The WashU Bears will begin the 2026 football season with a game in Memphis against Rhodes College. (Photo: Primo Greenway)
CLEVELAND, OH — A new era of Washington University football will begin in 2026, as the Bears will become official affiliate members of the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) beginning this season.
WashU had been an affiliate member of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) since 2018, but that league voted to phase out associate members like WashU to prioritize its full members stability and scheduling flexibility.
“We are thrilled to be joining the NCAC as an affiliate member for football starting in the 2026 season,” WashU head Coach Aaron Keen said. “Everyone associated with our football program at Washington University is excited about the future and our new conference home. We look forward to establishing new rivalries and playing in new locations. I truly appreciate the leadership at our university for their help in making this new conference home a reality.”
WashU head coach Aaron Keen will be back for his seventh season as the Bears’ head coach. (Photo: Primo Greenway)
Earlier this month, the NCAC released its official preseason football poll, and in it WashU was picked to finish fourth in its first season in the conference.
John Carroll, which went undefeated in league play to claim its first NCAC title since 2016 last year, was voted the favorite to win the league title again this year. The Blue Streaks received six of the 10 first-place votes and finished with a league high 95 points.
DePauw, which came in second last season, received the other four first-place votes and finished a close second in the preseason voting with 93 points. Wabash came in third, with 76 points, followed by WashU, which had 68 points, and Denison, which finished with 57 points to round out the top five.
Wittenberg (51), Ohio Wesleyan (38), Wooster (36), Kenyon (22), and Oberlin (14) finished off the poll in spots six through 10, respectively.
The Bears’ last conference championship came in 2016, when WashU was a member of the Southern Athletic Association. That year, the Bears went 7-1 in conference play and earned a bid into the NCAA Division III national football playoffs.
| 2026 North Coast Athletic Conference Preseason Football Coaches’ Poll | ||
| Place | Institution (1st Place Votes) | Total Points |
| 1. | John Carroll (6) | 95 |
| 2. | DePauw (4) | 93 |
| 3. | Wabash | 76 |
| 4. | WashU | 68 |
| 5. | Denison | 57 |
| 6. | Wittenberg | 51 |
| 7. | Ohio Wesleyan | 38 |
| 8. | Wooster | 36 |
| 9. | Kenyon | 22 |
| 10. | Oberlin | 14 |
The Bears will begin the new season in Memphis, with a non-conference game, on Saturday, September 5, against Rhodes College.
WashU’s first home game will come the following week, when it makes its NCAC debut, on Saturday, September 12, against DePauw. Kickoff for that contest at Francis Olympic Field is set for 1 p.m., and the game will be streamed live on the North Coast Network.
2026 WASHU BEARS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
| Date | Time | At | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 5, 2026 (Saturday) | 7 p.m. | Away | Rhodes College | Memphis, Tenn. / Crain Field |
| September 12, 2026 (Saturday) | 1 p.m. | Home | #13 DePauw University* | Francis Olympic Field |
| September 19, 2026 (Saturday) | 1 p.m. | Away | Wittenberg University* | Springfield, Ohio / Edwards-Maurer Field |
| September 26, 2026 (Saturday) | 1 p.m. | Away | Oberlin College* | Oberlin, Ohio / Dick Bailey Field |
| October 3, 2026 (Saturday) | 1 p.m. | Home | #8 John Carroll University* | Francis Olympic Field |
| October 17, 2026 (Saturday) | 1 p.m. | Away | Kenyon College* | Gambier, Ohio / McBride Field |
| October 24, 2026 (Saturday) | 1 p.m. | Away | Wabash College* | Crawfordsville, Ind. / Little Giant Stadium |
| October 31, 2026 (Saturday) | 1 p.m. | Home | Denison University* | Francis Olympic Field |
| November 7, 2026 (Saturday) | 1 p.m. | Away | Ohio Wesleyan University* | Delaware, Ohio / Selby Stadium |
| November 14, 2026 (Saturday) | 1 p.m. | Home | The College of Wooster* | Francis Olympic Field |