Two early home wins. A road loss at Notre Dame. And a Homecoming overtime defeat already in the books. The 2026 Michigan State Football Schedule has mixed promising starts with a difficult stretch of Big Ten results and now turns toward a late run that includes the rivalry game at Michigan and home dates against Washington and Oregon. Michigan State Spartans football sits at 2-4 and faces a critical second half of the season. Here is the complete 2026 Michigan State Football Schedule with dates, locations, times and television information.
2026 Michigan State Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | vs Toledo RocketsSpartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI | 8:00 PM ETFS1 | Win 30-20 | |
| Saturday | vs Eastern Michigan EaglesSpartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI | 3:30 PM ETBTN | Win 35-7 | |
| Saturday | at Notre Dame Fighting IrishNotre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, IN | 7:30 PM ETNBC/Peacock | Loss 27-10 | |
| Saturday | vs Nebraska CornhuskersSpartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI | 5:00 PM ETBTN | Loss 31-13 | |
| Saturday | at Wisconsin BadgersCamp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI | 12:30 PM ETBTN | Loss 31-3 | |
| Saturday | vs Illinois Fighting IlliniSpartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI | 3:30 PM ETFS1 | Loss 38-37(OT) | |
| Saturday | vs Northwestern WildcatsSpartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at UCLA BruinsRose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | at Michigan WolverinesMichigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Washington HuskiesSpartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Friday | vs Oregon DucksSpartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI | 8:00 PM ETFOX | ||
| Saturday | at Rutgers Scarlet KnightsSHI Stadium, Piscataway, NJ | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Big Ten ChampionshipLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | 8:00 PM ETFOX |
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Early Home Wins and Notre Dame Road Trip
Michigan State Spartans Football Schedule 2026 opened with two home victories before a tough non-conference road test.
- Toledo at home (Sept 4)
- Eastern Michigan at home (Sept 12)
- Notre Dame on the road (Sept 19) — Battle for the Megaphone
Consecutive Losses and Homecoming
September and October brought four straight defeats, including a Homecoming overtime loss.
- Nebraska at home (Sept 26)
- Wisconsin on the road (Oct 3)
- Illinois at home for Homecoming (Oct 10)
Northwestern at Home and a West Coast Road Game
The schedule continues with a home opportunity and a long trip to California.
- Northwestern at home (Oct 17)
- UCLA on the road (Oct 24)
- Bye week (Oct 31)
Rivalry Road Trip and Late Home Stand
November features the in-state rivalry and two important home dates.
- Michigan on the road (Nov 7)
- Washington at home (Nov 14)
- Oregon at home (Nov 20)
Closing Road Game
The regular season ends with a short road trip.
- Rutgers on the road (Nov 28)
Michigan State Football Home Games 2026
Michigan State has seven home games at Spartan Stadium in 2026:
- Toledo
- Eastern Michigan
- Nebraska
- Illinois (Homecoming)
- Northwestern
- Washington
- Oregon
The dates against Illinois, Washington and Oregon stand out as the highest-profile opportunities at home.
The 2026 Michigan State Football Schedule features an early non-conference start, a difficult mid-season stretch, and key late home tests. How the Spartans handle the road trip to Michigan, the home dates against Washington and Oregon, and the closing game at Rutgers will shape the entire season.
FAQ
When does Michigan State play its first game on the 2026 schedule?
Michigan State Football Schedule 2026 opened at home against Toledo on Friday, September 4, at Spartan Stadium.
When is Michigan State vs Michigan 2026?
Michigan State vs Michigan 2026 is set for Saturday, November 7, on the road at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.
How many home games does Michigan State play in 2026?
Michigan State has seven Michigan State football home games in 2026 at Spartan Stadium: Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Nebraska, Illinois, Northwestern, Washington and Oregon.
What is Michigan State’s toughest stretch on the 2026 schedule?
The consecutive losses from Notre Dame through Illinois, combined with the upcoming road trip to Michigan and home date against Oregon, rank as the toughest stretches on the Michigan State Big Ten schedule 2026.
