A solid home opener. A dominant win over Colorado. And a signature home victory against Penn State already secured. The 2026 Northwestern Football Schedule has delivered a strong 4-1 start and now turns toward a challenging stretch that includes road trips to Oregon and Ohio State plus a late rivalry date with Illinois. Northwestern Wildcats football sits in good position and faces a defining second half of the Big Ten season. Here is the complete 2026 Northwestern Football Schedule with dates, locations, times and television information.
2026 Northwestern Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | vs South Dakota State JackrabbitsNW Medicine at Martin Stadium, Evanston, IL | 8:00 PM ETBTN | Win 34-18 | |
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | vs Colorado BuffaloesNW Medicine at Martin Stadium, Evanston, IL | 7:30 PM ETFOX | Win 41-7 | |
| Friday | at Indiana HoosiersMemorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN | 8:00 PM ETFOX | Loss 29-23 | |
| Friday | vs Penn State Nittany LionsRyan Field, Evanston, IL | 8:00 PM ETFOX | Win 34-13 | |
| Saturday | vs Ball State CardinalsRyan Field, Evanston, IL | 12:30 PM ETBTN | Win 45-14 | |
| Saturday | at Michigan State SpartansSpartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Rutgers Scarlet KnightsRyan Field, Evanston, IL | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Oregon DucksAutzen Stadium, Eugene, OR | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Iowa HawkeyesRyan Field, Evanston, IL | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Ohio State BuckeyesOhio Stadium, Columbus, OH | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Minnesota Golden GophersHuntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Illinois Fighting IlliniRyan Field, Evanston, IL | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Big Ten ChampionshipLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | 8:00 PM ETFOX |
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Strong Early Start and Signature Win
Northwestern Wildcats Football Schedule 2026 opened with four wins in five games, including a major home victory.
- South Dakota State at home (Sept 5)
- Bye week (Sept 12)
- Colorado at home (Sept 19)
- Indiana on the road (Sept 25)
- Penn State at home (Oct 2)
Homecoming Victory
A comfortable Homecoming win followed the Penn State result.
- Ball State at home for Homecoming (Oct 10)
Road to Michigan State and Rutgers at Home
Mid-to-late October brings a short road trip and another home opportunity.
- Michigan State on the road (Oct 17)
- Rutgers at home (Oct 24)
Oregon Road Trip and Iowa at Home
Late October and early November mix a difficult West Coast game with a home test.
- Oregon on the road (Oct 31)
- Iowa at home (Nov 7)
Closing Road Stretch and Rivalry Finale
November finishes with consecutive road games before a home rivalry closer.
- Ohio State on the road (Nov 14)
- Minnesota on the road (Nov 21)
- Illinois at home (Nov 28)
Northwestern Football Home Games 2026
Northwestern has seven home games in 2026:
- South Dakota State
- Colorado
- Penn State
- Ball State (Homecoming)
- Rutgers
- Iowa
- Illinois
The dates against Penn State, Iowa and Illinois stand out as the highest-profile opportunities at home.
The 2026 Northwestern Football Schedule features a strong early run, a signature win over Penn State, and a challenging late stretch. How the Wildcats handle the road trips to Oregon and Ohio State, the home date with Iowa, and the final rivalry game against Illinois will shape the entire season.
FAQ
When does Northwestern play its first game on the 2026 schedule?
Northwestern Football Schedule 2026 opened at home against South Dakota State on Saturday, September 5, at NW Medicine at Martin Stadium.
When is Northwestern vs Illinois 2026?
Northwestern vs Illinois 2026 is set for Saturday, November 28, at home at Ryan Field in Evanston.
How many home games does Northwestern play in 2026?
Northwestern has seven Northwestern football home games in 2026: South Dakota State, Colorado, Penn State, Ball State, Rutgers, Iowa and Illinois.
What is Northwestern’s toughest stretch on the 2026 schedule?
The upcoming run of Oregon (road), Iowa, Ohio State and Minnesota ranks as the toughest remaining stretch on the Northwestern Big Ten schedule 2026.
