FLORENCE, Ala. (April 2, 2026) – On Thursday, the United Athletic Conference announced the addition of the University of West Florida as a football-member beginning in 2026. With this announcement, the University of North Alabama announced an updated 2026 football schedule.
The Lions will host West Florida on Nov. 7, 2026 at their new on-campus home — Bobby Wallace Field at Bank Independent Stadium. This will replace UNA's original bye week with a seventh conference game.
UNA's new bye week will be Oct. 10.
The Lions will host six games at Bank Independent Stadium this season and seven in the North Alabama region. The season begins with the Story Financial Partners Bowl on Aug. 29 against Samford at Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville, Ala.
After two road games at Arkansas and Southeastern Louisiana, UNA will host its first game at Bank Independent Stadium on Sept. 19 against Alcorn State. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) will rebrand as the UAC and together, the ASUN and UAC will form a consortium. This first-of-its-kind alliance will support collaborative scheduling, shared operational efficiencies and expanded competition opportunities. The University of West Florida will become the 17th member of the consortium.
West Florida will compete as a member of the UAC for football and in the ASUN for all other sports. UNA will be in the UAC for all sports with the exception of men's tennis and beach volleyball, which will compete in the ASUN.
Beginning July 1, the UAC will consist of nine full-time members and UWF as an affiliate member in football. UNA will be joined in the UAC by Abilene Christian, Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, Little Rock, Tarleton State, UT Arlington and West Georgia.
2026 North Alabama Football Schedule
- August 29 vs. Samford — Joe Davis Stadium (Huntsville, Ala.) — 6 p.m.
- Sept. 5 at Arkansas — Fayetteville, Ark. — Time TBA
- Sept. 12 at Southeastern Louisiana — Hammond, La. — Time TBA
- Sept. 19 vs. Alcorn State — Bank Independent Stadium — 6 p.m.
- Sept. 26 vs. Western Illinois — Bank Independent Stadium — 3 p.m. (Family Weekend)
- Oct. 3 at Eastern Kentucky — Richmond, Ky. — Time TBA
- Oct. 10 — ***** BYE WEEK *****
- Oct. 17 vs. Abilene Christian — Bank Independent Stadium — 6 p.m.
- Oct. 24 vs. Austin Peay — Bank Independent Stadium — 6 p.m. (Homecoming)
- Oct. 31 at Central Arkansas — Conway, Ark. — 4 p.m.
- Nov. 7 vs. West Florida — Bank Independent Stadium — Time TBA
- Nov. 14 at West Georgia — Carrollton, Ga. — Time TBA
- Nov. 21 vs. Tarleton State — Bank Independent Stadium — 3 p.m. (Senior Day)
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
