Charleston Southern University has released its football schedule for the 2026 season. The team will play 12 games, including six at home and seven within their conference, as they continue in their fourth year with the Ohio Valley / Big South Football Association under Head Coach Gabe Giardina.
The Buccaneers will start their season on Thursday, August 27, with a conference game at Lindenwood. This marks the first time the team opens both its season and conference play on the same day. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. EST.
After Lindenwood, Charleston Southern remains on the road for two more games: against Georgia Southern on September 5 and crosstown rival The Citadel on September 12. The matchup with The Citadel will be only the second official meeting of what is known as the Lowcountry Boil Bowl. It is also notable that this is the first time since 2011 that Charleston Southern’s first three games are away from home.
The team’s home opener will take place against Point University on September 19 at 6 p.m., followed by a bye week. Afterward, Charleston Southern plays eight consecutive weekends until the end of the regular season.
A pair of home games follow: Gardner-Webb visits on October 3 for what will be just the third North/South BBQ Bowl between these teams, and South Carolina State comes to town on October 10 for Homecoming.
Charleston Southern then travels to Clemson for its final nonconference game on October 17 before heading to Nashville to face Tennessee State on October 24, which begins a run of five straight conference matchups to close out the season.
For only the second time this year, Charleston Southern will host three consecutive home games—against Western Illinois (October 31), UT Martin (November 7), and Southeast Missouri State (November 14)—all scheduled for a 2 p.m. kickoff. The regular season concludes November 21 with an away game at Eastern Illinois.
Details about ticket sales will be announced later in the year through csusports.com.
“Gabe Giardina, Head Coach at Charleston Southern Buccaneers Football, said: ‘Information on season tickets as well as single game ticket packages will be released later in the year. Continue to check csusports.com for the latest information on Charleston Southern athletics.'”
