SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (July 6, 2026) – The Western New England football team has announced its 2026 season schedule, featuring five home games at Golden Bear Stadium and five road games, including seven games coming in Conference of New England (CNE) play. 

The 2026 season contains the same ten opponents as the 2025 campaign. Western New England football finished 6-4, picking up a 4-3 record in CNE play. The 13^th Annual Pynchon SAW Game will open the season for the Blue and Gold, as the Golden Bears travel to Springfield College on Friday, September 4, at 7:00 PM. Western New England snagged a dramatic 23-22 victory over the 13^th-ranked Pride last year on home field to claim the program's first victory over a ranked opponent and reclaim the Pynchon SAW Trophy. Western New England then opens its home schedule by hosting Salve Regina University on Saturday, September 12, at 1:00 PM. WNE will look to bounce back from last season's road defeat to the Seahawks. The Golden Bears are 14-6 all-time against Salve. WNE hits the road for its final non-conference game of the season on Saturday, September 19, at 12:00 PM, heading to Worcester State University for a matchup with the Lancers. The Golden Bears knocked down Worcester State on home field last season, picking up a 48-13 victory, outscoring WSU 28-6 in the second half. 

Conference of New England play then begins with a home game against the University of New England. WNE is also looking to bounce back and avenge last season's defeat at UNE, having won six of the seven matchups all-time over the Nor'easters. The Golden Bears open the month of October with a road trip to Husson
University on Saturday, October 3, at 1:00 PM. WNE defeated Husson last season on home field with a 35-10 victory. The two teams have split the last four matchups, with the home teams coming away with victories. WNE had won five straight over the Eagles prior. 

After a BYE week, the Golden Bears return home for a pair of important conference games in back-to-back weeks. The Gulls from Endicott College make their way to Springfield on Saturday, October 17, at 1:00 PM. Endicott has stolen the last five from the Golden Bears, outscoring WNE 181-94 over the span. WNE's last win over the Gulls came in 2019 at Golden Bear Stadium. Curry College will be next up for the Blue and Gold, hosting the Colonels on Saturday, October 24, at 12:00 PM. Curry picked up its first victory over the Golden Bears in ten years last time out, defeating WNE 52-31 behind a second half that saw the Blue and Gold be outscored 21-7 in the final quarter to seal the win for the Colonels. Despite last season's loss, Western New England has the upper hand all-time, 12-9. WNE closes out the month of October with a trek to New England College on Saturday, October 31, for a 12:00 PM kickoff. WNE dominated NEC last season on home turf, picking up a shutout victory, 55-0, in the first-ever matchup between the teams. 

Western New England then sees Maine Maritime Academy visit Springfield for the final home game of the regular season on Saturday, November 7, at 12:00 PM. In the first meeting between the two teams in nine years last season, WNE recorded 21 first-quarter points and led 45-7 at the half and never looked back, and cruised to a 70-7 victory over MMA. The Golden Bears head into the final regular-season home game with an 8-2 overall record against the Mariners all-time. The last scheduled regular season contest of the year comes on the road for the Blue and Gold, heading to Nichols College on Saturday, November 14, at 12:00 PM. After a dominant 63-20 victory to close out the season last season, Western New England improved to 20-1 all-time over Nichols and has ripped off 18 in a row. WNE had dumped 284 points on Nichols over the last five games. 

To view the full schedule, click here.