The UNC field hockey program has released its schedule for the 2026 regular season. It will be the program’s fourth year under the leadership of head coach Erin Matson.
UNC begins with a pair of preseason scrimmages, the first at Duke on Aug. 21 and the second against Wake Forest in Chapel Hill on Aug. 23.
The regular season begins with the Tar Heels facing Michigan and Iowa in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge in Winston-Salem. Carolina faces the Wolverines in the regular season opener Aug. 23 at 3:30 p.m., then takes on the Hawkeyes Aug. 30 at 11 a.m. Carolina returns to Karen Shelton Stadium for its home opener against Penn Sep. 4 at 6 p.m.
UNC’s first ACC contest comes Sep. 20 as the Tar Heels host Virginia. After that, Carolina will play its next five games away from home, starting with a trip to California to face both Stanford and Cal. UNC also visits Louisville, Saint Joseph’s and Liberty as part of the road trip.
A three-game, all-ACC homestand follows, with the Tar Heels hosting Boston College (Oct. 16 at 6 p.m.), Syracuse (Oct. 18 at 2 p.m.) and Wake Forest (Oct. 23 at 6 p.m.). Carolina closes out the season with two road games, first at Appalachian State in Boone and then at Duke in Durham the evening of Oct. 30.
Fans will have the chance to see the Tar Heels at Karen Shelton Stadium again, however, as the venue will host this year’s ACC Tournament the week of Nov. 3-6. UNC has won nine consecutive ACC Tournament titles. Should UNC earn a national seed in the NCAA Tournament, the Tar Heels would also host games in Chapel Hill. Carolina is seeking its 12th national title after falling in the Final Four in each of the last two seasons.
Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications
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