2026 Ragin’ Cajuns Football Schedule
Football season is almost here, and Saturdays in Lafayette are about to get a whole lot louder.
The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns kick off the 2026 season at home on September 5, beginning a schedule that features six home games and plenty of reasons to break out the red.
As the Official Boudin of the Ragin’ Cajuns, The Best Stop is proud to be part of game day. Whether you’re tailgating outside the stadium, hosting a watch party, or following the Cajuns on the road, make sure there’s plenty of boudin to go around.
For the latest official schedule updates, kickoff information, and game details, fans should check Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics throughout the season.
Here’s where you can catch the Cajuns in 2026.
Look for the 🌶️ to find the home games!
September: Football Returns to Lafayette
Image Source: https://ragincajuns.com/sports/football
September brings the start of the season and three opportunities to watch Louisiana football before the calendar turns to October.
🌶️ September 5 | vs. Lamar | 7 p.m. CST
Herbert Heymann Football Classic
The Cajuns open the season at home, giving fans the perfect excuse to fire up the grill and start tailgating early.
September 12 | at USC | 10 p.m. CST
Louisiana heads west for its first road game of the season.
🌶️ September 19 | vs. UAB | 7 p.m. CST
Gridiron Alumni Day
The Cajuns return to Lafayette for another Saturday night home game.
September 26 | at Charlotte | TBA
Louisiana closes out September on the road.
Conference information, standings, and football updates are also available through the Sun Belt Conference as the season progresses.
October: Homecoming, Family Weekend & Road Trips
October brings a mix of conference play, home traditions, and road games.
🌶️ October 3 | vs. Arkansas State | TBA
Homecoming
Homecoming is always one of the biggest weekends on the Lafayette football calendar. Between alumni gatherings, tailgates, and a packed game-day atmosphere, this is one date Cajuns fans will want circled early.
October 10 | at Louisiana Tech | TBA
Louisiana hits the road for an in-state matchup.
🌶️ October 17 | vs. Troy | TBA
Family Weekend
Family Weekend brings another home game and another opportunity to gather before kickoff.
October 24 | at Southern Miss | TBA
The Cajuns head back on the road for another late-October matchup.
October 31 | Open Date
Halloween weekend gives Louisiana a break before the final stretch of the season.
National schedule and score coverage can also be followed through NCAA as teams move deeper into conference play.
November: The Final Push
By November, every game starts to feel a little bigger.
🌶️ November 7 | vs. South Alabama | TBA
Louisiana Salutes
The Cajuns return home to open the month with Louisiana Salutes.
November 12 | at ULM | 8 p.m. CST
Louisiana travels north for a Thursday night road game.
🌶️ November 21 | vs. Coastal Carolina | TBA
Senior Day
The final scheduled home game gives fans a chance to recognize the seniors and close out the home slate in Lafayette.
November 28 | at Georgia State | TBA
Louisiana finishes the regular-season schedule on the road.
For national game coverage and updated kickoff information once television windows are announced, fans can also follow ESPN and CBS Sports during the season.
2026 Ragin’ Cajuns Football Schedule at a Glance
Image Source: https://ragincajuns.com/news/2026/3/13/louisiana-sun-belt-unveil-2026-football-schedule
2026 Ragin’ Cajuns Football Schedule at a Glance
Save the dates and start planning your tailgates. The Cajuns have six home games in Lafayette this season, along with six road matchups.
September
🌶️ September 5 — vs. Lamar | 7 p.m. CST
Herbert Heymann Football Classic
September 12 — at USC | 10 p.m. CST
🌶️ September 19 — vs. UAB | 7 p.m. CST
Gridiron Alumni Day
September 26 — at Charlotte | TBA
October
🌶️ October 3 — vs. Arkansas State | TBA
Homecoming
October 10 — at Louisiana Tech | TBA
🌶️ October 17 — vs. Troy | TBA
Family Weekend
October 24 — at Southern Miss | TBA
October 31 — Open Date
November
🌶️ November 7 — vs. South Alabama | TBA
Louisiana Salutes
November 12 — at ULM | 8 p.m. CST
🌶️ November 21 — vs. Coastal Carolina | TBA
Senior Day
November 28 — at Georgia State | TBA
🌶️ = Home Game
Game dates and kickoff times are subject to change. Check Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics for the latest schedule information before game day.
Get Your Game Day Spread Ready
Image Source: https://www.beststopinscott.com/touchdown-worthy-eats-the-ultimate-game-day-menu/?utm
A Louisiana football Saturday calls for a spread that can feed the whole krewe.
Boudin is an easy place to start. Serve it warm on its own, pair it with crackers and cracklins, or work it into a game-day recipe that can stay warm throughout the afternoon.
If you’re hosting a crowd, consider building the menu around:
- Best Stop Boudin
- Cracklins
- Smoked sausage
- Tailgate trays
- Boudin Queso
- Cajun dips
- French bread
- Chips and crackers
- Easy grab-and-go appetizers
The goal is simple: serve food people can enjoy before kickoff without spending the entire morning in the kitchen.
Tailgating at Home Can Be Just as Good
Not every game requires a trip to the stadium.
Road games against USC, Charlotte, Louisiana Tech, Southern Miss, ULM, and Georgia State give fans plenty of opportunities to host watch parties at home.
A home tailgate can be as simple as putting out boudin, sausage, cracklins, queso, and a few cold drinks before the game starts.
For readers following Louisiana football coverage throughout the season, The Advocate is another regional source for Cajuns sports news and local context.
And if you’re outside Louisiana, The Best Stop makes it easy to bring Cajun game-day food to your own watch party.
Why The Best Stop and Ragin’ Cajuns Football Belong Together
The Best Stop’s roots are in Scott, just minutes from Lafayette.
Robert Cormier and Lawrence Menard opened The Best Stop Supermarket in 1986, building the business around boudin, cracklins, sausage, specialty meats, Cajun seasonings, faith, family, and community.
That connection to Acadiana makes becoming the Official Boudin of the Ragin’ Cajuns a natural fit.
Louisiana football Saturdays are built around many of the same things The Best Stop has always valued: family, community, tradition, and good food shared together.
👉 Learn More About The Best Stop
Plan Ahead for Home Games
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With six home games on the 2026 schedule, there are plenty of chances to plan a full Cajun tailgate.The home slate includes:
- Lamar
- UAB
- Arkansas State
- Troy
- South Alabama
- Coastal Carolina
Stocking up before game day means one less thing to think about Saturday morning.
If you’re heading into Lafayette, stop by a Best Stop location before the tailgate. If you’re hosting from farther away, order ahead online.
TL;DR — 2026 Ragin’ Cajuns Football Schedule
- Louisiana opens the 2026 football season at home against Lamar on September 5.
- The schedule includes six home games in Lafayette.
- Home opponents include Lamar, UAB, Arkansas State, Troy, South Alabama, and Coastal Carolina.
- Homecoming is scheduled for October 3 against Arkansas State.
- Family Weekend is October 17 against Troy.
- Senior Day is November 21 against Coastal Carolina.
- Louisiana has an open date on October 31.
- The Best Stop is the Official Boudin of the Ragin’ Cajuns.
- Boudin, cracklins, smoked sausage, tailgate trays, and Boudin Queso are easy options for a Louisiana game-day spread.
- Game dates and kickoff times may change, so check official athletics sources before game day.
FAQs: 2026 Ragin’ Cajuns Football Schedule
When does the 2026 Ragin’ Cajuns football season start?
Based on the schedule provided for this article, Louisiana opens the 2026 season at home against Lamar on September 5 at 7 p.m. CST.
How many home games do the Ragin’ Cajuns have in 2026?
The supplied 2026 schedule includes six home games.
When is Louisiana’s Homecoming game?
Homecoming is listed for October 3 against Arkansas State.
When is Family Weekend?
Family Weekend is scheduled for October 17 against Troy.
When is Senior Day?
Senior Day is listed for November 21 against Coastal Carolina.
Where should I check for schedule changes?
For the most current information, check Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics before attending or planning around a game.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Ragin’ Cajuns football schedule gives Louisiana fans six home games, several major game-day weekends, and plenty of opportunities to gather with friends and family throughout the fall.
Whether you’re tailgating in Lafayette, hosting a road-game watch party, or following the Cajuns from across the country, football season is better with a spread full of Louisiana favorites.
Stock up on boudin, grab a Tailgate Tray, make a batch of Boudin Queso, and get ready to cheer all season long.
Geaux Cajuns!
