A Cy-Hawk Series win over Iowa State. A one-point road victory at Michigan. And a tough home loss to Ohio State already in the books. The 2026 Iowa Football Schedule has delivered early drama and now heads into a stretch that includes Homecoming against Wisconsin, multiple road tests, and a late rivalry date with Nebraska. Iowa Hawkeyes football sits at 5-1 and faces a defining second half of the Big Ten season. Here is the complete 2026 Iowa Football Schedule with dates, locations, times and television information.
2026 Iowa Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | vs NIU HuskiesKinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA | 4:15 PM ETBTN | Win 40-0 | |
| Saturday | vs Iowa State CyclonesKinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA | 7:30 PM ETNBC/Peacock | Win 16-13 | |
| Saturday | vs Northern Iowa PanthersKinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA | 4:00 PM ETFS1 | Win 55-0 | |
| Saturday | at Michigan WolverinesMichigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI | 3:30 PM ETCBS/Paramount+ | Win 20-19 | |
| Saturday | vs Ohio State BuckeyesKinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA | 3:30 PM ETCBS/Paramount+ | Loss 31-14 | |
| Friday | at Washington HuskiesHusky Stadium, Seattle, WA | 9:00 PM ETFOX | Win 41-24 | |
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | at Minnesota Golden GophersHuntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | 3:00–8:00 PM ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Wisconsin BadgersKinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | Homecoming | |
| Saturday | at Northwestern WildcatsRyan Field, Evanston, IL | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Purdue BoilermakersKinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Illinois Fighting IlliniGies Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Friday | vs Nebraska CornhuskersKinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA | 12:00 PM ETCBS/Paramount+ | ||
| Saturday | vs Big Ten ChampionshipLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | 8:00 PM ETFOX |
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Strong Early Run and Cy-Hawk Victory
Iowa Hawkeyes Football Schedule 2026 opened with four straight wins, including a rivalry thriller and a road upset.
- NIU at home (Sept 5)
- Iowa State at home (Sept 12) — Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series
- Northern Iowa at home (Sept 19)
- Michigan on the road (Sept 26)
Ohio State at Home and a West Coast Win
October brought a tough home loss followed by another road victory.
- Ohio State at home (Oct 3)
- Washington on the road (Oct 9)
- Bye week (Oct 17)
Road to Minnesota and Homecoming
The schedule resumes with a short road trip before Homecoming.
- Minnesota on the road (Oct 24)
- Wisconsin at home for Homecoming (Oct 31)
Northwestern Road Trip and Purdue at Home
November opens with another road game and a home opportunity.
- Northwestern on the road (Nov 7)
- Purdue at home (Nov 14)
Closing Road Game and Rivalry Finale
The regular season ends with a road trip and a home rivalry date.
- Illinois on the road (Nov 21)
- Nebraska at home (Nov 27)
Iowa Football Home Games 2026
Iowa has seven home games at Kinnick Stadium in 2026:
- NIU
- Iowa State
- Northern Iowa
- Ohio State
- Wisconsin (Homecoming)
- Purdue
- Nebraska
The dates against Iowa State, Ohio State, Wisconsin and Nebraska stand out as the highest-profile opportunities at home.
The 2026 Iowa Football Schedule features an impressive early start, a key rivalry win, and a challenging late stretch. How the Hawkeyes handle Homecoming against Wisconsin, the road games at Minnesota and Illinois, and the final home date with Nebraska will shape the entire season.
FAQ
When does Iowa play its first game on the 2026 schedule?
Iowa Football Schedule 2026 opened at home against NIU on Saturday, September 5, at Kinnick Stadium.
When is Iowa vs Wisconsin 2026?
Iowa vs Wisconsin 2026 is set for Saturday, October 31, at home at Kinnick Stadium, doubling as Homecoming.
How many home games does Iowa play in 2026?
Iowa has seven Iowa football home games in 2026 at Kinnick Stadium: NIU, Iowa State, Northern Iowa, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Purdue and Nebraska.
What is Iowa’s toughest stretch on the 2026 schedule?
The mid-season stretch that included Ohio State at home and the upcoming Homecoming date against Wisconsin ranks among the toughest on the Iowa Big Ten schedule 2026, with late road tests still ahead.
