The gray turf of Rynearson Stadium has seen its share of battles, but in 2026, the Eastern Michigan University Eagles are taking their toughest rivalry to the brightest stage in the state.
Eastern Michigan University and Central Michigan University have officially announced that their historic rivalry is heading to Ford Field in Detroit for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. This isn’t just a change of scenery; it’s a high-stakes move to the home of the Detroit Lions, designed to turn one of college football’s oldest rivalries into a Motor City MACtion spectacle.
A championship stage for a century-old grudge
The EMU-CMU series is the longest-running rivalry in the Mid-American Conference, dating back to 1902. The 2026 matchup will mark the 104th meeting between the two schools, making it the second-longest-running series in Michigan, trailing only the University of Michigan-Michigan State University rivalry.
While CMU currently leads the series with 65 wins to EMU’s 32 and six ties, the Eagles have a history of making magic happen at Ford Field. In 2004, the two teams met for the first Collegiate Clash in Detroit, where EMU secured a legendary 61-58 victory in four overtimes.
“Taking this rivalry to Detroit places Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, and the Mid-American Conference on a major stage in a city with a strong football tradition,” EMU Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee said in a statement.
The green and white takeover
For EMU, this move is a strategic "home game" for the 2026 season. With Wayne County hosting more EMU graduates than anywhere else in Michigan, the game is expected to be a massive homecoming.
Wetherbee said that there are 98,000 EMU alumni throughout Metro Detroit.
In a statement, EMU President James Smith described Ford Field as a powerful gathering place for the university's alumni to join current students and supporters. He added that the partnership “sparks the kind of spirited, good natured rivalry that builds excitement leading up to game week.”
Central Michigan is also looking to tap into its own base of over 70,000 alumni in the metropolitan Detroit region. CMU President Neil MacKinnon stated that these games are a “tremendous way to showcase CMU’s connection with the city of Detroit.”
A Lions legacy
Both programs are no strangers to the professional atmosphere of 2000 Brush Street. Eastern Michigan hosted a series of games at Ford Field from 2004 through 2007, including matchups against the U.S. Navy Academy and Northwestern University. More recently, in 2019, the Eagles returned for the Quick Lane Bowl, which drew a record crowd of 34,765 fans.
Central Michigan brings an even deeper stadium resume, as the 2027 game will mark their 13th all-time appearance at Ford Field. The Chippewas’ history at the venue includes four MAC Championship games and six bowl appearances, with their games averaging more than 32,000 fans. Brad Michaels, Detroit Lions vice president of events, expressed excitement about hosting the annual rivalry, stating that both teams have been familiar faces at the stadium over the years.
Elevating the MACtion brand
This collaboration between the schools, the MAC and the Detroit Lions is a calculated move to showcase the universities in one of their most vital markets. CMU Athletic Director Amy Folan emphasized that the goal is to reconnect with alumni and showcase the entire university on a major platform.
The move also provides a professional-grade experience for the players. By stepping into an NFL facility, student-athletes get to compete in what Wetherbee calls a championship setting that elevates the prestige of the Mid-American Conference. President James Smith noted that this stage “elevates both universities in the eyes of fans across the state,” turning a standard conference game into a premier athletic event.
What to expect: Midweek madness
Fans should prepare for the unique energy of midweek football. While the specific dates and television information will be released by the MAC in early spring of 2026, the shift to a weeknight game under professional lights adds a level of prestige usually reserved for bowl games.
Key dates to watch:
- March 2026: Official game date and time announced by the MAC.
- Spring 2026: Tickets officially go on sale to the public.
- November 2026: EMU hosts CMU at Ford Field.
- November 2027: CMU hosts EMU at Ford Field.
