NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk State women's basketball unveiled its 2026-27 schedule, featuring 31 regular-season games, 17 dates at Echols Hall, six Power Four opponents, regional matchups and 14 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) matchups.

"We didn't avoid anybody putting this schedule together," head coach Jermaine Woods said. "Duke, Ole Miss, Florida, North Carolina, Iowa State, Virginia — that's six games where you find out exactly who you are. That's by design. If you want to win a championship in March, you'd better see that level of competition in November and December."

The Spartans open the season Nov. 2 against Virginia State, the first of four consecutive home games to begin the year, before hosting the University of the District of Columbia on Nov. 4 and Penn on Nov. 8. Norfolk State then faces one of its biggest challenges of the nonconference slate when Duke becomes the first ACC school to travel to Echols Hall on Nov. 12.

"This schedule says something about where our program is," Woods said. "Teams like this don't put you on their schedule, and they certainly don't come to your building, unless they respect what you've built. Our players earned that. Now we've got to go compete."

Norfolk State then heads to Hampton for the "Battle of the Bay" and its first road contest of the season on Nov. 14 before continuing nonconference play against Bluefield State on Nov. 17, Campbell on Nov. 20 and Appalachian State on Nov. 23, with all three contests taking place at Echols Hall. The Spartans close November at Radford on Nov. 29.

The Spartans open December on the road at Iowa State for the second consecutive season on Dec. 2 before returning home for matchups against Chowan on Dec. 8 and Elon on Dec. 13. Norfolk State then welcomes national powerhouse Ole Miss to Echols Hall on Dec. 15 before closing nonconference play with a four-game road swing, beginning with Florida on Dec. 17, North Carolina on Dec. 21, High Point on Dec. 23 and Virginia on Dec. 28.

The nonconference slate carries a distinctly regional flavor, with 11 of the 17 games coming against opponents from Virginia and North Carolina.

Norfolk State opens MEAC play Jan. 2 against North Carolina Central before traveling to Maryland Eastern Shore on Jan. 7. The Spartans return home to host Delaware State on Jan. 9 and South Carolina State on Jan. 16.

The Spartans hit the road again for games at Morgan State on Jan. 21 and Coppin State on Jan. 23 before closing January at home against Howard on Jan. 30.

Norfolk State begins February at North Carolina Central on Feb. 6 before hosting Maryland Eastern Shore on Feb. 11. The Spartans travel to Delaware State on Feb. 13 and South Carolina State on Feb. 20 before returning home for matchups against Morgan State on Feb. 25 and Coppin State on Feb. 27.

"I want that building loud," Woods said. "Our fans give us a real edge at Echols Hall, and with 17 home games there's no reason not to be there. Duke comes to Norfolk on Nov. 12 — I'd get your tickets now."

The Spartans close the regular season at Howard on March 4 before turning their attention to the MEAC Tournament, scheduled for March 10-13 at the Norfolk Scope in Norfolk, Va.

"This group put in the work all summer and they've been asking about this schedule since the spring," Woods said. "They're ready for it. Now we've got to take care of the details every single day between now and Nov. 2."

Game times and broadcast designations will be announced at a later date. All home contests and select MEAC road games will stream on ESPN+.

Season tickets for the 2026-27 campaign are available now at nsuspartanstickets.universitytickets.com. For group and single-game ticket information, contact the Norfolk State ticket office at 757-823-9009.

For complete coverage of Norfolk State Athletics, please follow the Spartans on social media at @nsuspartans (X/Twitter), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube) or visit the official home of Norfolk State Athletics at nsuspartans.com.