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 | vs Southeast Missouri RedhawksJack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA | 1:00 PM ETESPN+ | Win 38-10 | |
| Saturday | at Iowa HawkeyesKinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA | 7:30 PM ETNBC/Peacock | Loss 16-13 | |
| Saturday | vs Bowling Green FalconsJack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA | 12:00 PM ETESPNU | Win 55-7 | |
| Saturday | vs Utah UtesJack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA | 3:30 PM ETFOX | Loss 31-17 | |
| Saturday | vs West Virginia MountaineersJack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA | 12:00 PM ETTNT | Win 45-42 | |
| Friday | at BYU CougarsLaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT | 10:15 PM ETESPN | Loss 24-10 | |
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | at Arizona WildcatsCasino Del Sol Stadium, Tucson, AZ | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Oklahoma State CowboysJack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Baylor BearsMcLane Stadium, Waco, TX | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Cincinnati BearcatsJack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Friday | at UCF KnightsAcrisure Bounce House, Orlando, FL | 6:00 PM ETFS1 | ||
| Saturday | vs Kansas State WildcatsJack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Friday | vs Big 12 ChampionshipAT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX | 8:00 PM ETABC |
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Cy-Hawk Rivalry and Early Home Dates
Southeast Missouri at home, Iowa State vs Iowa 2026, Bowling Green and Utah at home
- Southeast Missouri at Jack Trice Stadium
- Iowa on a Saturday night
- Bowling Green at home
- Utah at home
The Iowa State Football Schedule opens against Southeast Missouri before the season’s first true test at Kinnick Stadium for the Cy-Hawk Series.
Homecoming and Late-Night Road Trip
West Virginia for Homecoming, BYU under the lights
- West Virginia at home
- BYU at 10:15 p.m. ET
- Bye week
West Virginia visits for Homecoming. The Iowa State Football Schedule then sends the Cyclones to BYU for a Friday night kickoff.
Arizona Road and Mid-Season Home Stretch
Arizona away, Oklahoma State at home, Baylor away, Cincinnati at home
- Arizona on the road
- Oklahoma State at home
- Baylor on the road
- Cincinnati at home
A road trip to Arizona opens the back half of October. The Iowa State Big 12 schedule 2026 then sends the Cyclones to Baylor before Cincinnati returns them home.
Friday Night in Orlando and Home Finale
UCF away, Kansas State at home
- UCF on a Friday night
- Kansas State at home
A Friday night road trip to UCF closes the toughest travel stretch before Kansas State visits Ames.
Iowa State Football Home Games 2026
Seven home dates at Jack Trice Stadium:
- Southeast Missouri
- Bowling Green
- Utah
- West Virginia
- Oklahoma State
- Cincinnati
- Kansas State
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.
