Louisiana Tech on C-USA, Sun Belt schedules amid standoff

Both Conference USA and Sun Belt included Louisiana Tech in their 2026 football schedules, announced this week, as the school and C-USA argue over the Bulldogs’ release date.

Conference USA included Louisiana Tech in its 2026 schedule announced Thursday. The Sun Belt then announced its 2026 schedule on Friday and also included Louisiana Tech – giving the Bulldogs 20 scheduled games.

Louisiana Tech also issued a press release Friday announcing its 2026 schedule as a member of the Sun Belt.

The school accepted an invitation to join the Sun Belt on July 14, 2025, and a press release announcing the decision stated that Louisiana Tech would join the conference “no later than July 1, 2027.”

School officials told Conference USA they planned to leave July 1, 2026, but the parties could not agree on a departure date or settlement fee.

So, earlier this month, the University of Louisiana system, on behalf of Louisiana Tech, sued Conference USA to be able to leave the conference on July 1. In a statement released after the suit was filed, the school said the proposed 2026 football schedule drafted by Conference USA left them with no choice but to proceed.