Three early wins. A Homecoming loss to Wisconsin. And consecutive defeats against Northwestern and USC already on the ledger. The 2026 Penn State Football Schedule has mixed a strong non-conference start with a difficult Big Ten stretch and now turns toward a road trip to Michigan, a late home stand, and a closing game at Maryland. Penn State Nittany Lions football sits at 3-3 and faces a critical second half of the season. Here is the complete 2026 Penn State Football Schedule with dates, locations, times and television information.
2026 Penn State Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | vs Marshall Thundering HerdBeaver Stadium, University Park, PA | 3:30 PM ETFS1 | Win 45-0 | |
| Saturday | at Temple OwlsLincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA | 12:00 PM ETESPN2 | Win 27-9 | |
| Saturday | vs Buffalo BullsBeaver Stadium, University Park, PA | 12:00 PM ETBTN | Win 55-13 | |
| Saturday | vs Wisconsin BadgersBeaver Stadium, University Park, PA | 5:00 PM ETPeacock | Loss 24-20 | |
| Friday | at Northwestern WildcatsRyan Field, Evanston, IL | 8:00 PM ETFOX | Loss 34-13 | |
| Saturday | vs USC TrojansBeaver Stadium, University Park, PA | 7:30 PM ETNBC/Peacock | Loss 31-23 | |
| Saturday | at Michigan WolverinesMichigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | vs Purdue BoilermakersBeaver Stadium, University Park, PA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Washington HuskiesHusky Stadium, Seattle, WA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Minnesota Golden GophersBeaver Stadium, University Park, PA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Rutgers Scarlet KnightsBeaver Stadium, University Park, PA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Maryland TerrapinsSECU Stadium, College Park, MD | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Big Ten ChampionshipLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | 8:00 PM ETFOX |
Last updated
Strong Non-Conference Start
Penn State Nittany Lions Football Schedule 2026 opened with three straight wins.
- Marshall at home (Sept 5)
- Temple on the road (Sept 12)
- Buffalo at home (Sept 19)
Homecoming Loss and Consecutive Defeats
September and October brought three straight losses.
- Wisconsin at home for Homecoming (Sept 26)
- Northwestern on the road (Oct 2)
- USC at home (Oct 10)
Road to Michigan and a Bye Week
A major road test precedes the second bye of the season.
- Michigan on the road (Oct 17)
- Bye week (Oct 24)
Purdue at Home and a West Coast Road Trip
Late October and early November mix a home opportunity with a long road game.
- Purdue at home (Oct 31)
- Washington on the road (Nov 7)
Final Home Stand and Closing Road Game
November finishes with two home dates and a short road trip.
- Minnesota at home (Nov 14)
- Rutgers at home (Nov 21)
- Maryland on the road (Nov 28)
Penn State Football Home Games 2026
Penn State has seven home games at Beaver Stadium in 2026:
- Marshall
- Buffalo
- Wisconsin (Homecoming)
- USC
- Purdue
- Minnesota
- Rutgers
The dates against Wisconsin, USC and Minnesota stand out as the highest-profile opportunities at home.
The 2026 Penn State Football Schedule features a strong early start, a tough mid-season stretch, and important late home tests. How the Nittany Lions handle the road trip to Michigan, the home dates against Purdue and Minnesota, and the closing game at Maryland will shape the entire season.
FAQ
When does Penn State play its first game on the 2026 schedule?
Penn State Football Schedule 2026 opened at home against Marshall on Saturday, September 5, at Beaver Stadium.
When is Penn State vs Michigan 2026?
Penn State vs Michigan 2026 is set for Saturday, October 17, on the road at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.
How many home games does Penn State play in 2026?
Penn State has seven Penn State football home games in 2026 at Beaver Stadium: Marshall, Buffalo, Wisconsin, USC, Purdue, Minnesota and Rutgers.
What is Penn State’s toughest stretch on the 2026 schedule?
The consecutive losses to Wisconsin, Northwestern and USC, combined with the upcoming road trip to Michigan, rank as the toughest stretches on the Penn State Big Ten schedule 2026.
