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.
Updated: April 13, 2026
Out-of-Conference Opponents:
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
- Sept. 12 vs. Bluefield College (VA)
- Sept. 26 vs. West Alabama
👉 Barton will play a diverse group of non-conference teams, including two from the CIAA, one from NAIA football and the other from the Gulf South Conference.
UNC Pembroke
- Aug. 27 (Thu): vs. Wingate
Sept. 5: at Fayetteville State - Sept. 19: vs. Valdosta State
- Sept. 26: vs. Monroe (NJCAA)
👉 UNCP will renew acquaintances with two regional rivals to start the season, including a Thursday night showdown against SAC power Wingate in Week 0
Chowan
- Aug. 29: at West Virginia State
- Sept. 5: at UVA Wise
- Sept. 12: vs. Virginia Union
- Oct. 3: at West Alabama
👉 Chowan, which has been a member of both the CIAA and Gulf South in recent years, will play one opponent from each former league in non-conference action — Virginia Union (CIAA) and West Alabama (GSC).
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
- Hosting three of its four non-conference games, including a Sept. 12 date against Bluefield College from the NAIA ranks
- 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
- Opening the season with two of the state’s top D2 programs in Wingate and Fayetteville State
- Playing in the first conference game of the season at Shorter (Sept. 12), then enjoying four home games in a row
- 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.
- Welcoming Erskine for homecoming on Oct. 17 and holding its Hall of Fame day for the regular season finale against Shorter on Nov. 7
- Not playing regional rival Elizabeth City State this season but meeting former CIAA foe Virginia Union as well as West Virginia State (Mountain East), UVA Wise (South Atlantic) and West Alabama (Gulf South) in a diverse non-league schedule.
👉 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.
The Nov. 14 weekend also could bring crossover games for teams not in the Conference Carolinas Bowl. Chowan and Barton played for a second time on championship weekend a year ago.
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
