FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) and the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) are proud to announce the renewal of their annual football crossover series. Beginning in 2026, the series will officially use the final regular season NPI rankings from the previous season to determine matchups, ensuring competitive balance and fresh pairings while continuing to highlight regional rivalries across the Midwest. The 2026 matchups will be played on HCAC campuses on Saturday, September 19, 2026.

MIAA Commissioner Jason Horn noted the significance of the change, saying, “Using the NPI rankings to set the matchups strengthens the competitive integrity of the event and sets us up for some great competition. The MIAA values this partnership with the HCAC and looks forward to continuing the agreement into the future.”

HCAC Commissioner Jay Jones added, “The MIAA/HCAC Crossover Series, launched in 2021 to address week-three scheduling challenges in our region, has grown into an event that teams from both leagues eagerly anticipate. As we enter the fifth year and continue to evolve the series, it’s exciting to implement a more equitable metric for determining matchups.”

Since Calvin University began football in 2024, expanding the MIAA to eight football-playing institutions, the HCAC (currently with seven football-playing members) has maintained an agreement to include one Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) team each year to ensure balance in the crossover format.

The 2026 matchups are as follows:
Hope @ Hanover
Alma @ Baldwin Wallace
Adrian @ Mount St. Joseph
Calvin @ Franklin
Trine @ Bluffton
Albion @ Rose-Hulman
Kalamazoo @ Anderson
Olivet @ Manchester

Per the agreement between the MIAA and the HCAC, kickoff times will be scheduled by mutual agreement between the institutions. Future dates for the series include September 18, 2027, when the MIAA will host, and September 16, 2028, when the HCAC will again host.

The 2026 crossover will also feature three teams that participated in the 2025 NCAA Football Championship: Hope and Alma from the MIAA, and Hanover from the HCAC.

The MIAA vs. HCAC Crossover series has become an annual week three staple of Division III football, offering fans exciting inter-conference matchups while strengthening ties between the two leagues. With competitive pairings based on NPI rankings, the series ensures balanced contests and showcases the depth of talent across both conference. Fans are encouraged to visit the host institution’s website to purchase tickets or tune in via livestream to catch all the action.