The Cy-Hawk rivalry in Iowa City by Week 2. Utah visiting Ames in September. And a late Friday night trip to BYU that doesn’t kick off until 10:15 p.m. ET. The 2026 Iowa State Football Schedule delivers rivalry stakes and ranked competition early and often.
Iowa State Cyclones football opens with the state’s biggest rivalry, hosts a ranked opponent in September, and faces a demanding mid-season travel slate. Here is the complete 2026 Iowa State Football Schedule with dates, locations, times and television information.
2026 Iowa State Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Southeast Missouri RedhawksJack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA | 1:00 PM ETESPN+ | ||
| Cy-Hawk Series | ||||
| Saturday | at Iowa HawkeyesKinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA | 7:30 PM ETNBC/Peacock | ||
| Saturday | Bowling Green FalconsJack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA | 12:00 PM ETESPNU | ||
| Saturday | Utah UtesJack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Homecoming | ||||
| Saturday | West Virginia MountaineersJack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Friday | at BYU CougarsLaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT | 10:15 PM ETESPN | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | at Arizona WildcatsCasino Del Sol Stadium, Tucson, AZ | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Oklahoma State CowboysJack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Baylor BearsMcLane Stadium, Waco, TX | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Cincinnati BearcatsJack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Friday | at UCF KnightsAcrisure Bounce House, Orlando, FL | 6:00 PM ETFS1 | ||
| Saturday | Kansas State WildcatsJack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Friday | vs Big 12 ChampionshipAT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX | 8:00 PM ETABC | ||
The Cy-Hawk Rivalry Arrives Early
Iowa State Cyclones Football Schedule 2026 opens against Southeast Missouri before the season’s first true test — a trip to Kinnick Stadium for the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series against Iowa on September 12, a Saturday night kickoff on NBC. Bowling Green gives Ames a home date to recover before Utah visits on September 26, the first ranked home opponent of the year.
That early rivalry game will set the tone for the entire season.
West Virginia for Homecoming, Then a Late Night in Provo
West Virginia visits for Homecoming on October 3 before Iowa State Football Schedule 2026 sends the Cyclones to BYU for a Friday night kickoff that doesn’t start until 10:15 p.m. ET. A bye week on October 17 gives the roster time to recover from back-to-back tests against Utah and BYU.
Arizona, Then a Manageable Home Stretch
A road trip to Arizona opens the back half of October before Oklahoma State visits Jack Trice Stadium on Halloween. The Iowa State Big 12 schedule 2026 then sends the Cyclones to Baylor before Cincinnati returns them home in mid-November.
A Friday Night in Orlando, Then the Home Finale
A Friday night road trip to UCF closes out the toughest travel stretch of the season before Kansas State visits Ames to close the regular season. If Iowa State is still playing December 4, the Cyclones will be in Arlington for the Big 12 Championship.
Iowa State Football Home Games 2026
Iowa State has seven home games at Jack Trice Stadium in 2026: Southeast Missouri, Bowling Green, Utah, West Virginia, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati and Kansas State. The dates against Utah and Kansas State stand out as the highest-profile opportunities at home.
The 2026 Iowa State Football Schedule features an early rivalry showdown, ranked home competition, and significant mid-season travel. How the Cyclones handle the Cy-Hawk game, the Utah home date, and the late Friday night trip to BYU will shape the entire year.
FAQ
When does Iowa State play its first game on the 2026 schedule?
Iowa State Football Schedule 2026 opens at home against Southeast Missouri on Saturday, September 5, at Jack Trice Stadium.
When is Iowa State vs Iowa 2026?
Iowa State vs Iowa 2026, the Cy-Hawk Series, is set for Saturday, September 12, on the road at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.
How many home games does Iowa State play in 2026?
Iowa State has seven Iowa State football home games in 2026 at Jack Trice Stadium: Southeast Missouri, Bowling Green, Utah, West Virginia, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati and Kansas State.
What is Iowa State’s toughest stretch on the 2026 schedule?
The run from Iowa (road) through Utah (home) and BYU (road) — September 12 through October 9 — ranks as the toughest early stretch on the Iowa State Big 12 schedule 2026.
