Phoenix Rising FC knows they’ll be bringing more than a dozen players back to the pitch in 2026, and now next season’s schedule is also out.

The club on Tuesday announced the schedule of matches that will celebrate the Rising’s 10th anniversary season.

The schedule features at least 35 matches between a 30-game regular-season slate, four matches in the Prinx Tires USL Cup and at least one match in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Official kickoff times for all matches will be announced at a later date.

The club will open the season – its second year under head coach Pa-Modou Kah – March 7 in Texas to take on San Antonio FC, and will make its first appearance of 2026 in the Valley a week later when Orange County FC visits Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff on March 14.

The Rising retains 13 players from its 2025 team that scored 61 goals in all competitions en route to a 9-8-13 regular-season record and appearance in the conference semifinal. Notably, the club’s three top goal scorers in all competitions return in Second Team All-League midfielder Hope Avayevu (18 – 7 goals, 11 assists), forward Ihsan Sacko (15 – 8 goals, 7 assists) and forward Charlie Dennis (14 – 11 goals, 3 assists), the club announced last month.

“With the returning players we have a core group who understand and are committed to driving the standard and culture of this club,” Kah shared in a press release. “We want to thank those who contributed to last season’s team both on and off the field and I know the players, technical staff, front office and fans are looking forward to the upcoming season to reach our objectives.”

Collin Smith and JP Scearce will begin the first season of the multi-year extensions they signed, keeping them with the club through at least the 2027 USL Championship season. Other players returning under contract include Rafael Czichos, Jean-Eric Moursou, Kelvin Arase, Darius Johnson, Damian Rivera and Jamison Ping.

The Rising faces rival New Mexico United for the first time on April 11 at Phoenix Rising Stadium. New Mexico United is one of five teams Rising will take on at least three times in 2026, alongside Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, Oakland Roots SC, Orange County SC and Sacramento Republic FC.

Other notable matches include an away trip against FC Tulsa (March 28), where Rising’s 2025 season came to a close in November, as well as a marquee midweek matchup against Louisville City FC (June 10), a team that has won the last two USL Players’ Shields after finishing each of the last two seasons with greater than 70 points.

Outside of its regular-season slate, the Rising will compete in the Prinx Tires USL Cup (formerly USL Jägermeister Cup) for a second consecutive season.

Additionally, the Rising opens the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in the First Round, making its 11th appearance in the longest-running competition in United States soccer. The match will be played between March 17 and 19, with the opponent, date and location to be revealed following the draw in January.

Phoenix Rising FC won its first-ever championship in the 2023 USL Championship Final by defeating the Charleston Battery 3-2 on penalties. The team also won the Western Conference titles in 2023, 2020, and 2018.

Call 623-594-9606 or email sales@phxrisingfc.com with questions on 2026 ticket options.

Click here for the Rising’s complete 2026 schedule.