Game Times and Networks Announced for JMU’s First Two Games and Thursday Home Matchup

BRISTOL, Conn. – Game times and network designations for James Madison football’s first two football and its Thursday night home game in October have been unveiled by ESPN and the Sun Belt Conference, as the Dukes will appear on national television in two of the three outings.
 
The Dukes open the season on Saturday, Aug. 31 when they travel to the Queen City to face Charlotte out of the American Athletic Conference in an 8 p.m. kickoff on ESPNU. It marks the first time since the 2018 opener that JMU will have a nationally-televised opener. It’s also the third all-time meeting, with JMU leading the 49ers, 2-0.
 
The following week, JMU begins its home slate at Bridgeforth Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7 when it hosts Big South Conference foe Gardner-Webb at 6 p.m. on ESPN+. It will be the inaugural meeting between the teams.
 
The Dukes will also be under the lights on national TV on Thursday, Oct. 10 when they clash with Coastal Carolina in a Sun Belt Conference matchup at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2. It will be JMU’s “Brighten the Lights of Madison” game and a White Out. More information about parking and impact for overall campus operations for a Thursday night game will be shared at a later date.
 
Remaining 2024 game times and network designations will be announced by ESPN and the Sun Belt on Mondays, 12 days prior to each game. This year marks the 13th straight season all Sun Belt home games will appear on an ESPN platform.
 
Click here for the full 2024 JMU football schedule. Single-game tickets for all regular-season home games go on sale to Duke Club members on Monday, June 24 at noon while general public ticket sales begin on Monday, July 1 at 9 a.m.