SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 7, 2026) – The Western New England men's basketball team has released its 2026-27 schedule, one month out from beginning the regular season, set to start on the road on Saturday, November 7.

The Golden Bears will open the regular season with a pair of road games, beginning at Brandeis University for a 5:00 PM tip. WNE came out on top over Brandeis last season on home court, 64-57. The Golden Bears will then make a short trip to Springfield College on Wednesday, November 11, for a 7:00 PM game. The 2026-27 season will mark the first season in which WNE and Springfield College don't meet in the opening game of the year since 2015. The Golden Bears have ripped off five wins in a row over the Pride, including last year's 75-55 victory. The home opener will be next up for the Blue and Gold, welcoming Keene State College on Saturday, November 14, for a 1:00 PM tip. Western New England defeated the Owls on the road last season, its first win over KSC since 2011. The Golden Bears then head out on the road for a battle with the University of Saint Joseph on Wednesday, November 18, at 6:00 PM, the first meeting between the two teams all-time. 

Western New England hosts the 6^th Annual Hampton Inn Holiday Classic on Saturday, November 21, and Sunday, November 22. WNE plays Plattsburgh State on day one of the event at 4:00 PM, while Christopher Newport University and Bates College will play at 6:00 PM. The two losers from day one of the tournament will meet on day two at 12:00 PM, while the two winners will compete in the tournament championship game at 2:00 PM. Following the tournament, WNE heads to Worcester State University on Tuesday, November 24 for a 7:00 PM tip before the Thanksgiving break. The Golden Bears open Conference of New England (CNE) play when they return, taking on Gordon College on the road on Tuesday, December 1. The first home CNE game of the season sees Suffolk University visit Springfield in a rematch of the 2026 CNE Semifinals, where WNE came out with a 77-58 victory. The Golden Bears close out the 2026 portion of their schedule against the Cardinals of Wesleyan University on Saturday, December 12. Wesleyan advanced to the Sweet 16 of last season's NCAA Division III Tournament and defeated WNE, 75-65, during the regular season. Saturday, December 12, will mark the first time the Cardinals visit Springfield since 2004. 

The month of January has Western New England playing nine contests, including eight in CNE play. WNE opens the new year with three straight home games. Curry College visits the Anthony S. Caprio Alumni Healthful Living Center on Saturday, January 2, for a 3:00 PM tipoff, while Nichols College (January 5, 7:30 PM) and the University of New England (January 9, 3:00 PM) will also be in town during WNE's winter break. The Golden Bears will go back on the road for a pair of conference contests, traveling to the University of Hartford on Wednesday, January 13, and to Nichols College on Saturday, January 16. The final non-conference game of the season sees the Golden Bears take on the Bantams of Trinity College, who made the Final Four of the NCAA DIII Tournament. The game will be played on home court on Wednesday, January 20, at 7:00 PM. 

CNE play rounds out the remainder of the schedule for the Golden Bears, including the final three games of the month of January. Western New England hosts the University of Hartford on Saturday, January 23, at 3:00 PM before heading to Johnson & Wales University on Wednesday, January 27, and the University of New England on Saturday, January 30. Six games remain on the regular season schedule for the Golden Bears, three at home and three on the road. February opens with a pair of home contests, as Western New England hosts Wentworth Institute of Technology on Tuesday, February 2, at 7:30 PM before welcoming Endicott College on Saturday, February 6, at 3:00 PM. Western New England will then make stops at Curry College on Wednesday, February 10, and Suffolk University on Saturday, February 13, before the final week of the regular season. The final home game of the regular season sees Western New England take on the Hawks of Roger Williams University on Tuesday, February 16, at 7:30 PM. The last game of the regular season has the Golden Bears travel to Endicott College on Saturday, February 20, at 3:00 PM. 

The Conference of New England Championships will follow with first-round games on Tuesday, February 23, semifinals on Thursday, February 25, and the finals on Saturday, February 27. To view Western New England men's basketball's full schedule, click here.