CANTON, Ohio and LINCOLN, Neb. – April 22, 2026 – Opendorse today announced the return of the Opendorse Bowl Series for its third year, continuing its commitment to delivering premium postseason opportunities for Division III Football student-athletes.
Featuring top teams from the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC), North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC), Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC), and Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC), the Bowl Series is set to take place once again at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio – two different games highlighting programs that narrowly miss the NCAA tournament and providing an additional postseason platform for competition and exposure.
In addition to on-field competition, the series continues to create meaningful NIL opportunities and educational resources for participating student-athletes, reinforcing Opendorse’s mission to expand access and equity within the athlete economy.
Founded in 2024, the Opendorse Bowl Series was created in collaboration with the HCAC, NCAC, OAC, and PAC, longtime, innovative leaders in intercollegiate athletics. Each conference will again be represented by a team selected based on conference-specific criteria among those not chosen for the NCAA Division III Football Championship.
Additional event details, including matchups, ticketing, and broadcast information, will be announced at a later date.
What they’re saying
Steve Denton, CEO, Opendorse – “The Opendorse Bowl Series is a testament to the power of collaboration across conferences and partners who share a vision for the student-athlete experience. It’s a powerful weekend in Canton, one of the most special and anticipated weekends on the College Football calendar.”
Blake Lawrence, President, Collegiate Operations, Opendorse – “The Opendorse Bowl Series was built to create more opportunities for student-athletes, and Year 3 is about continuing to raise the bar. From the beginning, this event has been first-class experience. We’re proud to keep building something that truly impacts the future of these athletes.”
Jake Daugherty, Director, Collegiate Partnerships, Opendorse – “As a former collegiate Football student-athlete, the Opendorse Bowl series has been one of the most impactful initiatives our team has been a part of. What started as a conversation around creating additional opportunities for Division III Football student-athletes has grown into a truly special event to cap off the season. Now heading into Year 3, we’re continuing to raise the bar and further elevate the experience for everyone involved. Opendorse couldn’t be prouder to support an event of this magnitude and the student-athletes it was built for.”
Jay Jones, Commissioner, Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference – “After two successful years of competition, we’re excited to build on that momentum heading into a third year. The experience with Opendorse’s support has provided a meaningful opportunity for our student-athletes to compete at a high level while benefiting from a first-class environment, and we look forward to continuing that growth and success in the upcoming season.”
About Opendorse
Opendorse is the technology, data, and service platform powering the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) industry for colleges, collectives, consumers, and commercial partners. More than 175,000 athlete influencers use Opendorse to build, promote, and monetize their personal brands through the largest athlete media network.
For media inquiries and sponsorship interest, contact Opendorse SVP, Head of Athlete Relations & Marketing Julian Valentin at julian.valentin@opendorse.com.