Miami's 2026 schedule picture is starting to come into focus, and it looks like the Hurricanes' early-season plans just picked up a weeknight twist.
Florida A&M released its 2026 football schedule Monday and revealed its trip to Miami for Thursday, Sept. 10.
It effectively locks in one of the Hurricanes' three known non-conference opponents for a specific date, and it hints at how the front end of the season could be shaped for TV windows and short weeks. Since it's on a Thursday, and lines up during Week 2, Miami won't be drawing national attention in the opening week this upcoming season.
Florida A&M just announced that its game at Hard Rock Stadium against UM has been moved up two days to Thursday, Sept. 10. So forget Labor Day night for UM... Canes are scheduled to host Central Michigan Sept. 26 and visit Notre Dame on Nov. 7.... UM's 9 ACC dates to be…
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) January 26, 2026
The FAMU listing is also notable because the Rattlers are already scheduled to play in Miami the week prior, on Sept. 5 in the Orange Blossom Classic. Now they'll be back in South Florida five days later for the Hurricanes. Miami will have to make sure not to look past them, and they will need to come ready to play on a potentially short week. Of course, they could have a bye either before or after.
Miami's other two non-conference opponents for 2026 have been known, too. In October, Miami announced it had canceled its home-and-home series with South Carolina and noted its 2026 non-conference slate would be Florida A&M (home), Central Michigan (home) and Notre Dame (away).
Central Michigan's 2026 schedule reveals the Chippewas will play at Miami on Sept. 26 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. And Miami is visiting South Bend on Nov. 7 to play Notre Dame.
The ACC is set to unveil the full 2026 conference schedule during a two-hour football schedule release special on ACC Network beginning at 6 p.m. ET, with the first hour simulcast on ESPN2.
Starting in 2026, the ACC is moving into a transitional model as it shifts toward a nine-game conference schedule. The league announced in December that 12 teams will play nine ACC games (with at least one Power Four non-conference opponent), while five teams will play eight ACC games (with at least two Power Four non-conference opponents) due to the conference's existing contracts and the fact that they have 17 teams. Miami is among the teams slated for a nine-game ACC schedule.
The opponents are already set. Miami's ACC home games in 2026 are Boston College, Duke, Florida State, Pitt and Virginia Tech, and the Hurricanes' ACC road trips are Clemson, North Carolina, Stanford and Wake Forest.