A solid home opener. A double-overtime heartbreaker against Wake Forest. And a road win at Illinois already secured. The 2026 Purdue Football Schedule has mixed early promise with tough results and now turns toward a home date with Washington, Homecoming against Maryland, and the Old Oaken Bucket rivalry finale at Indiana. Purdue Boilermakers football sits at 3-3 and faces a critical second half of the Big Ten season. Here is the complete 2026 Purdue Football Schedule with dates, locations, times and television information.
2026 Purdue Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | vs Indiana State SycamoresRoss-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN | 7:00 PM ETBTN | Win 44-19 | |
| Saturday | vs Wake Forest Demon DeaconsRoss-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN | 12:00 PM ETFS1 | Loss 38-36(2OT) | |
| Saturday | at UCLA BruinsRose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA | 11:00 PM ETBTN | Loss 52-38 | |
| Saturday | vs Notre Dame Fighting IrishRoss-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN | 2:00 PM ETPeacock | Loss 49-10 | |
| Saturday | at Illinois Fighting IlliniGies Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL | 4:15 PM ETBTN | Win 24-17 | |
| Saturday | vs Minnesota Golden GophersRoss-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN | 8:00 PM ETBTN | Win 41-13 | |
| Friday | vs Washington HuskiesRoss-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN | 8:00 PM ETFOX | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | at Penn State Nittany LionsBeaver Stadium, University Park, PA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Maryland TerrapinsRoss-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN | Time TBA ETTV TBA | Homecoming | |
| Saturday | at Iowa HawkeyesKinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Wisconsin BadgersRoss-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Indiana HoosiersMemorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN | Time TBA ETTV TBA | Old Oaken Bucket Game | |
| Saturday | vs Big Ten ChampionshipLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | 8:00 PM ETFOX |
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Early Results and a Road Win
Purdue Boilermakers Football Schedule 2026 opened with mixed outcomes before a key conference victory.
- Indiana State at home (Sept 4)
- Wake Forest at home (Sept 12)
- UCLA on the road (Sept 19)
- Notre Dame at home (Sept 26) — Shillelagh Trophy Game
- Illinois on the road (Oct 3)
Home Win Over Minnesota
A comfortable victory followed the Illinois result.
- Minnesota at home (Oct 10)
Washington at Home and a Bye Week
A high-profile home date precedes the second bye of the season.
- Washington at home (Oct 16)
- Bye week (Oct 24)
Road to Penn State and Homecoming
Late October and early November bring a tough road game and a Homecoming opportunity.
- Penn State on the road (Oct 31)
- Maryland at home for Homecoming (Nov 7)
Iowa Road Trip and Closing Stretch
November finishes with a road game, one more home date, and the rivalry finale.
- Iowa on the road (Nov 14)
- Wisconsin at home (Nov 21)
- Indiana on the road (Nov 28) — Old Oaken Bucket Game
Purdue Football Home Games 2026
Purdue has seven home games at Ross-Ade Stadium in 2026:
- Indiana State
- Wake Forest
- Notre Dame
- Minnesota
- Washington
- Maryland (Homecoming)
- Wisconsin
The dates against Notre Dame, Washington and Wisconsin stand out as the highest-profile opportunities at home.
The 2026 Purdue Football Schedule features an early non-conference mix, a key road win, and a challenging late stretch. How the Boilermakers handle the home date with Washington, Homecoming against Maryland, and the Old Oaken Bucket Game at Indiana will shape the entire season.
FAQ
When does Purdue play its first game on the 2026 schedule?
Purdue Football Schedule 2026 opened at home against Indiana State on Friday, September 4, at Ross-Ade Stadium.
When is Purdue vs Indiana 2026?
Purdue vs Indiana 2026 is set for Saturday, November 28, on the road at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, as the Old Oaken Bucket Game.
How many home games does Purdue play in 2026?
Purdue has seven Purdue football home games in 2026 at Ross-Ade Stadium: Indiana State, Wake Forest, Notre Dame, Minnesota, Washington, Maryland and Wisconsin.
What is Purdue’s toughest stretch on the 2026 schedule?
The upcoming run of Washington, Penn State, Maryland, Iowa, Wisconsin and Indiana ranks as the toughest remaining stretch on the Purdue Big Ten schedule 2026.
