Central Michigan University Athletics
Photo by: Lauren Verellen '26 - @laurenverellen_photography
Central Michigan Announces 2026 Football Promotions Schedule
7/31/2026 7:59:00 AM | Football, General, Our Stories
Promotional themes for Central Michigan’s six 2026 home football games are set; Chippewas will play five home contests on Saturdays in September and October.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—Central Michigan Athletics announced its 2026 home football promotions schedule on Thursday morning. Each game has a promotional theme, and CMU's full schedule is posted at this link.
Central Michigan's 2026 home football schedule features six games at Kramer/Deromedi Field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Five are scheduled for Saturdays in September and October, with one weeknight MACtion game.
Here is a look at the promotional themes for each game:
Saturday, Sept. 12, vs. Colgate, 1 p.m.
Family & Friends Weekend/Extra Yard for Teachers/Football Alumni Day/Home Opener
Two ticket promotions are available to fans, and Central Michigan will host a football alumni day when it hosts Colgate for its home opener. A Family & Friends ticket bundle is available, including a general admission ticket for $26 and a food voucher. Teachers and professors receive an Educators Appreciation ticket discount for $18 general admission or $25 reserved seat tickets, available via an online promo code or by presenting a school ID at ticket booths on game day. In-game recognitions will include the presentation of the Family of the Year award, CFP Extra Yard for Teachers award, CFP Dr. Pepper Go Teach Award, as well as all CMU football alumni in attendance. "Beat Colgate" buttons and 2026 CMU Football schedule magnets will be available at Fan Central.
Saturday, Sept. 19, vs. Wyoming, 1 p.m.
CMU & You Day/Band Day/Traditions Day
CMU & You Day will take place on the Central Michigan University campus, with participants and their families invited to attend the football game. CMU students are encouraged to invite their families to campus for this annual event, which is organized by Family Central. For its 72nd annual Band Day celebration, Central Michigan's Marching Band invites high school band students and their parents to campus from across the state. As part of Traditions Day, members of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe will perform their annual pre-game tribal drum ceremony. The University kicks off its Forge the Future capital campaign, and CMU Athletics will host a groundbreaking for its new golf facility at 10 a.m. in the field near Theunissen Stadium. In-game presentations will recognize the Saginaw Indian Tribe tribal council, and the Forge the Future capital campaign. "Beat Wyoming" buttons will be available at Fan Central.
Saturday, Oct. 3, vs. Akron, Time: TBA
2026 Homecoming Weekend
In a yearly tradition that began on Nov. 22, 1924, Central Michigan University will celebrate its 100th all-time Homecoming Game when it takes on Akron in its first MAC game. Multiple groups will be recognized during the game, including the Homecoming Grand Marshals and Maroon & Gold Ambassadors. Additional presentations include the recognition of CMU Athletics' prestigious Boyden and Enberg Award recipients. On Saturday morning before kickoff, the university will host its annual Homecoming parade. A variety of other on-campus Homecoming events will be announced later. Stay tuned for more details. Fans can stop by Fan Central to pick up "Beat Akron" buttons.
Saturday, Oct. 17, vs. Western Michigan, Time: TBA
Hall of Fame/Battle for the Victory Cannon Trophy
For the first time in 10 years, Central Michigan and Western Michigan play on a Saturday in Mount Pleasant for the annual Battle for the Victory Cannon Trophy Game. Central Michigan will honor its 2026 CMU Athletics Marcy Weston Hall of Fame Class and celebrate the 20-year reunion of the 2006 MAC Championship football team. In-game recognition will include Flag Officers and a halftime celebration for members of the 2026 CMU Athletics Hall of Fame. On Friday evening, CMU Athletics will recognize its 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame class during a free ceremony in McGuirk Arena (6 p.m.). "Beat Western" buttons will be available at Fan Central.
Saturday, Oct. 24, vs. Miami (Ohio), Time: TBA
Senior Day/Alumni Awards
Central Michigan will celebrate Senior Day when it hosts Miami (Ohio). The Chippewas will honor their football Senior Class in a pre-game ceremony. As part of the Alumni Awards promotion, Central Michigan will recognize its National Alumni and Alumni 10 within 10 recipients, along with its 2026 MAC Championship gymnastics team. "Beat Miami" buttons will also be available at Fan Central for all fans.
Wednesday, Nov. 11, vs. Sacramento State, 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.
Community Night/Salute to Service/MACtion Wednesday
For its final regular season home game, Central Michigan will host new MAC football member Sacramento State for a nationally televised MACtion Wednesday night contest on Veterans Day. As part of the Salute to Service promotion, active-duty service members and veterans can purchase $18 general admission or $25 reserved tickets via an online promotional code or by presenting a military ID at the ticket booth on game day. CMU is also hosting a Community Night promotion. CMU will recognize its Community Champions award winners, student-athlete letterwinners, and will honor a selected community veteran. "Beat Sacramento State" buttons will be available at Fan Central.
The Kids' Zone, located on the North side of the stadium near the Chippewa Champions Center, will open three hours before each game. It includes bounce houses, yard games, face painting, and a coloring station. Fans are encouraged to stop by Fan Central, located inside the main northwest stadium entrances, to pick up CMU sport schedule posters and giveaways.
Season tickets can be purchased or renewed online at Ticket Central at www.cmuchippewas.com at this link, or by calling the CMU Athletics Ticket Office at (989) 774-3045.
Central Michigan and the Mid-American Conference will announce additional kickoff times and television appearances as they become available.
Follow Central Michigan Football: TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
This fall, there's no better place to be than Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Every home game brings unique promotions, unforgettable traditions, and fun for fans of all ages. Whether you're celebrating Homecoming, cheering alongside Michigan's top high school marching bands on Band Day,… pic.twitter.com/aMdKw3s6QT
— Central Michigan Football (@CMU_Football) July 24, 2026
Central Michigan's 2026 home football schedule features six games at Kramer/Deromedi Field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Five are scheduled for Saturdays in September and October, with one weeknight MACtion game.
Here is a look at the promotional themes for each game:
Saturday, Sept. 12, vs. Colgate, 1 p.m.
Family & Friends Weekend/Extra Yard for Teachers/Football Alumni Day/Home Opener
Two ticket promotions are available to fans, and Central Michigan will host a football alumni day when it hosts Colgate for its home opener. A Family & Friends ticket bundle is available, including a general admission ticket for $26 and a food voucher. Teachers and professors receive an Educators Appreciation ticket discount for $18 general admission or $25 reserved seat tickets, available via an online promo code or by presenting a school ID at ticket booths on game day. In-game recognitions will include the presentation of the Family of the Year award, CFP Extra Yard for Teachers award, CFP Dr. Pepper Go Teach Award, as well as all CMU football alumni in attendance. "Beat Colgate" buttons and 2026 CMU Football schedule magnets will be available at Fan Central.
Saturday, Sept. 19, vs. Wyoming, 1 p.m.
CMU & You Day/Band Day/Traditions Day
CMU & You Day will take place on the Central Michigan University campus, with participants and their families invited to attend the football game. CMU students are encouraged to invite their families to campus for this annual event, which is organized by Family Central. For its 72nd annual Band Day celebration, Central Michigan's Marching Band invites high school band students and their parents to campus from across the state. As part of Traditions Day, members of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe will perform their annual pre-game tribal drum ceremony. The University kicks off its Forge the Future capital campaign, and CMU Athletics will host a groundbreaking for its new golf facility at 10 a.m. in the field near Theunissen Stadium. In-game presentations will recognize the Saginaw Indian Tribe tribal council, and the Forge the Future capital campaign. "Beat Wyoming" buttons will be available at Fan Central.
Saturday, Oct. 3, vs. Akron, Time: TBA
2026 Homecoming Weekend
In a yearly tradition that began on Nov. 22, 1924, Central Michigan University will celebrate its 100th all-time Homecoming Game when it takes on Akron in its first MAC game. Multiple groups will be recognized during the game, including the Homecoming Grand Marshals and Maroon & Gold Ambassadors. Additional presentations include the recognition of CMU Athletics' prestigious Boyden and Enberg Award recipients. On Saturday morning before kickoff, the university will host its annual Homecoming parade. A variety of other on-campus Homecoming events will be announced later. Stay tuned for more details. Fans can stop by Fan Central to pick up "Beat Akron" buttons.
Saturday, Oct. 17, vs. Western Michigan, Time: TBA
Hall of Fame/Battle for the Victory Cannon Trophy
For the first time in 10 years, Central Michigan and Western Michigan play on a Saturday in Mount Pleasant for the annual Battle for the Victory Cannon Trophy Game. Central Michigan will honor its 2026 CMU Athletics Marcy Weston Hall of Fame Class and celebrate the 20-year reunion of the 2006 MAC Championship football team. In-game recognition will include Flag Officers and a halftime celebration for members of the 2026 CMU Athletics Hall of Fame. On Friday evening, CMU Athletics will recognize its 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame class during a free ceremony in McGuirk Arena (6 p.m.). "Beat Western" buttons will be available at Fan Central.
Saturday, Oct. 24, vs. Miami (Ohio), Time: TBA
Senior Day/Alumni Awards
Central Michigan will celebrate Senior Day when it hosts Miami (Ohio). The Chippewas will honor their football Senior Class in a pre-game ceremony. As part of the Alumni Awards promotion, Central Michigan will recognize its National Alumni and Alumni 10 within 10 recipients, along with its 2026 MAC Championship gymnastics team. "Beat Miami" buttons will also be available at Fan Central for all fans.
Wednesday, Nov. 11, vs. Sacramento State, 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.
Community Night/Salute to Service/MACtion Wednesday
For its final regular season home game, Central Michigan will host new MAC football member Sacramento State for a nationally televised MACtion Wednesday night contest on Veterans Day. As part of the Salute to Service promotion, active-duty service members and veterans can purchase $18 general admission or $25 reserved tickets via an online promotional code or by presenting a military ID at the ticket booth on game day. CMU is also hosting a Community Night promotion. CMU will recognize its Community Champions award winners, student-athlete letterwinners, and will honor a selected community veteran. "Beat Sacramento State" buttons will be available at Fan Central.
The Kids' Zone, located on the North side of the stadium near the Chippewa Champions Center, will open three hours before each game. It includes bounce houses, yard games, face painting, and a coloring station. Fans are encouraged to stop by Fan Central, located inside the main northwest stadium entrances, to pick up CMU sport schedule posters and giveaways.
Season tickets can be purchased or renewed online at Ticket Central at www.cmuchippewas.com at this link, or by calling the CMU Athletics Ticket Office at (989) 774-3045.
Central Michigan and the Mid-American Conference will announce additional kickoff times and television appearances as they become available.
Follow Central Michigan Football: TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
—CMU—
Wednesday, July 29
Wednesday, July 29
Thursday, July 23
Thursday, July 23