Throughout this academic year, hundreds of games will be played by our hometown heroes, the Red. Sports, both indoor and outdoor, spanning the fall, winter and spring will continue to define Cornell’s rich athletic history in the most renowned amateur athletic conference in the United States, the Ivy League.
Listed below are some of the many do-not-miss games the Red will play this upcoming academic year.
Homecoming: Men’s Football v. Lehigh – Oct. 17 at 2 p.m. (Home)
When making a college to-do list, Homecoming should be on it whether you like sports or not. In a few short weeks, fans of the Red will pack Schoellkopf Field’s 21,000 seats to be part of the most renowned college sporting event there is.
This year’s matchup will see the Red take on the Lehigh Mountain Hawks. This will be a rematch of the 2014 Homecoming game that saw the Red fall by a score of 31-14 to the Mountain Hawks. Since head coach Dan Swanstrom took the helm in 2023, Homecoming has never failed to entertain. This year's game will undoubtedly prove crucial for the Red, who are looking to continue the improvement it has seen under coach Swanstrom.
The Mountain Hawks were recently voted No. 11 in the 2026 AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, having secured 12 victories and only one loss in last year’s campaign. A win for the Red would not only represent a non-conference victory over a FCS powerhouse, but possibly the central factor for a potential Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs bid.
Outside of the football game, the festivities of Homecoming will be celebrated the entire weekend, kicking off with a drone and laser light show at Schoellkopf on Friday, Oct. 16.
Volleyball v. Columbia – Sept. 26 at 2 p.m. (Home)
A rivalry that will soon become very familiar to new fans of the Red is its annual conference matchups against the Columbia Lions. This rivalry is larger than sports. It represents a battle for bragging rights.
One of the first opportunities a freshman will have to experience this rivalry is when volleyball takes on the Lions in its Ivy League opener. The last time these teams met, the Red came away with a 3-1 victory over its conference rival.
Historically, the Red has consistently outmatched the Lions, winning 64 out of 80 matches. In recent years, the rivalry has leaned especially in favor of the Red, who have not lost to the Lions since 2023. This year, the matchup will provide the Red with an opportunity to build on its momentum from last season, while continuing historical dominance over one of its biggest rivals.
Women’s Hockey v. Harvard – Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. (Home)
The Harvard matchup is always one of the most anticipated games of the entire season. This is the type of matchup that has helped create the electric atmosphere felt every time you step into Lynah Rink.
The teams have split their last 10 games, with each team winning five games apiece. Last season, the teams split a gritty two-game series that included a dominant 5-2 victory for the Red over the Crimson on its home turf. A win in this game would help the Red set the tone early in the season, taking down its historic rival while earning a crucial conference victory.
The Red are coming off a solid season that saw it secure 20 wins before losing in the ECAC Hockey Championship Semifinals at Lake Placid to the Yale Bulldogs.
This game may reflect a possible matchup in the ECAC playoffs, possibly even the championship. There is no doubt the Lynah Faithful will make their presence felt throughout the game, making it a prime opportunity for new fans of the Red to ingrain themselves within the legendary fandom.
Men’s Hockey v. Harvard – Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. (Home)
Getting inside Lynah Rink for the annual men’s hockey game against the Harvard Crimson is no easy task. When thinking of sporting events every Cornellian should go to, this matchup will always be at the top of the list.
The match will be especially thrilling since it will be the first time the two teams have met since they faced off in the ECAC Hockey Championship Quarterfinals. The series saw the Red bounce back from a game-one loss as it showed real grit and determination during two clutch wins that punched its ticket to the Semifinals in Lake Placid.
This annual matchup has been a tradition for all members of the Cornell community for decades, built on a rivalry that has seen the two teams exchanging blows since the early years of the 20th century. Whether you are lucky enough to watch the game in Lynah Rink or end up watching on a common room TV, this game’s energy will be impossible to ignore.
Beyond the rivalry, a unique tradition has added to this game’s allure. Although Cornell prohibits it, fans have made it a tradition to throw fish onto the Lynah ice whenever the Red plays the Crimson.
Men’s Lacrosse v. Princeton – TBD
While the men’s lacrosse team’s schedule has not yet been released, there is a guaranteed conference matchup: 2025 NCAA National Champion Cornell versus 2026 NCAA National Champion Princeton.
When the Red take the field against the Princeton Tigers, it will be more than two conference rivals facing off. The two teams with championship-winning players will look to prove why they are the best team in the nation.
The last time these teams faced off was in the Ivy League Championship Game, which saw the Tigers comfortably defeat the then reigning-champion Red. This matchup will undoubtedly be highlighted on both programs’ calendars, as a win would likely bolster either team to the top of the national ranks. This game may be months away, but it will be one of the most anticipated Cornell sporting events.
Let the Games Begin
If you can not attend any of these games, Cornell has 37 varsity sports teams, each with its own unique rivalries and histories. No matter the sporting event you attend, the Red will always be ready to put together a strong showing of diverse athletic capabilities. Getting out to these different events and supporting our Red is essential to demonstrating just how strong Cornell’s fanbase truly is.
Matthew Leonard is a member of the Class of 2028 in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations. He is a sports editor of the 144th Editorial Board and was previously the assistant sports editor for the 143rd Editorial Board. He can be reached at mleonard@cornellsun.com.
