Syracuse, NY – The Syracuse football program’s non-conference game against Toledo will not be played next season, according to a report from the University of Toledo.
The The Rockets released their full four-game non-conference schedule earlier this week, with a home opener against Temple scheduled for Sept. 19.
This was the date when Toledo had previously visited Syracuse.
Toledo’s release of the Temple game included the entire non-conference schedule for the 2026 season. It also included games against Michigan State, Central Connecticut State and San Diego State. Toledo plays eight Mid-American Conference games, which puts it at a maximum of 12 games.
That leaves no room for the game against Syracuse and the Rockets’ matchup against former defensive coordinator Vince Kehres.
Without the game against Toledo, Syracuse will play just six home games next year.
Syracuse athletic director of athletic communications Tyler Cady declined to comment on SU’s 2026 football schedule.
Paul Helgren, Toledo’s assistant athletic director for athletic communications, declined to comment when asked if the game had been canceled. He confirmed that Toledo’s full non-conference schedule has been released and is accurate.
Original contract between Syracuse and Toledo for the series obtained by Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard calls for the Orange to host the Rockets in 2026. Syracuse is under contract to play a game in Toledo in 2029.
The contract indicates that the home team can cancel any contest in exchange for $1 million. If the visiting team cancels the contract, the visiting team must pay $1 million and other expenses.
The need for Syracuse to change its schedule came about because of the ACC’s decision to switch to a nine-game conference schedule in 2026.
Syracuse was allotted five road games and four home games from the ACC in 2026.
Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack has said in previous interviews that he prefers to play seven home games as often as possible.
The reduced number of home games comes in a year when Syracuse raised the price of season tickets throughout the JMA Wireless Dome.
Syracuse is expected to play three more non-conference games as originally scheduled. It will host New Hampshire and Notre Dame and play on the road against UConn.
The full ACC schedule is traditionally released in late January.
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