GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The University of North Dakota has come to an agreement to play a home-and-home football series against Long Island University in the 2026 and 2027 seasons. It will be the first games played on the gridiron between the two squads in history.

The Fighting Hawks will now kick off its 2026 season on Thursday, Aug. 27, hosting the Sharks inside the Alerus Center. With the addition, UND will now play 12 Division I opponents during the regular season for the third consecutive year. It will also be the first Thursday game at the Alerus Center for the Fighting Hawks since March 4, 2021, when North Dakota defeated South Dakota, 21-10, during the 2020-21 season.

UND will then visit Brookville, N.Y., to take on LIU on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2027. North Dakota has only played in the Empire State twice previously, with UND visiting Stony Brook (2016) and Army (1930).

Most recently, Long Island went 6-6 in 2025 and 4-3 in NEC play. It marked the best overall record for LIU in the Division I era. The season was highlighted by a 28-23 win at Eastern Michigan, giving the Sharks their first-ever win over a Football Bowl Subdivision team.

This completes the 2026 non-conference schedule for North Dakota. The non-conference slate also includes a home game against St. Thomas (Sept. 5), before trips to Portland State (Sept. 12) and Nebraska (Sept. 19).

For more information on North Dakota football, follow on social media @UNDfootball or visit FightingHawks.com.