A dominant home opener. A road win at Washington. And a signature home victory over Michigan already secured. The 2026 Minnesota Football Schedule has delivered early highlights and now turns toward Homecoming against Iowa, a pair of challenging road tests, and a late rivalry trip to Wisconsin. Minnesota Golden Gophers football sits at 4-2 and faces a critical stretch of Big Ten play. Here is the complete 2026 Minnesota Football Schedule with dates, locations, times and television information.
2026 Minnesota Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | vs Eastern Illinois PanthersHuntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | 8:00 PM ETNBCSN/Peacock | Win 59-7 | |
| Saturday | vs Mississippi State BulldogsHuntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | 3:30 PM ETCBS/Paramount+ | Loss 38-13 | |
| Saturday | vs Akron ZipsHuntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | 12:00 PM ETBTN | Win 41-7 | |
| Saturday | at Washington HuskiesHusky Stadium, Seattle, WA | 11:00 PM ETFOX | Win 27-24 | |
| Saturday | vs Michigan WolverinesHuntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | 12:00 PM ETFOX | Win 20-14 | |
| Saturday | at Purdue BoilermakersRoss-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN | 8:00 PM ETBTN | Loss 41-13 | |
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | vs Iowa HawkeyesHuntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | 3:00–8:00 PM ETTV TBA | Homecoming | |
| Saturday | at Indiana HoosiersMemorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs UCLA BruinsHuntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Penn State Nittany LionsBeaver Stadium, University Park, PA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Northwestern WildcatsHuntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Friday | at Wisconsin BadgersCamp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI | 7:30 PM ETNBC/Peacock | ||
| Saturday | vs Big Ten ChampionshipLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | 8:00 PM ETFOX |
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Early Wins and a Signature Victory
Minnesota Golden Gophers Football Schedule 2026 opened with mixed results before a pair of strong performances.
- Eastern Illinois at home (Sept 3)
- Mississippi State at home (Sept 12)
- Akron at home (Sept 19)
- Washington on the road (Sept 26)
- Michigan at home (Oct 3)
Road Setback and a Bye Week
A difficult road loss preceded the second bye of the season.
- Purdue on the road (Oct 10)
- Bye week (Oct 17)
Homecoming Against Iowa
The schedule resumes with a major Homecoming matchup.
- Iowa at home for Homecoming (Oct 24)
Indiana Road Trip and UCLA at Home
Late October and early November bring a road game and a high-profile home date.
- Indiana on the road (Oct 31)
- UCLA at home (Nov 7)
Penn State Road Test and Closing Stretch
November finishes with a tough road game, one more home date, and a rivalry closer.
- Penn State on the road (Nov 14)
- Northwestern at home (Nov 21)
- Wisconsin on the road (Nov 27)
Minnesota Football Home Games 2026
Minnesota has seven home games at Huntington Bank Stadium in 2026:
- Eastern Illinois
- Mississippi State
- Akron
- Michigan
- Iowa (Homecoming)
- UCLA
- Northwestern
The dates against Michigan, Iowa and UCLA stand out as the highest-profile opportunities at home.
The 2026 Minnesota Football Schedule features a signature win over Michigan, a key Homecoming date, and a challenging late stretch. How the Golden Gophers handle Homecoming against Iowa, the road trips to Indiana and Penn State, and the final rivalry game at Wisconsin will shape the entire season.
FAQ
When does Minnesota play its first game on the 2026 schedule?
Minnesota Football Schedule 2026 opened at home against Eastern Illinois on Thursday, September 3, at Huntington Bank Stadium.
When is Minnesota vs Iowa 2026?
Minnesota vs Iowa 2026 is set for Saturday, October 24, at home at Huntington Bank Stadium, doubling as Homecoming.
How many home games does Minnesota play in 2026?
Minnesota has seven Minnesota football home games in 2026 at Huntington Bank Stadium: Eastern Illinois, Mississippi State, Akron, Michigan, Iowa, UCLA and Northwestern.
What is Minnesota’s toughest stretch on the 2026 schedule?
The upcoming run of Iowa (Homecoming), Indiana, UCLA, Penn State and Wisconsin ranks as the toughest remaining stretch on the Minnesota Big Ten schedule 2026.
