid-American Conference will release the 2026 game date in early March.
"This will be an incredible experience for our student-athletes and fans to be able to participate in two regular season games at Ford Field in Detroit," said Zyzelewski Family Vice President/Director of Athletics Amy Folan. "Our goal is to showcase the entire University in one of our most important markets. We have over 70,000 alumni in the metropolitan Detroit region, and we are happy to bring CMU to them to reconnect. I want to thank the Detroit Lions, the Mid-American Conference, and Eastern Michigan Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee for coming together to make this outstanding opportunity happen."
CMU President Neil MacKinnon says playing exciting MAC games in Detroit will strengthen the ties between the city and the university.
"These games are a tremendous way to showcase CMU's connection with the city of Detroit and the metro Detroit area, and the relationships we continue to build in the region. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with EMU and the Detroit Lions," MacKinnon said. "We know CMU Chippewa fans, including our dedicated alumni, will show up to support the maroon and gold on game day in downtown Detroit."
"Taking this rivalry to Detroit places Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, and the Mid-American Conference on a major stage in a city with a strong football tradition," said EMU Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee. "Ford Field offers a championship setting for the student-athletes and improves access for our 98,000 alumni across metro Detroit. I cannot thank CMU Athletic Director Amy Folan and the Detroit Lions enough for their partnership, as it shows a commitment to expanding college football experiences in the region and strengthening connections between both universities and the city."
"Playing this game in Detroit strengthens Eastern Michigan's connection to the community where our alumni presence is strongest," said EMU President James Smith. "Wayne County is home to more EMU graduates than anywhere else in Michigan, and Ford Field offers a powerful gathering place for alumni, students, and supporters to come together and show their pride. Partnering with Central Michigan on this stage also sparks the kind of spirited, good-natured rivalry that builds excitement leading up to game week and elevates both universities in the eyes of fans across the state."
Eastern Michigan will serve as the home team in 2026, and Central Michigan in 2027.
"We have enjoyed decades of college football here at Ford Field, and it's exciting that we've been able to add another matchup to the schedule featuring two teams from the Mid-American Conference," said Brad Michaels, Detroit Lions Vice President of Events. "Alongside the MAC, Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan football have been familiar faces at our stadium over the years and we look forward to being the home for their annual rivalry game in 2026 and 2027. We can't wait to welcome the schools' athletes, students, staff, alumni and general fans to the Ford Field experience."
Tickets for the 2026 game will go on sale in the spring.
Central Michigan has enjoyed a rich tradition at Ford Field. The venue serves as Central Michigan's "Home Away From Home" as the Chippewas just played their 11th all-time game in the stadium against Northwestern in the 2025 GameAbove Sports Bowl on December 26 before a crowd of nearly 28,000. Those games at Ford Field include six bowl contests, four MAC Championship games, and one regular season matchup.
The two most attended bowl games in Detroit history were contests that featured Central Michigan: the 2006 Motor City Bowl versus Middle Tennessee and the 2007 Motor City Bowl against Purdue. In Central Michigan's 11 appearances at Ford Field, the Chippewas have averaged 32,962 fans per game.
Eastern Michigan hosted games at the venue from 2004 through 2007, including one against CMU on Nov. 6, 2004, a four-overtime thriller.
The football series between Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan is the longest running in the MAC at 103 games. It also is the second-longest running series within the state of Michigan, trailing only the Michigan-Michigan State one, which has been played 118 times. Central Michigan holds a 65-32-6 record versus the Eagles dating back to the first game in the series on Nov. 1, 1902.
Central Michigan completed its 2025 season with a 7-6 overall record, went 7-3 vs. non-Power-4 opponents, and finished in fifth place in the MAC with a 5-3 record. The Chippewas recorded one of the best one-year turnarounds in the nation as they improved from a four-win season in 2024 to a seven-win season in 2025.
Central Michigan and the Mid-American Conference will announce its entire 2026 football schedule in early spring.
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"This will be an incredible experience for our student-athletes and fans to be able to participate in two regular season games at Ford Field in Detroit," said Zyzelewski Family Vice President/Director of Athletics Amy Folan. "Our goal is to showcase the entire University in one of our most important markets. We have over 70,000 alumni in the metropolitan Detroit region, and we are happy to bring CMU to them to reconnect. I want to thank the Detroit Lions, the Mid-American Conference, and Eastern Michigan Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee for coming together to make this outstanding opportunity happen."
CMU President Neil MacKinnon says playing exciting MAC games in Detroit will strengthen the ties between the city and the university.
"These games are a tremendous way to showcase CMU's connection with the city of Detroit and the metro Detroit area, and the relationships we continue to build in the region. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with EMU and the Detroit Lions," MacKinnon said. "We know CMU Chippewa fans, including our dedicated alumni, will show up to support the maroon and gold on game day in downtown Detroit."
"Taking this rivalry to Detroit places Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, and the Mid-American Conference on a major stage in a city with a strong football tradition," said EMU Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee. "Ford Field offers a championship setting for the student-athletes and improves access for our 98,000 alumni across metro Detroit. I cannot thank CMU Athletic Director Amy Folan and the Detroit Lions enough for their partnership, as it shows a commitment to expanding college football experiences in the region and strengthening connections between both universities and the city."
"Playing this game in Detroit strengthens Eastern Michigan's connection to the community where our alumni presence is strongest," said EMU President James Smith. "Wayne County is home to more EMU graduates than anywhere else in Michigan, and Ford Field offers a powerful gathering place for alumni, students, and supporters to come together and show their pride. Partnering with Central Michigan on this stage also sparks the kind of spirited, good-natured rivalry that builds excitement leading up to game week and elevates both universities in the eyes of fans across the state."
Eastern Michigan will serve as the home team in 2026, and Central Michigan in 2027.
"We have enjoyed decades of college football here at Ford Field, and it's exciting that we've been able to add another matchup to the schedule featuring two teams from the Mid-American Conference," said Brad Michaels, Detroit Lions Vice President of Events. "Alongside the MAC, Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan football have been familiar faces at our stadium over the years and we look forward to being the home for their annual rivalry game in 2026 and 2027. We can't wait to welcome the schools' athletes, students, staff, alumni and general fans to the Ford Field experience."
Tickets for the 2026 game will go on sale in the spring.
Central Michigan has enjoyed a rich tradition at Ford Field. The venue serves as Central Michigan's "Home Away From Home" as the Chippewas just played their 11th all-time game in the stadium against Northwestern in the 2025 GameAbove Sports Bowl on December 26 before a crowd of nearly 28,000. Those games at Ford Field include six bowl contests, four MAC Championship games, and one regular season matchup.
The two most attended bowl games in Detroit history were contests that featured Central Michigan: the 2006 Motor City Bowl versus Middle Tennessee and the 2007 Motor City Bowl against Purdue. In Central Michigan's 11 appearances at Ford Field, the Chippewas have averaged 32,962 fans per game.
Eastern Michigan hosted games at the venue from 2004 through 2007, including one against CMU on Nov. 6, 2004, a four-overtime thriller.
The football series between Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan is the longest running in the MAC at 103 games. It also is the second-longest running series within the state of Michigan, trailing only the Michigan-Michigan State one, which has been played 118 times. Central Michigan holds a 65-32-6 record versus the Eagles dating back to the first game in the series on Nov. 1, 1902.
Central Michigan completed its 2025 season with a 7-6 overall record, went 7-3 vs. non-Power-4 opponents, and finished in fifth place in the MAC with a 5-3 record. The Chippewas recorded one of the best one-year turnarounds in the nation as they improved from a four-win season in 2024 to a seven-win season in 2025.
Central Michigan and the Mid-American Conference will announce its entire 2026 football schedule in early spring.
Follow Central Michigan Football: TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
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