NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt and Delaware will meet on the football field in 2026, with the two schools announcing a contract to play Thursday.
The Blue Hens are scheduled to visit FirstBank Stadium on Sept. 12, 2026, for the first meeting between the teams.
Delaware begins its transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2024, playing in the Coastal Athletic Association while ineligible for the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. In 2025, the Blue Hens play an FBS schedule and join Conference USA, but will be ineligible for postseason play. The 2026 campaign will see the program eligible for the Conference USA championship game and bowl games for the first time.
Vanderbilt is 22-4 all-time against the current makeup of Conference USA, with the vast majority of those games coming against Middle Tennessee.
In 2025, the Commodores will face Charleston Southern, Colorado State and Georgia State at FirstBank Stadium, while traveling to Virginia Tech. The SEC slate will see opponents flipped from the 2024 schedule, meaning Vandy hosts Auburn, Kentucky, LSU and Missouri while traveling to Alabama, South Carolina, Texas and Tennessee.
For 2026, Delaware will be joined on the nonconference schedule by Austin Peay and NC State, with the Governors and Wolfpack both set to travel to Nashville.
Vanderbilt opens the 2024 season on Aug. 31 when Virginia Tech travels to FirstBank Stadium. Season tickets remain available but in limited quantities. Mini-plans and group sales are also available. More information is available here.
With premium seating for the 2024 season sold out, deposits are being accepted for new south end zone premium options in 2025. Click here for more information.
