GREENVILLE, N.C. – A rematch with NC State, a high-stakes rivalry game against Charlotte, and a gauntlet of showdowns against seven bowl teams headline East Carolina’s 2025 football schedule, released Friday by the American Athletic Conference.
The Pirates, coming off an 8-5 campaign and a Military Bowl victory, will open the year on Thursday, Aug. 28, in Raleigh against NC State, setting the stage for a revenge game for the Wolfpack after ECU’s 26-21 victory in Annapolis, MD.
The home slate includes emerging rival Charlotte (Nov. 8), an FCS matchup against Campbell (Sept. 6) and the return of BYU (Sept. 19/20) — a team ECU upset on the road in 2022.
The AAC portion of the schedule is just as challenging, featuring games against 2024 champion Army, ’24 runner-up Tulane and third-place Memphis, plus a late-season road trip to UTSA (third place in the conference in 2023).
☠️ Key Games on ECU’s 2025 Football Schedule
🐺 NC State Rematch in Raleigh (Aug. 28)
The Pirates stunned NC State in the 2024 Military Bowl, and now the two in-state rivals meet again in Raleigh to open the season. ECU will look to spoil the Wolfpack’s opener and grab another signature win in the series, which has been heated in recent years. East Carolina hasn’t won in Raleigh since the 2013 season.
🏡 Charlotte Comes to Greenville (Nov. 8)
ECU and Charlotte’s AAC rivalry is still fresh, but the 49ers have owned the matchup since entering the league in 2023.
The Pirates are 0-2 all-time against Charlotte, including a humbling 55-24 loss last season. The 2025 game at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium offers ECU a chance to turn the tide in front of a home crowd.
🏈 BYU Returns to Greenville (Sept. 19/20)
This matchup brings back great memories for ECU fans—the Pirates KO’d the Cougars 27-24 during the 2022 season when Andrew Conrad kicked a 33-yard field goal as the clock hit zeroes.
BYU finished 11-2 last season, won the Alamo Bowl and ranked No. 13 in the final polls, making this a key benchmark game for East Carolina in its first full season under coach Blake Harrell.
🪖 AAC Champs Army Visits (Sept. 25/27)
ECU hosts defending AAC champion Army in a battle of two of the league’s upper division programs. The Pirates have dominated the all-time series (8-1), but Army went 12-2 last season, making this one of ECU’s toughest home games for 2025.
🌊 Road Trip to Tulane (Oct. 9)
Tulane has been one of the AAC’s top programs, reaching three straight conference title games and winning the league in 2022. A Thursday night road test against the Green Wave will be a pivotal matchup in the conference race.
🏆 Late-Season Road Challenge at UTSA (Nov. 22)
UTSA was AAC runner-up in 2023 and has been a consistent conference contender since joining the conference. ECU’s final road trip of the year will be another measuring stick game against a program that has posted three straight winning seasons.
🏴☠️ ECU’s 2025 Football Schedule
📅 Thu., Aug. 28 – at NC State
📅 Sat., Sept. 6 – vs. Campbell
📅 Sat., Sept. 13 – at Coastal Carolina
📅 Fri./Sat., Sept. 19/20 – vs. BYU
📅 Thu./Sat., Sept. 25/27 – vs. Army *
📅 Thu., Oct. 9 – at Tulane *
📅 Thu., Oct. 16 – vs. Tulsa *
📅 Sat., Nov. 1 – at Temple *
📅 Sat., Nov. 8 – vs. Charlotte *
📅 Sat., Nov. 15 – vs. Memphis *
📅 Sat., Nov. 22 – at UTSA *
📅 Sat., Nov. 29 – at Florida Atlantic *
📅 Fri./Sat., Dec. 5/6 – AAC Championship (highest-seed campus site)
* Denotes AAC game
⚔️ Toughest AAC Slate in Years
ECU’s AAC schedule could be a grind, with games against:
✅ 2024 AAC Champion Army (Sept. 25/27)
✅ 2024 AAC Runner-Up Tulane (Oct. 9)
✅ Third-place Memphis (Nov. 15)
✅ 2023 AAC runner-up UTSA (Nov. 22)
Seven of ECU’s opponents were bowl teams last season, making this one of the toughest schedules in the conference and the Group of Five.
🏠 Big Home Games for Pirate Nation
Fans at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium will get to see:
✅ Charlotte (AAC Rivalry Game, Nov. 8)
✅ Army (AAC Champions, Sept. 25/27)
✅ BYU (Nationally Ranked Team, Sept. 19/20)
✅ Memphis (Third Place in AAC, Nov. 15)
Stay Updated on East Carolina & Statewide College Football
Want to keep up with every game on Charlotte’s 2025 schedule? Bookmark our ECU Pirates Schedule page for quick access to kickoff times and TV listings (once they are announced), as well as game results throughout the season.
For die-hard college football fans across the state, we’re also compiling the most comprehensive college football schedule listing in North Carolina—featuring all 34 teams, all games, in one place. Check out our Master NC College Football Schedule to stay ahead of every matchup, from the FBS to FCS, D2, D3, NAIA and junior college.
Read East Carolina University’s original schedule release story here.
View the composite American Athletic Conference football schedule here.
🏈 Don’t miss a snap—follow NC Football News for updates, analysis and game-day coverage during the spring, summer and all season long! Post your favorite East Carolina Pirates football takes at our Twitter/X channel here.🚀
