Wildcats Set for Challenging and Exciting 2026 Men's Soccer Campaign
MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The Bethel University men's soccer program has announced its 2026 schedule, featuring a challenging mix of regional rivals, national-caliber opponents, and a demanding Mid-South Conference slate as the Wildcats prepare for another exciting season on the pitch.
The 2026 campaign opens on the road August 16 when Bethel travels to Memphis for an exhibition match facing Rhodes College before continuing the opening stretch with a trip to Illinois to take on Olivet Nazarene University on August 20.
The Wildcats will make their home debut on August 24 when they welcome Spartanburg Methodist College to McKenzie for a 7 p.m. kickoff. Bethel then travels to the LSUA Invitational in Alexandria, Louisiana, where the Wildcats will face perennial NAIA competition in Texas Wesleyan University and host school Louisiana State University at Alexandria.
The home schedule features several marquee matchups, beginning with a regional battle against University of Tennessee Southern on September 5. Conference action begins on September 12 with a road trip to Cumberland University.
One of the highlights of the home schedule comes on September 16 when the Wildcats host Mid-South Conference rival Lindsey Wilson College in a key early conference matchup. Bethel will also host league contests against Freed-Hardeman University on October 3 and Georgetown College on October 23.
Additional non-conference home dates include contests against Williams Baptist University on September 19, Champion Christian College on October 8, and a late-season showdown with nationally recognized Georgia Gwinnett College on October 29.
The Wildcats will also face challenging road tests throughout the season, including trips to Campbellsville University, Texas A&M University-Texarkana, and University of the Cumberlands.
The 2026 schedule provides the Wildcats with opportunities to test themselves against strong competition while positioning themselves for a successful run through Mid-South Conference play and into postseason competition.
Key Storylines for 2026
- A Challenging Non-Conference Slate: Bethel will face opponents from multiple conferences and regions, providing early-season tests that should prepare the Wildcats for conference play.
- Strong Home Schedule: The Wildcats will host eight matches in McKenzie, including several key Mid-South Conference contests.
- Road Warrior Stretch: Bethel will travel to Illinois, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Texas during the 2026 campaign.
- Conference Championship Pursuit: The Mid-South Conference schedule once again features some of the NAIA's top programs, creating a challenging path toward postseason play.
- Late-Season Showcase: The regular season concludes with a marquee home matchup against Georgia Gwinnett on October 29.
2026 Bethel University Men's Soccer Schedule
|
Date |
Opponent |
Location |
Time (CT) |
|
Aug. 16 |
Rhodes College |
Memphis, Tenn. |
11:00 a.m. |
|
Aug. 20 |
Olivet Nazarene |
Bourbonnais, Ill. |
6:00 p.m. |
|
Aug. 24 |
Spartanburg Methodist |
McKenzie, Tenn. |
7:00 p.m. |
|
Aug. 28 |
Texas Wesleyan |
Alexandria, La. |
2:00 p.m. |
|
Aug. 30 |
LSU-Alexandria |
Alexandria, La. |
1:00 p.m. |
|
Sept. 5 |
UT Southern |
McKenzie, Tenn. |
6:30 p.m. |
|
Sept. 12 |
Cumberland University* |
Lebanon, Tenn. |
2:30 p.m. |
|
Sept. 16 |
Lindsey Wilson* |
McKenzie, Tenn. |
7:30 p.m. |
|
Sept. 19 |
Williams Baptist |
McKenzie, Tenn. |
6:00 p.m. |
|
Sept. 24 |
Campbellsville* |
Campbellsville, Ky. |
8:00 p.m. |
|
Sept. 29 |
Texas A&M-Texarkana |
Texarkana, Texas |
3:00 p.m. |
|
Oct. 3 |
Freed-Hardeman* |
McKenzie, Tenn. |
7:30 p.m. |
|
Oct. 8 |
Champion Christian |
McKenzie, Tenn. |
3:00 p.m. |
|
Oct. 15 |
University of the Cumberlands* |
Williamsburg, Ky. |
7:00 p.m. |
|
Oct. 23 |
Georgetown College* |
McKenzie, Tenn. |
7:30 p.m. |
|
Oct. 29 |
Georgia Gwinnett |
McKenzie, Tenn. |
1:00 p.m. |
Mid-South Conference game *
Dates and times are subject to change. Fans are encouraged to visit BethelAthletics.com throughout the season for schedule updates, match coverage, and complete information on Bethel University men's soccer.