Conference Carolinas released its 2026 football schedule on Thursday, March 26, outlining the league slate for Barton, UNC Pembroke, Chowan and other member schools.
The conference season begins on Saturday, Sept. 12, with UNC Pembroke traveling to Shorter.
The first full slate of league games is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10, while the Conference Carolinas Bowl — the league’s championship game — will be held on Nov. 14 at the home field of the top seed.
The 2026 season marks the second year of Conference Carolinas football after the league returned to the gridiron in 2025 for the first time in more than 50 years. North Greenville won the 2025 conference championship, defeating UNC Pembroke and earning the league’s automatic berth into the D2 playoffs.
What We Know So Far: Out-of-Conference
Here are confirmed non-conference games for our state’s three teams in Conference Carolinas:
Barton
- Aug. 27 (Thu): at Virginia State
- Sept. 5: vs Shaw
UNC Pembroke
- Sept. 5: at Fayetteville State
Chowan
- None known yet
2026 Conference Carolinas Schedule: League Games Only
Week 2 (September 12)
UNC Pembroke at Shorter
Week 3 (September 19)
Barton at Chowan
Week 4 (September 26)
North Greenville at Ferrum
Shorter at Erskine
Week 5 (October 3)
Ferrum at Barton
North Greenville at UNC Pembroke
Week 6 (October 10)
Chowan at North Greenville
Erskine at UNC Pembroke
Ferrum at Shorter
Week 7 (October 17)
Erskine at Chowan
UNC Pembroke at Barton
Shorter at North Greenville
Week 8 (October 24)
Chowan at UNC Pembroke
Ferrum at Erskine
North Greenville at Barton
Week 9 (October 31)
Barton at Shorter
Chowan at Ferrum
Erskine at North Greenville
Week 10 (November 7)
Barton at Erskine
UNC Pembroke at Ferrum
Shorter at Chowan
Week 11 (November 14)
Conference Carolinas Bowl (championship game)
Team-by-Team Schedule Breakdown (NC Teams)
Barton
- Opening conference play at Chowan on Sept. 19. The teams played twice last season, with Barton winning the opener and Chowan capturing the season finale
- Tough closing slate with home games against the top two league teams from 2025 (UNCP and North Greenville), then traveling to Shorter, Erskine
- Known non-conference opponents include CIAA foes Virginia State and Shaw the first two weeks
👉 View Barton’s football schedule page
UNC Pembroke
- Playing in the first conference game of the season at Shorter (Sept. 12)
- Hosting North Greenville in a rematch of the 2025 Conference Carolinas Bowl on Oct. 3. UNCP lost to the Trailblazers twice last season
- Facing in-state rivals, Barton and Chowan, on back-to-back Saturdays in October
👉 View UNC Pembroke’s football schedule page
Chowan
- Entertaining Barton early in the season (Sept. 19) after playing the Bulldogs on the road twice in 2025
- Facing both 2025 championship game participants on the road, at North Greenville on Oct. 10 and at UNCP on Oct. 24.
- No known non-conference games yet, though the Hawks have played regional rival Elizabeth City State in recent years.
👉 View Chowan’s football schedule page
Conference Carolinas Bowl Returns
- Conference Championship Game
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026
- Hosted by top seed
- Auto bid to D2 playoffs at stake
North Greenville captured the inaugural Conference Carolinas Bowl in 2025, defeating UNC Pembroke 34-20 to claim the league title. The Trailblazers broke a 20-20 tie in the third quarter and pulled away late behind a standout performance from quarterback Dylan Ramirez, who accounted for four total touchdowns and earned MVP honors. The win secured North Greenville the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs.
We’ll update this page as Barton, Chowan and UNCP complete their 2026 football schedules.
Looking for more North Carolina college football schedules?
🏫 Team Schedules Hub – Browse full-season schedules by school
🗓️ Weekly Master Schedule – View all games organized by week
Conference Carolinas Team Schedules:
Barton | Chowan | UNC Pembroke
