Virginia Union faces Johnson C. Smith in the CIAA Football Championship on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 3 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The weekend opens Friday, November 13, with Virginia State against Fayetteville State at 6 p.m. Both games are at Durham County Memorial Stadium, 750 Stadium Drive, Durham, NC 27704.
All times below are local to Durham: Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC−5). The CIAA’s November 8 announcement confirms the matchups; the Durham Sports Commission’s event page supplies the gate, tailgate and kickoff times.
Friday, November 13: Virginia State vs. Fayetteville State
Tailgating opens at 3 p.m., stadium gates open at 5 p.m., and kickoff is at 6 p.m. Allow time to enter the stadium before the game.
Saturday, November 14: Virginia Union vs. Johnson C. Smith
Tailgating opens at 10 a.m., stadium gates open at 2 p.m., and championship kickoff is at 3 p.m. Virginia Union’s official football schedule also lists the game at 3 p.m.
Tickets and arrival
The official ticket page lists Friday general admission at $36 ($35 ticket plus a $1 platform fee) and Saturday general admission at $46 ($45 plus a $1 platform fee), as checked November 10. These are listed prices, not a completed-checkout quote; final checkout may differ and availability can change. Check official requirements for student and youth admission.
The event ticket page lists parking at $20, cashless, on both sides of the stadium. Tickets include stadium and tailgate access; a game ticket is required to enter the tailgate area. The posted policy says rain or shine, with no refunds or transfers except official cancellation. Review current terms before buying. Before traveling, revisit the official event pages for changes and arrival information.
Durham County’s general stadium policy permits clear bags up to 12 × 6 × 12 inches and small non-clear bags up to 4.5 × 6.5 inches. Medically necessary bags are subject to inspection. Event-specific restrictions can vary, so check the stadium’s Plan Your Visit page and current event instructions before leaving home.
Watching from home
Urban Edge Network lists both Friday’s Virginia State–Fayetteville State game and Saturday’s Virginia Union–Johnson C. Smith championship. Virginia Union’s official schedule also links Saturday’s game to the network. Use the direct viewing links below to check coverage and access requirements. Official kickoffs are Friday at 6 p.m. EST and Saturday at 3 p.m. EST. We have not confirmed whether viewing is free or whether an account is required for the games.
About this update
This guide expands our existing championship-rematch story, first published November 8, with practical details checked against official sources on November 10. The original HBCU Sports report remains linked as the original reporting source. Times and access arrangements can change; the official links below are the place to recheck before kickoff.
Why this matters: Fans of four CIAA programs can plan their weekend using the same verified schedule, with the championship and Friday matchup clearly distinguished.
