Merrimack football will travel to Wake Forest next season

It will mark the first Power 4 opponent in the program's history

Merrimack football will take a historic step next season, lining up against its first Power 4 opponent when the Warriors travel to Wake Forest of the ACC on Nov. 7.

The Demon Deacons finished 8–4 this past season and are headed to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Jan. 2, where they’ll face Mississippi State. Wake Forest also crossed paths with a familiar foe for Merrimack earlier in the year, edging Kennesaw State 10–9 on Aug. 29. The Warriors faced Kennesaw State two weeks later, dropping a 27–13 decision on Sept. 13.

Here’s how Merrimack’s 2026 schedule looks so far (based on other announcements):

• Aug. 28 vs. Rhode Island

• Sept. 12 at Maine

• Oct. 24 vs. New Hampshire

• Nov. 7 at Wake Forest

• Nov. 14 at Monmouth

• Nov. 21 vs. Sacred Heart

• TBA vs. New Haven

• TBA at Delaware

More pieces could still fall into place, but the trip to Winston-Salem already stands out as a milestone moment for the program.