The Pirates and Lady Pirates compete in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and are members of the Coastal Athletic Association.

Hampton has two main rivals: Howard University, also known as The Real HU rivalry, and Norfolk State University, also known as the Battle of the Bay.

In September 2019, Hampton revived their rivalry with Howard during the Chicago Football Classic.

A member of the Coastal Athletic Association, Hampton sponsors teams in eight men's and nine women's NCAA sanctioned sports.

[2]' In 2022, Hampton joined the Coastal Athletic Association.