HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana University football team reports to campus today, one month ahead of the 2026 season opener.
The Lions will officially open fall practice Tuesday at 9 a.m. As its done since Southeastern head coach Frank Scelfo took over the program prior to the 2018 season, SLU will hold split-squad practices for the first four days of fall camp with half the team working out at 9 a.m. and the other half practicing at 10:30 a.m.
The team will come together as a full team for the first time Saturday, Aug. 1 at 9 a.m. Practices during fall camp will be held Monday-Saturday at 9 a.m. until the beginning of the fall semester Wednesday, Aug. 19. From that point forward, weekday practices will be held at 3:50 p.m. throughout the season.
Southeastern will be working towards its fifth NCAA FCS playoff appearance under Scelfo, who is entering his ninth year in Hammond. SLU finished 9-4 overall last season and returned to the postseason for the first time since 2022.
The Lions will be replacing 26 seniors from last season’s squad. The 2026 roster features a strong nucleus of key returners, including veterans eager to step into bigger roles, and talented newcomers poised to make an immediate impact.
Scelfo will be among the Southeastern head coaches in attendance at Wednesday’s One Stop, One Roar event at 6 p.m. at Gnarly Barley to kick off the 2026-27 SLU Athletics season.
SLU will host a Season Ticket Pickup Party in conjunction with the Lions’ 9 a.m. practice on Saturday, Aug. 15. The SLU football team will also help welcome Southeastern students back to campus on Tuesday, Aug. 18 for the annual Strawberry Jam at 6:30 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium.
Southeastern will also participate in the Hammond Downtown Development’s Hot August Night Friday, Aug. 22, hosting Lionpawlooza at 5 p.m. in Railroad Park.
The 2026 season of Inside Southeastern Football with Frank Scelfo will debut Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. at Brady’s. After the season debut, the show will air Mondays at 7 p.m. through the end of the 2026 campaign on the Southeastern Sports Radio Network (Kajun 107.1 FM, The Highway 104.7 FM, The Boss 97.7 FM/WFPR 1400 AM), which will also again broadcast every Lion football game in 2026.
Southeastern will open the 2026 season at home, hosting HCU at 6 p.m. Aug. 27 in Strawberry Stadium.
2026 Southeastern Football Key Preseason Dates
July 27 – Players report for fall camp
July 28 – First practice | 9 a.m.
July 29 – One Stop, One Roar | 6 p.m. | Gnarly Barley
Aug. 15 – Season Ticket Pickup Party | 9 a.m.
Aug. 18 – Strawberry Jam | 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 19 – First day of classes
Aug. 22 – Lionpawlooza | 5 p.m. | Railroad Park
Aug. 25 – Debut episode of Inside Southeastern Football with Frank Scelfo | 7 p.m. | Brady’s
TICKETS
For ticket information, contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net. Southeastern will continue offering mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail or text message in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Football, follow @LionUpFootball and @Coach_Scelfo on X, like /LionUpAthletics on Facebook and follow @lionupfootball on Instagram.
TOUCHDOWN CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the football program are encouraged to join the Touchdown Club. Lion football alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
All membership fees and donations to both the Touchdown Club and S Club (football) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern football program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics observes a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.
