Orange Welcome New Hampshire Saturday
8/31/2026 2:14:00 PM | Football
The Orange are set to begin their 2026 campaign on Saturday, when Syracuse hosts New Hampshire at the JMA Wireless Dome. Kickoff is set for noon and will air on ACC Network.
The Orange are rolling out a new game day experience this season, featuring a large-format videoboard, live music, expanded fan amenities, the Toyota Fun Zone and a new team-arrival tradition on the Quad before game days. The 2026 enhancements mark the start of a broader effort by Syracuse Athletics to continually evaluate and elevate the fan experience across its events. Tickets for Saturday's game are available at Cuse.com/FootballTickets.
Head coach Fran Brown is looking forward to being back at the JMA Wireless Dome with all of 'Cuse Nation on Saturday, and he wants his team to set the tone with its effort.
"My expectation is for our football team to go out and play as hard as we possibly can," Brown said. "Everybody is ready to go out and compete so our fans can come out and have a lot of fun. I think it's our job to help fans enjoy the atmosphere and have a lot of fun. So, we have to go out and compete and play as hard as we possibly can. I think that the fans will follow that."
Syracuse opens its season against New Hampshire for the first time in program history. Asked what he wants to see from his team Saturday, Brown pointed to the standard the program has built.
"Just for us to play to our standard, for us to play Syracuse Football," Brown said. "Play together, care about each other and just make sure throughout the entire game, win, lose or draw, that we have an intern mindset."
Saturday kicks off an exciting home slate for the Orange, with all five FBS opponents coming to The Loud House following New Hampshire either ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 or receiving votes. Following New Hampshire's visit to the Dome, California, No. 24 Louisville, No. 19 SMU, Clemson and No. 4 Notre Dame all await. Now in his third season at the helm, Brown said he's grateful for the opportunity in front of him and his program.
"Just very thankful for the start of our season," Brown said. "Really excited for our players, and I'm happy that I get the opportunity to be the head football coach of this team, to be able to lead a tremendous staff and a great group of young men. We're really grateful for this opportunity that we have, to come out and represent Syracuse Football and Syracuse Athletics."
The Orange have won 10 of their last 12 season openers, and 10 of their last 12 home openers as well. Brown and Syracuse will look to make it 11 of the last 13 this weekend against New Hampshire at the JMA Wireless Dome.
Click below to watch Fran Brown's full press conference previewing the Orange's matchup with New Hampshire.
