HANOVER, Ind. – The Hanover Panther football team has announced its 2026 schedule, with the season opener under head coach Matt Theobald slated for Saturday, Sept. 5, at home against Centre.
 
The Panthers kick off the 2026 campaign at Alumni Stadium against a familiar rival. Hanover and Centre have a storied history, having opened the season against one another multiple times in recent years, including the 2025 opener. Following the home opener, the Blue and Red will head to Maryville on Saturday, Sept. 12, for their first road test of the season.
 
Hanover returns home on Saturday, Sept. 19, for a MIAA Crossover matchup against Hope College. The team will then have an early-season bye week on Sept. 26 to prepare for the start of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) slate.
 
The conference schedule begins with a high-stakes home game against Mount St. Joseph on Saturday, Oct. 3. The Panthers will look to build on their dominant 45-21 performance against the Lions from the 2025 season. This is followed by two consecutive road games against Wilmington on Oct. 10 and Anderson on Oct. 17.
 
Hanover returns to the friendly confines of Alumni Stadium for a two-game home stand to close out October. They will host Rose-Hulman on Saturday, Oct. 24, followed by Bluffton on Saturday, Oct. 31. The Panthers historically performed well against these opponents in 2025, securing a 44-10 victory over the Fightin' Engineers and a 48-0 shutout against the Beavers.
 
The 2026 regular season will conclude with two road games in November. The Panthers travel to Manchester on Nov. 7 before heading to Franklin for the playing of the annual Victory Bell Game on Saturday, Nov. 14. Hanover enters the 2026 season holding the lead in the overall series and will look to extend their recent winning streak against the Grizzlies after a decisive 51-18 win in 2025.