The James Franklin era is underway at Virginia Tech, which is restructuring its nonconference schedule with Liberty by canceling its 2029-30 home-and-home series with the Flames.
James Franklin-Coached Hokies Scrap 2029-30 Series With Liberty
Virginia Tech and Liberty were scheduled to meet in Blacksburg in 2029 and then travel to Lynchburg in 2030, continuing their previously agreed matchups at Lane Stadium in 2027 and 2028. However, the schools announced Monday that they had agreed to cancel the home-and-home series altogether.
“Virginia Tech and Liberty have mutually agreed to cancel their football games scheduled for the 2029 and 2030 seasons. The two programs will still face off twice in Blacksburg, in 2027 and 2028, as previously scheduled,” Virginia Tech said in a statement published on its school website.
ESPN senior college football writer Adam Rittenberg also reported on the development on Monday afternoon on X.
Virginia Tech and Liberty have mutually agreed to cancel their home-and-home series set for 2029 and 2030.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) March 2, 2026
Virginia Tech has not released further details on potential replacement opponents for the two open slots. The announcement leaves the Hokies with an opening on their 2029 nonconference schedule, which includes a road game at Arizona on Sept. 8 and a home game against Maryland on Sept. 15.
Their 2030 schedule includes home games against Arizona on Aug. 30 and Old Dominion on Sept. 21, as well as a road game in Provo, Utah, against BYU on Sept. 14.
Virginia Tech is preparing for the 2026 season. The Hokies are scheduled to host their annual Spring Game on April 18. They open the 2026 season on Sept. 5 against VMI at Lane Stadium, host Old Dominion on Sept. 12, and visit Maryland at College Park the following week.
The ACC campaign begins Sept. 26 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, against Boston College. The Hokies will host Pittsburgh on Oct. 2, then travel to California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California, to face California on Oct. 10.
Virginia Tech will host Georgia Tech at Worsham Field in Lane Stadium on Oct. 17 and visit Clemson at Frank Howard Field at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina, on Oct. 24. They will have a one-week break before visiting SMU on Nov. 6 or Nov. 7 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Stanford will visit Blacksburg the following week.
The Hokies will travel to Miami Gardens on Nov. 20 to play national championship runner-up Miami at Hard Rock Stadium, then conclude their regular season Nov. 28 against Virginia. The ACC Championship Game is scheduled for Dec. 5 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Last season, Virginia Tech started 0-3, which led to the dismissal of head coach Brent Pry. Offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery served as interim coach for the remainder of the season, finishing 3-9.
Franklin was hired by the Hokies in November 2025, months after being dismissed by Penn State. He signed a five-year, $41.75 million contract that runs through the 2030 season.
