New Mexico State's 2026 football schedule has been finalized by Conference USA, featuring key updates due to Louisiana Tech's conference change. This marks coach Tony Sanchez's third season with a complete 12-game slate.
Key points
New Mexico State's 2026 football schedule is finalized.
Conference USA released the updated schedule on April 29.
The schedule includes 12 games for coach Tony Sanchez.
Revisions were made due to Louisiana Tech joining the Sun Belt Conference.
New Mexico State AggiesConference USA2026 football seasonLouisiana Tech
New Mexico State has its full football schedule for the 2026 season (again).
Conference USA released a revised 2026 schedule on Wednesday, April 29, completing the Aggies' 12-game slate for coach Tony Sanchez's third season in charge. CUSA released its original schedule on March 12 but had to update it after Louisiana Tech's confirmation of its entry into the Sun Belt Conference this year.
Take a look at why an update was needed, and what the key changes are for NM State's new schedule.
Why did Conference USA have to change its schedule?
CUSA and LA Tech had been locked in a court battle for months over when the Bulldogs would leave for the Sun Belt. LA Tech claimed it would join in 2026, while CUSA claimed the university didn't give it the 14-month notice required by conference bylaws and thus couldn't leave until 2027.
New Mexico State wide receiver TJ Pride catches a 53-yard touchdown pass in the first half of the game against Louisiana Tech on Oct. 15, 2024, at Aggie Memorial Stadium in Las Cruces.
New Mexico State wide receiver TJ Pride catches a 53-yard touchdown pass in the first half of the game against Louisiana Tech on Oct. 15, 2024, at Aggie Memorial Stadium in Las Cruces.
The two sides announced a settlement agreement on Monday, April 27, which cleared the way for LA Tech to join the Sun Belt in July. While their joint statement didn't specify how much LA Tech would pay CUSA to leave, Front Office Sports reported the figure was $8 million, which would be the highest exit fee a university has paid to leave the conference.
Q&A
What are the key changes in New Mexico State's 2026 football schedule?
The key changes in the 2026 schedule include adjustments made after Louisiana Tech's move to the Sun Belt Conference.
Why was the 2026 football schedule for New Mexico State revised?
The schedule was revised due to Louisiana Tech's confirmation of its entry into the Sun Belt Conference, necessitating updates to the original schedule.
Who is the head coach of New Mexico State's football team in 2026?
Tony Sanchez is the head coach of New Mexico State's football team for the 2026 season.
When was the revised 2026 football schedule for New Mexico State released?
The revised 2026 football schedule for New Mexico State was released on April 29.
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"Conference USA is pleased to have reached a positive resolution with Louisiana Tech that fully acknowledges our governing documents," CUSA and LA Tech's joint statement said. "We look forward to continued success and impact in the national landscape, driven by the collective strength and shared vision of our 10 member institutions."
LA Tech was included on football schedules for both CUSA and the Sun Belt. But with LA Tech's date of entry into the Sun Belt now official, CUSA was forced to change and announced its revised schedule on Wednesday. NMSU wasn't scheduled to play LA Tech, but schedule shifts for other CUSA teams created a ripple effect.
What's different about NM State's updated schedule?
The Aggies might consider their updated slate a relief. They were originally scheduled for five weekday games and had four short weeks, but will now play only four weekday games and have two short weeks.
NM State still opens CUSA play on Oct. 1, but against Western Kentucky at home instead of Sam Houston on the road. It's still a short-week game after its Sept. 26 contest against New Mexico, but the Aggies won't have any travel to deal with this time. The only short-week game NM State will travel for is its Oct. 7 game against Florida International, which it was originally scheduled to end the season against at home on Nov. 21.
New Mexico State defensive back Naeten Mitchell (4) brings down Sam Houston wide receiver Qua'Vez Humphreys (7), preventing a large gain as the Aggies took on the Bearkats on Oct. 2, 2025, in Las Cruces.
New Mexico State defensive back Naeten Mitchell (4) brings down Sam Houston wide receiver Qua'Vez Humphreys (7), preventing a large gain as the Aggies took on the Bearkats on Oct. 2, 2025, in Las Cruces.
The Aggies have to deal with two straight short weeks with their WKU and FIU matchups. But after that, NM State will have at least 1 week to prepare for the rest of its games.
The Aggies' second idle week is now after their game against FIU, rather than the last week of the regular season. That gives NM State two weeks to prepare for its third midweek tilt on Oct. 21 against Sam Houston on the road.
The Aggies' season will now conclude on Nov. 28 against Middle Tennessee on the road. Their final home game is still on Nov. 21, but against Delaware, whom they were originally supposed to play on the road on Oct. 13.
What's the same?
NM State will still play Liberty at home on Nov. 7 and Missouri State on the road on Nov. 14. Additionally, its non-conference schedule remains intact, including its first idle week coming after its Sept. 12 game against Hawaii on the road.
2026 New Mexico State football schedule (times are TBD)
*denotes conference game
Aug. 29 â at Florida State
Sept. 5 â vs. Mercyhurst
Sept. 12 â at Hawaii
Sept. 26 â vs. New Mexico
Oct. 1 (Thursday) â vs. Western Kentucky*
Oct. 7 (Wednesday) â at FIU*
Oct. 21 (Wednesday) â at Sam Houston*
Oct. 28 (Wednesday) â vs. Jacksonville State*
Nov. 7 â vs. Liberty*
Nov. 14 â at Missouri State*
Nov. 21 â vs. Delaware*
Nov. 28 â at Middle Tennessee*
Previous 2026 New Mexico State football schedule (no longer valid)
