BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell makes its home debut on Saturday, September 5, hosting No. 24 Western Carolina at Barker-Lane Stadium.
Fans are encouraged to wear white to help "White Out" Barker-Lane Stadium. Prior to the Camels running out of the tunnel, all new Campbell students may participate in the New Student Run, traditionally the Freshmen Run, leading the Fighting Camels onto the field.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. Saturday is also Faith & Family, as well as Youth Sports Day, presented by First Citizens Bank.
TICKETS
Single game tickets are on sale for all five of the Fighting Camels' 2026 home dates, including Saturday's home opener, starting at just $10. Once again, Kids 12 & under get in free for every home game this season.
Visit GoCamels.com/Tickets for more information and to secure your seats.
Full season tickets also remain available, starting at only $60 ($12 per game) with reserved seats beginning at $80 ($16 per game), also available at GoCamels.com/Tickets. Season parking passes are also available now for $50.
A three-game mini plan is also available, featuring the home opener against WCU, plus the Homecoming matchup on October 17 against Towson, and CU's regular season finale on November 21 vs. Monmouth.
Secure your seats at Barker-Lane Stadium early and save $5 off the game day price at GoCamels.com/Tickets and by phone through the CU Athletics Ticket Office, at 1-877-GO-HUMPS. Game day pricing will be in effect on game days.
As always, all Campbell students with a valid CU ID card will receive a ticket free of charge to all home Fighting Camel home football games.
WATCH / FOLLOW
Watch the Camels take on the Catamounts on FloCollege and on the FloSports Channel on Amazon Prime, as well as in select North Carolina markets on linear television. GoCamels.com will also carry live audio coverage of the game.
As always, live stats will be available at GoCamels.com, and you can follow on Twitter and Instagram @GoCamelsFB for live updates.
WATCH ON FLOCOLLEGE
To catch every Campbell video stream, all Fighting Camel home and all away conference broadcasts will be aired live on FloCollege. Campbell fans, students, faculty and staff get a special discount, plus a new Family Sharing Plan is also being offered.
Using
this specific Campbell link, any Fighting Camels fan can sign up for a FloCollege subscription with a discounted annual rate of $9.99 a month ($119.88 for the year). Campbell faculty, staff, and students with a campbell.edu email address can use the same link for a discounted annual rate of only $7.99 a month ($95.88 a year). The discounted a-la-carte monthly subscription rate is $12.99 for those with a campbell.edu address and $29.99 per month for non-campbell.edu addresses. New for the season, a FloCollege Family Plan allows you to stream FloCollege events simultaneously from three different locations for $155.88 for the year. Also new for 2026-27, FloCollege full event replays will be free to watch to anyone 24 hours after the live event concludes.
FLOSPORTS ON AMAZON PRIME VIDEO
This season, you can watch select Campbell and CAA games via the FloSports Channel on Amazon Prime Video, a new free streaming channel showcasing more than 300 live premium events and over 1,000 hours of live programming from top partners across its entire portfolio. Throughout the year, select live CAA games, plus original programming will stream on the channel, with a reach of over 80 million US homes.
The CAA live programming schedule on the FloSports Channel will be announced two weeks in advance throughout the season.
To find the FloSports channel, head to Amazon Prime Video, click Live TV then scroll down to the FloSports Channel.
HOME GAMES TO BE BROADCAST ON LINEAR TV
For the second consecutive season, Campbell Athletics is partnering with Gray Television and WRAL to broadcast every Campbell Football home game in the Raleigh and Eastern North Carolina television markets during the 2026 season. The matchups will air on WITN 7.2 MyNetworkTV in Greenville, and WRAL 5.2 in Raleigh throughout the season, with Saturday's home opener against Western Carolina also being broadcast on WECT 6.3 Wilmington. This exciting collaboration will bring live coverage of all five home games from Barker-Lane Stadium directly to viewers across the region. The scheduled broadcasts include:
With Campbell University continuing to grow as a competitive force in the Coastal Athletic Association, these televised games provide fans an excellent opportunity to follow the Fighting Camels on their home turf.
In addition to local television, all Campbell home football games and every away CAA contest can be seen on FloCollege. Campbell fans get a special discount from FloCollege with this link.
HOW TO WATCH
Raleigh
Over-the-air: WRAL 5.2
Spectrum Cable: 1255
Greenville, N.C.
Over-the-air: WITN 7.2 MyNetworkTV
Spectrum Cable : Channel 1215
Optimum Cable: Channel 138
Mediacom: Channel 5
Wilmington
Over-the-air: WECT 6.3
Spectrum Cable: Channel 1246
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Campbell University Athletics implements a clear bag policy that regulates the size and type of bag that may be carried into Campbell Athletics facilities, including Barker-Lane Stadium. Fans are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the new policies before arriving at the venue to minimize time spent searching bags at security checkpoints.
Bags that are approved include:
• Clear tote bags made of plastic, vinyl or PVC that do not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12″
• One-gallon clear plastic zip-style bags
• Small purses or clutch bags that do not exceed 6.5″ x 4.5"
• Medical or diaper bags must be accompanied by a child
Bags that are not permitted include:
• Backpacks
• Printed pattern or tinted plastic bags
• Drawstring bags
• Fanny packs
• Camera or binocular cases
• Large purses or bags
TAILGATE TOWN IS BACK
For the fourth straight year, Tailgate Town is your stop before heading inside Barker-Lane Stadium.
Tailgate Town is reimagined and will be better than ever for game days during the 2026 season, featuring a brand new look, and a more interactive experience, including various campus and community representation and a new big screen LED screen featuring football action from The Creek and beyond.
Fun for the whole family, Tailgate Town also includes food trucks, inflatables, yard games, and more. The football pregame experience, which debuted in 2023, is located in the same great, convenient location as previous seasons, just outside the main entrance gates between Barker-Lane Stadium and Stadium View Apartments.
Tailgate Town fires up two hours before kickoff all season, closing just prior to kickoff.
LAST TIME OUT
Kamden Sixkiller threw for 343 yards and combined for four touchdowns, leading Campbell over East Tennessee State 49-37 to open the 2026 season on the road. In the first meeting between the schools, CU (1-0) rolled up 514 yards, finding the end zone on seven of its 11 full possessions, including four of its first six, while ETSU (0-1) tallied 528 yards, but lost a pair of second half fumbles.
Sixkiller completed 29-of-42 passes for a career-high 343 yards with two touchdowns, while rushing for 95 yards, his most as a Camel, and two more TDs. The Norman, Okla. native passed for 243 yards in the first half alone, helping Campbell to a 28-24 lead at the break, the program's most points ever in an opening half against a Division I opponent in a season opener.
Sixkiller's 343 yards passing are the sixth most passing yards in Campbell single-game history.
The Camels opened the season with a win for the first time since 2022. The game marked the 100th road game in Campbell's modern history (since 2008).
QUICK HITS
- WCU heads into Saturday's matchup ranked No. 24 in the Stats Perform FCS Top-25 Poll, while Campbell is receiving votes for the first time since 2024.
- Campbell and Western Carolina are meeting for the third time on the football field, splitting the previous two meetings.
- Campbell begins the 19th season of its modern era of football (since 2008) in 2026, its fourth year as a member of the CAA.
- The Fighting Camels under third year head coach Braxton Harris return six full-time starters on the offensive side of the ball, and four on defense from 2025. Harris is the third head coach in Campbell's modern history.
- The 2026 Campbell team features 44 total returners and 62 newcomers, including 34 freshmen and 28 transfers.
- Last Saturday's matchup marked the 100th road game in Campbell's modern history.
NEXT UP
The Camels head back on the road, traveling to Florida on September 12. The game will be the first for the Camels against the Gators, and its first-ever matchup against an SEC opponent.
Campbell returns home on September 19 (6:00 p.m.), welcoming North Carolina A&T for its CAA opener. The Camels will celebrate 910 Night and will have Postgame Fireworks, presented by Christie Yarbrough RE/MAX United.
PETTIS EARNS PRESEASON ALL-CAA HONORS, CAMELS PICKED EIGHTH IN POLL
Campbell linebacker
DaVonyae Pettis has been named honorable mention Preseason All-CAA, while the Fighting Camels were picked eighth in the conference's preseason poll, as selected by the CAA's head coaches.
Rhode Island, which took the CAA title last season, was the unanimous choice to claim the championship again in 2026, picking up all 12 possible first-place votes (coaches can't vote for their own team) and 144 points in the preseason poll.
Monmouth was chosen second with 119 points, while Elon was close behind in third with 115 points. Placing fourth was New Hampshire with 106 points, and Stony Brook, which got one first-place vote, took fifth with 105 points. Towson (93 points) finished sixth in the poll, followed by Maine (88 points), Campbell (56 points), Bryant (50 points), CAA newcomer Sacred Heart (49 points), UAlbany (35 points), North Carolina A&T (28 points) and Hampton (26 points).
Headlining the preseason all-conference teams, Rhode Island quarterback was chosen as the CAA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while Monmouth safety Jaeden Jones was selected as the CAA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Campbell's Pettis, meanwhile, earned the honorable mention nod after posting 25 tackles, including team highs of 8.5 stops for loss and 4.0 sacks, while forcing three fumbles, registering seven QB hurries and breaking up three passes in his first season at Campbell in 2025.
The Shelby, N.C. native, selected as a team captain heading into the 2026 season, has been nominated for the 2026 Good Works Team, recognized for leadership in community service and announced by Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).
EIGHT CAMELS NAMED TO PHIL STEELE PRESEASON ALL-CAA TEAMS
Phil Steele has picked eight Camels on his 2026 preseason CAA all-conference teams.
DaVonyae Pettis was selected as a second team All-CAA pick at linebacker, while seven other Camels were predicted as third team members, including punter
Brandon Bowman, offensive lineman
Kameron Durant, kicker Caleb Robison, quarterback
Kamden Sixkiller, punt returner
Barry Tate, linebacker
Kalen Villanueva, and wide receiver
Jyron Waiters.
BEDADA NAMED TOP-20 IN CFL SCOUTING BUREAU PRESEASON RANKINGS
Campbell defensive lineman
Ebenezer Bedada has been selected as one of the top professional prospects in Canada, earning the No. 19 spot in the Canadian Football League (CFL) Scouting Bureau's Preseason edition of the Class of 2027 prospect rankings.
The Calgary, Alberta native saw time in all 12 games for the Camels in 2025, posting 12 tackles, including one stop for loss, with a pass breakup, three hurries and a fumble recovery. He made multiple tackles three times on the year, including a season-high three against New Hampshire and William & Mary, tacking on a stop for loss against UNH, and a QB hurry against the Tribe.
The fifth year CAA Commissioner's Honor Roll recipient, earning High Honors in 2025, heads into his third season at Campbell after beginning his career at Murray State.
The CFL Scouting Bureau, comprising CFL scouts, as well as player personnel directors and general managers from the league's nine clubs, releases its rankings three times each year, with the cycle beginning in the fall to coincide with the opening of the collegiate season, in winter ahead of prospects' postseason, and a final ranking in the spring following CFL Combine Season.
PETTIS NAMED GOOD WORKS TEAM NOMINEE BY ALLSTATE, AFCA
Campbell linebacker
DaVonyae Pettis has been nominated for the 2026 Good Works Team, recognized for leadership in community service and announced by Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).
Pettis has made an impact in the community, especially at Buies Creek Elementary School, located next to the Campbell University campus, volunteering on multiple occasions, often multiple times per week, while also joining BCES for its international day where the grade levels put on international dances.
In addition, Pettis has volunteered with a special needs prom, assisting with food assistance for the homeless, and helped with Campbell's freshmen move in.
In his first season at Campbell in 2025, the Shelby, N.C. native also made an immediate impact on the field, posting 25 tackles, including team highs of 8.5 stops for loss and 4.0 sacks, while forcing three fumbles, registering seven QB hurries and breaking up three passes. He has also been selected as a team captain heading into the 2026 season. Pettis also carries a 3.642 GPA and will be graduating with his BBA-Management degree this December.
Pettis is one of 175 student-athletes and coaches nationally across all divisions nominated on this year's Good Works Team, including one of only 20 student-athletes from the FCS ranks.
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team recognizes college football student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional commitment to community service, academics and athletics. Established in 1992 and presented by Allstate since 2008, the program honors players who use their platforms to strengthen communities and support causes important to them.
BOWMAN NAMED TO FCS PUNTER OF THE YEAR PRESEASON WATCH LIST
Campbell newcomer
Brandon Bowman has been named to the 2026 FCS Punter of the Year Award Preseason Watch List by the Augusta Sports Council.
The watch list, which honors the nation's top collegiate punter in the Football Championship Series (FCS), includes 14 student-athletes on its preseason edition.
Bowman, a Harrisburg, N.C. native, heads into his first season at Campbell, transferring from North Carolina Central where he was named a 2025 honorable mention BOXTOROW HBCU All-American, as well as First Team All-MEAC at punter. The senior was also named to the MEAC Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll following the 2025 season, his only year in Durham after starting his collegiate career at NCAA Division II member North Greenville.
The 14 candidates on the list incorporate a broad spectrum of FCS punters and were compiled based on previous FCS Punter of the Year semifinalists, 2025 All-American, and All-Conference selections, top performing punters, and 2026 Preseason All-American and Preseason All-Conference selections. This is not a final list as the winner of the FCS Punter of the Year Award does not need to appear on the preseason watch list.
CAMPBELL, LANE & ASSOCIATES FAMILY DENTISTRY ANNOUNCE TRANSFORMATIONAL PARTNERSHIP
Campbell University and Lane & Associates Family Dentistry, one of North Carolina's largest family dental practices, have announced a significant partnership.
The generous gift is highlighted by a new, state-of-the-art videoboard manufactured and installed by Daktronics at Barker-Lane Stadium, home of Campbell's football and lacrosse programs. The partnership also provides additional support for the Campbell Football program through a dedicated special purpose fund, significant commitment to support Campbell's football NIL efforts, and game day fan activations.
The partnership builds upon a long-standing relationship between Lane & Associates and Campbell University. Dr. Lane has been a longtime supporter of Campbell University and its athletics programs, being half of the namesake of Barker-Lane Stadium, named along with fellow Fuquay-Varina businessman, founder of the Bob Barker Company and longtime Campbell supporter, Bob Barker, in 2008.
As part of the partnership, Lane & Associates will sponsor the new scoreboard at Barker-Lane Stadium, featuring state-of-the-art Daktronics equipment and prominent LAA branding across the back panel of the scoreboard, providing visibility to the heavily traveled U.S. Route 421, which runs through the edge of the University's campus.
CAMPBELL MOURNS THE LOSS OF DALE STEELE, HALL OF FAME FORMER HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
Dale Steele, Campbell Athletics Hall of Fame member, former head coach and the architect of the rebirth of the Campbell football program, passed away on Sunday, July 19 after a after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 70 years old.
Inducted into the Campbell Athletics Hall of Fame in 2025, Steele was named Campbell's first head coach of its modern era on June 15, 2006, of a program that had been dormant since 1950. Steele built the coaching staff and oversaw Campbell's first six recruiting classes on the NCAA Division I level.
Under Steele's guidance, the Camels produced 33 All-Pioneer Football League performers from 2008-12 and 192 PFL Academic Honor Roll members. The team led the PFL – and ranked among the nation's top-20 programs – in rushing for three-straight years from 2009-11. In 2011, Campbell won five consecutive games and finished with the program's first overall (6-5) and conference (5-3) winning records.
The son of a high school coach and a 1976 graduate of the University of South Carolina, where he played on both the offensive and defensive line, Steele began a collegiate coaching career that lasted more than 45 years in 1977 as a graduate assistant at Ball State. Among the many accomplishments his teams produced were five bowl games – including four during two stints on the staff at East Carolina, as well as back-to-back NCAA FCS national championships in 2016 and 2017 while serving as Director of Football Administration at James Madison.
In November 2025, Steele was presented with the Orange Tie Award at the 2025 Orange Tie Gala after establishing the Steele Family endowed scholarship.
A 35-year member of the American Football Coaches Association, Steele served as FCS representative on the NCAA Football Issues Committee, as well as a voting member on the FCS Coaches Poll and All-America selection committee.
Following retirement, Steele remained involved in college football as an advisory and team host for the Myrtle Beach Bowl and has remained present in Campbell Athletics in an unofficial capacity, connecting the entirety of the Camels' modern era of football while continuing to serve the program's coaches, student-athletes, administrators and alumni.
