Reinhardt Football Looks to Defend AAC Title in the 2026 Season
Waleska, GA - Reinhardt University football enters the 2026 season intent on defending its Appalachian Athletic Conference title and building on last year's trip to the NAIA National Playoffs. The Eagles face a slate that mixes familiar league opponents with challenging nonconference tests, and the program views the year as a transition in which underclassmen will be asked to fill roles left by recent standouts. The combination of championship expectations and emerging personnel will shape Reinhardt's identity as it opens another campaign with postseason aspirations.
The season begins with an immediate measuring stick when Reinhardt travels to Lindsey Wilson on Thursday, Aug. 27, for a 6 p.m. EST kickoff. A week later, the Eagles step up a level to face NCAA Division II opponent Newberry College on Sept. 5th, a matchup that should test the roster's depth and physicality early. Those back-to-back road contests are likely to set the tone for how well Reinhardt's newer contributors adjust to expanded responsibilities while the team works to maintain the standard established by last year's conference championship group.
Reinhardt's home slate offers several key opportunities to solidify its position in the AAC race and give the younger core valuable experience in front of its own crowd. The home opener comes Sept. 12th against Southeastern University, which the Eagles faced in the NAIA Playoffs last season. This will be followed by league matchups that include Faulkner on Sept. 26 and Kentucky Christian on Oct. 10. Later in the season, the Eagles welcome Rio Grande on Oct. 31, which is the schedule date for Homecoming 2026! They close the home schedule on Nov. 7 against Point in a Senior Day contest that could carry playoff implications. How efficiently Reinhardt's performance in those home dates will be critical in backing up its preseason goals.
Road tests inside the AAC add another layer of difficulty for a roster relying on underclassmen to replace graduated playmakers. The Eagles visit Florida Memorial on Sept. 19th, travel to Union (Commonwealth) on Oct. 3rd, and face Bluefield on Oct. 17th in a stretch that will challenge consistency and focus away from home. Reinhardt also finishes the regular season on the road against conference rival UPike on Nov. 14th, a game that could factor heavily into conference standings and postseason aspirations. This has been the case the past two seasons with the two flip-flopping the AAC representation in the national playoffs.
The team will begin its spring practices on March 16th which will go through April 8th. The annual Navy-Gold Spring game is set for April 9th at 6 pm at Ken White Field. This is when the underclassmen and new transfers will be able to show what they have to the Reinhardt coaching staff and put themselves on the depth chart for the 2026 season. August 27th will be here before you know it - Go Eagles!
2026 Reinhardt Football Fall Schedule
