The Central Arkansas women’s soccer team announced its 2026 season schedule on May 22. Head coach Derek Nichols said the Bears will play a total of 19 games, including several regional non-conference matchups and their first year competing in the United Athletic Conference.
The new schedule is important as it marks Central Arkansas’s entry into a new conference, which brings changes to both competition and travel for the team. The move is expected to provide fresh challenges and opportunities for the program.
The Bears’ season begins with a home opener against Oral Roberts on August 12 at Bill Stephens Track and Soccer Complex. This game is one of nine non-conference matches, with other home contests against Alabama State (August 27), UT Martin (September 6), and Nevada (September 10). On the road, Central Arkansas will continue its series with teams such as Arkansas State, Missouri State, Oklahoma State, and Southeast Missouri State.
Conference play starts September 24 when Central Arkansas faces Tarleton State at home in its first United Athletic Conference match. As part of joining this new conference—alongside most other varsity sports at Central Arkansas—the Bears will also compete against Little Rock Trojans and Abilene Christian Wildcats. They will still play familiar opponents from the ASUN who are also moving to the UAC: Eastern Kentucky, West Georgia, Austin Peay, and North Alabama.
To close out their home schedule late in conference play, Central Arkansas hosts three consecutive UAC games: Austin Peay on October 15, North Alabama on October 18, and Abilene Christian on October 25. The full schedule can be found by visiting the team’s official schedule page.
Looking ahead to their inaugural UAC campaign, fans can expect an eventful fall as the Bears adapt to new rivals while maintaining traditional matchups.
