The University of West Florida released its inaugural Division I football schedule April 2, opening the season September 5 on the road at Central Arkansas, a program with a long FCS competitive record, and opening the first home game August 27 when Southern Illinois visits Pen Air Field at Darrell Gooden Stadium, the true Division I debut, before Austin Peay arrives September 19 for the second home game.

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The full conference slate in the United Athletic Conference puts UWF against programs with recent or active FCS playoff histories from the opening week. Road games include Central Arkansas (Sept. 5), Abilene Christian (Oct. 3), Eastern Kentucky (Oct. 17), North Alabama (Nov. 7) and West Georgia (Nov. 21). Home games include Austin Peay (Sept. 19) and Tarleton State (Nov. 14). Seven conference games in the inaugural Division I season.

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North Alabama made the same Division II to Division I transition UWF is executing now and has been a consistent FCS contender since. Eastern Kentucky and Abilene Christian both carry playoff experience. Playing that caliber of program in year one is a choice, UWF's schedule-makers could have built a softer opening slate and did not. The Argonauts will find out quickly what Division I competition requires.

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Darrell Gooden Stadium will seat roughly 7,500 when the phased expansion is complete. An 85-by-30-foot LED video board is going in the north end zone for the 2026 season, and construction continues while the team plays through the campaign. The full stadium renovation wraps in 2027.

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Season tickets and single-game tickets for the 2026 schedule are available at uwfargos.com.