University of Memphis Athletics
Memphis Cross Country Announces 2026 Schedule
Aug 25, 2026 | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – University of Memphis head cross country coach Kevin Robinson, alongside assistant track and field coach CJ Jones, who oversees distance and cross country, announced the Tigers' 2026 schedule on Tuesday.
"We're extremely excited about this season and the opportunity to continue building on the tremendous strides we made as a program last year," Jones said. "We want to keep pushing the envelope, raising the standard and continuing to move this program forward. We're also really excited about this year's schedule, which gives us several opportunities to compete against some outstanding teams and challenge ourselves at a high level. We hope our fans will come out and support and cheer on our Tigers throughout the season."
The campaign includes four regular-season meets prior to the American Conference Championships on Oct. 31 at Lake Oaks Park in New Orleans.
Memphis opens the season at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex for the City Auto Memphis Twilight Classic on Sept. 5, marking the program's 23rd appearance in the local opener. For the third straight year, the Tigers will race in the Rhodes Invitational on Sept. 19 to wrap up the opening month of competition.
The Tigers then travel to Fayetteville, Arkansas, for the first time since 2010 to compete in the Chile Pepper Invitational on Oct. 3. The regular season concludes in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, at the Crimson Tide Invitational on Oct. 16.
Postseason action begins with the American Conference Championships on Oct. 31, followed by the NCAA South Regional Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, at Apalachee Regional Park on Nov. 13. Qualifying individuals and teams will advance to the NCAA Championships later in November.
This year's roster features seven returners on the women's side, alongside five returning runners and two newcomers for the men's team.
2026 Memphis Cross Country Schedule
"We're extremely excited about this season and the opportunity to continue building on the tremendous strides we made as a program last year," Jones said. "We want to keep pushing the envelope, raising the standard and continuing to move this program forward. We're also really excited about this year's schedule, which gives us several opportunities to compete against some outstanding teams and challenge ourselves at a high level. We hope our fans will come out and support and cheer on our Tigers throughout the season."
The campaign includes four regular-season meets prior to the American Conference Championships on Oct. 31 at Lake Oaks Park in New Orleans.
Memphis opens the season at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex for the City Auto Memphis Twilight Classic on Sept. 5, marking the program's 23rd appearance in the local opener. For the third straight year, the Tigers will race in the Rhodes Invitational on Sept. 19 to wrap up the opening month of competition.
The Tigers then travel to Fayetteville, Arkansas, for the first time since 2010 to compete in the Chile Pepper Invitational on Oct. 3. The regular season concludes in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, at the Crimson Tide Invitational on Oct. 16.
Postseason action begins with the American Conference Championships on Oct. 31, followed by the NCAA South Regional Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, at Apalachee Regional Park on Nov. 13. Qualifying individuals and teams will advance to the NCAA Championships later in November.
This year's roster features seven returners on the women's side, alongside five returning runners and two newcomers for the men's team.
2026 Memphis Cross Country Schedule
- Sept. 5 – City Auto Memphis Twilight Classic (Memphis, Tenn.)
- Sept. 19 – Rhodes Invitational (Memphis, Tenn.)
- Oct. 3 – Chile Pepper Invitational (Fayetteville, Ark.)
- Oct. 16 – Crimson Tide Invitational (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
- Oct. 31 – American Conference Championships (New Orleans, La.)
- Nov. 13 – NCAA South Regional (Tallahassee, Fla.)
Wednesday, September 07
Saturday, September 18
Thursday, April 09
Thursday, October 24