West Virginia has laid out its 2026 football home-game promotional slate, and the fall calendar at Milan Puskar Stadium is built around a mix of tradition, theme games and special recognition days.
The centerpiece comes early. On Saturday, Sept. 5 against Coastal Carolina, the Mountaineers will officially retire Pat White’s No. 5, with the honor presented by WVU Medicine.
White’s place in program history is already secure, and WVU said the exact timing of the recognition will be announced later. Fans who buy traditional season tickets by Aug. 1 will receive an exclusive commemorative ticket marking the day, though 304 and 681 mobile pass season tickets are excluded.
That same game will also bring back a familiar look. WVU is asking fans to wear white for “All White for 5,” a nod to White and a throwback to his final home game on Dec.
6, 2008. The Mountaineer Ticket Sales and Service team is also offering group packages for the Coastal Carolina game tied to Youth Sports Day, Youth Spirit Day, WVU Parents Club and 4-H.
The promotional schedule continues the following week on Sept. 12 against UT Martin, when Coca-Cola Family Day will offer four tickets and a $25 concession voucher for as low as $150. That game, presented by Grant County Mulch, is set for 1 p.m. ET and will also include group ticket options for Scout Day, Band Day and Youth Football campers.
Big 12 play at home begins Sept. 26 against Oklahoma State, and that one comes with Gold Rush. WVU said the annual game will serve as the 2026 Big 12 Conference home opener and is presented by Diversifed Energy.
Fans are encouraged to wear gold. Group ticket packages are available for Energy / Natural Gas / Union Day and Educators.
On Oct. 10, the Wildcats of Arizona visit for Coal Rush, one of the fan favorites on the schedule. WVU said the game will pay homage to the Coal Minining industry and heritage of the Mountain State, with fans encouraged to wear black.
The same weekend, the Big 12 Conference’s Fall Tour will stop in Morgantown on Oct. 9 and 10, bringing product sampling, interactive games and exclusive merchandise giveaways. The tour will wrap up Saturday with a free concert before the game, with the location and details to be announced later.
Arizona weekend will also include Hall of Fame Weekend. WVU Athletics will enshrine the newest members of the WVU Sports Hall of Fame in a ceremony before the game inside the Caperton Indoor Practice Facility, and the group will be recognized again inside the stadium during the game. Group ticket packages are available for Educators, FCA and Scouts.
Homecoming arrives Oct. 17 against Cincinnati, and WVU is turning that matchup into Stripe the Stadium, presented by Go Mart. Fans in even-numbered sections, the Diversifed Energy Terrace and all WVU students are asked to wear gold, while fans in odd-numbered sections are encouraged to wear blue. WVU also noted group ticket packages for WVU Alumni.
The Nov. 14 game against Kansas will be Heroes Day, honoring former and active duty military members and organizations throughout the day. The Jayhawks game will also close out Mountaineer Week celebrations on campus.
Fans can support the West Virginia Heroes program, presented by the West Virginia Lottery, by donating $20 to help provide local Veterans, Active Duty Military, First Responders and their families an opportunity to attend a Mountaineer home game. The West Virginia Lottery will match the first 500 donations.
Veterans can also access potential tickets through Vet Tix. Group packages for that game are available for Faith and Family Day and Military.
The regular-season home slate ends Nov. 21 against Houston, which will be Senior Day and is presented by the West Virginia Lottery. WVU will also use that game for Gold and Blue Gratitude, thanking fans for their support and aiming to impact more than 1,000 ticket holders through fan experiences and giveaways.
Season tickets, along with 304 and 681 Mobile Pass season tickets, are on sale now at WVUGAME.com. Mini-packages and single-game tickets will go on sale in the coming weeks through the Mountaineer Ticket Office. Group ticket information is available by calling 304-293-8635.
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The encouraging part for WVU is that the pieces are young enough to keep improving, and the schedule offers some room to breathe while that happens. There is still a sense that the roster is not finished, though, and the most obvious pressure point may be a spot that could force the staff back into the portal before the season is over. Rodriguez has a chance to make 2026 a clear step forward, but the real question is how much of the future he can set up now without waiting too long for the breakthrough. [Read more 🡒]