The 2026 Northwestern Wildcats football schedule features 12 games across two stadiums, with the first two home contests at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium before the historic October 2, 2026, grand opening of the new Ryan Field against Penn State.
Head coach David Braun enters his third full season leading a program that finished 7-6 in 2025 with a bowl victory.
Table of Contents
2026 Northwestern Wildcats Football Schedule: Full Game List
The Northwestern football schedule for 2026 includes nine Big Ten Conference games and three non-conference matchups. The season begins Saturday, September 5, 2026, against South Dakota State at the temporary lakefront venue.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Venue | Conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, September 5, 2026 | South Dakota State | Evanston, Illinois | Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium | Non-conference |
| Saturday, September 19, 2026 | Colorado | Evanston, Illinois | Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium | Non-conference |
| Saturday, September 26, 2026 | at Indiana | Bloomington, Indiana | Memorial Stadium | Big Ten |
| Friday, October 2, 2026 | Penn State | Evanston, Illinois | Ryan Field | Big Ten |
| Saturday, October 10, 2026 | Ball State | Evanston, Illinois | Ryan Field | Non-conference |
| Saturday, October 17, 2026 | at Michigan State | East Lansing, Michigan | Spartan Stadium | Big Ten |
| Saturday, October 24, 2026 | Rutgers | Evanston, Illinois | Ryan Field | Big Ten |
| Saturday, October 31, 2026 | at Oregon | Eugene, Oregon | Autzen Stadium | Big Ten |
| Saturday, November 7, 2026 | Iowa | Evanston, Illinois | Ryan Field | Big Ten |
| Saturday, November 14, 2026 | at Ohio State | Columbus, Ohio | Ohio Stadium | Big Ten |
| Saturday, November 21, 2026 | at Minnesota | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Huntington Bank Stadium | Big Ten |
| Saturday, November 28, 2026 | Illinois | Evanston, Illinois | Ryan Field | Big Ten |
Northwestern Home Games 2026
Northwestern plays seven home games in 2026, split between two venues. The Wildcats host South Dakota State and Colorado at the temporary Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium along Lake Michigan. The remaining five home contests occur at the new Ryan Field, starting with the Penn State game.
The new Ryan Field holds 35,000 seats, making it the smallest stadium in the Power Four conferences. The $862 million privately funded facility replaces the demolished original Ryan Field that served the program from 1926 through 2023.
Northwestern Away Games 2026
The Wildcats face five road contests in Big Ten Conference play. Northwestern travels to defending national champion Indiana on Saturday, September 26, 2026, for the conference opener. The schedule includes trips to Michigan State, Oregon, Ohio State, and Minnesota.
The road game at Oregon on Saturday, October 31, 2026, represents Northwestern’s first visit to Autzen Stadium since the Big Ten expanded to 18 teams. The November stretch features consecutive away games at Ohio State and Minnesota before the season finale at home.
New Ryan Field Opening: October 2, 2026 vs Penn State
The new Ryan Field debuts Friday, October 2, 2026, when Northwestern hosts Penn State in a Big Ten Conference game. This date marks exactly 100 years since the original Ryan Field opened on October 2, 1926.
Stadium Construction Timeline and Capacity
Northwestern demolished the original Ryan Field after the 2023 season. Construction began in June 2024 following demolition completion. The new facility features 35,000 permanent seats compared to 47,130 in the previous stadium.
The $862 million construction cost equals $24,600 per seat, the highest per-seat expense for any college football stadium. The venue includes premium seating options, LEED Gold certification for sustainability, and a canopy design that amplifies crowd noise despite reduced capacity.
Temporary Stadium: Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium
Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium serves as the temporary home venue for the first two 2026 home games. The lakefront facility holds 7,000 seats and previously hosted games during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
The Wildcats play South Dakota State on Saturday, September 5, 2026, and Colorado on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Martin Stadium. These games occur before Ryan Field construction is completed for the October 2 opening.
Big Ten Conference Schedule 2026: Northwestern’s Opponents
Northwestern faces nine Big Ten Conference opponents in 2026 under the 18-team alignment. The schedule includes five conference home games and four conference road games.
Home Conference Opponents
| Date | Opponent | Rivalry/Trophy |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, October 2, 2026 | Penn State | Ryan Field Grand Opening |
| Saturday, October 24, 2026 | Rutgers | — |
| Saturday, November 7, 2026 | Iowa | — |
| Saturday, November 28, 2026 | Illinois | Land of Lincoln Trophy |
Road Conference Opponents
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, September 26, 2026 | at Indiana | Memorial Stadium | Defending national champion |
| Saturday, October 17, 2026 | at Michigan State | Spartan Stadium | — |
| Saturday, October 31, 2026 | at Oregon | Autzen Stadium | First visit since Big Ten expansion |
| Saturday, November 14, 2026 | at Ohio State | Ohio Stadium | — |
| Saturday, November 21, 2026 | at Minnesota | Huntington Bank Stadium | — |
Northwestern vs Illinois 2026: Land of Lincoln Trophy Game
Northwestern faces Illinois on Saturday, November 28, 2026, in the season finale at Ryan Field. The game determines possession of the Land of Lincoln Trophy, awarded annually since 2009.
Illinois leads the all-time series 59-56-5 through the 2025 season. The Wildcats won five consecutive meetings from 2018 through 2022 before Illinois captured victories in 2023 at Wrigley Field in Chicago and 2024. Northwestern’s 2026 home finale provides an opportunity to reclaim the rivalry trophy.
Non-Conference Games: South Dakota State, Colorado, Ball State
Northwestern schedules three non-conference opponents in 2026. The Wildcats open the season against South Dakota State from the Missouri Valley Football Conference, face Colorado from the Big 12 Conference, and host Ball State from the Mid-American Conference.
Northwestern vs Colorado September 19, 2026
The Colorado Buffaloes visit Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on Saturday, September 19, 2026. This matchup represents the final game at the temporary lakefront venue before the Ryan Field opening.
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders brings national attention to games. The Buffaloes compete in the Big 12 Conference and provide a high-profile non-conference opponent for Northwestern.
Northwestern vs Ball State, October 10, 2026
Ball State travels to the new Ryan Field on Saturday, October 10, 2026, for Northwestern’s homecoming game. The Cardinals from the Mid-American Conference provide the Wildcats with a non-conference opponent eight days after the stadium debut against Penn State.
David Braun: Northwestern Head Coach in Year Three
David Braun enters his third full season as Northwestern’s head coach in 2026. The university elevated Braun from defensive coordinator in July 2023. He holds a 15-15 overall record through two seasons, including bowl victories in both years.
2025 Season Results and Momentum
Northwestern finished the 2025 season with a 7-6 record, including a bowl game victory over Central Michigan. The Wildcats started 0-3 before winning seven of their final 10 games to achieve bowl eligibility.
Key 2025 results included:
- 22-21 upset victory at Penn State on October 11, 2025
- 19-0 shutout of Purdue on October 18, 2025, at Martin Stadium
- 38-35 win over Minnesota on November 22, 2025
- 34-7 bowl victory over Central Michigan on December 26, 2025
2025 Statistical Leaders
| Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing | Caleb Komolafe | 190 attempts, 941 yards, 11 touchdowns |
| Passing | Preston Stone | 222 completions, 370 attempts, 2,400 yards, 17 touchdowns |
| Receiving | Griffin Wilde | 71 receptions, 880 yards, 8 touchdowns |
| Tackles | Robert Fitzgerald | 115 total tackles (70 solo, 45 assisted) |
| Sacks | Aidan Hubbard | 7.5 sacks, 10.0 tackles for loss |
2026 Roster Changes and Transfer Portal Additions
Northwestern added 16+ transfers through the portal to address roster needs after the 2025 season. Key additions include offensive lineman Arkel Anugwom from Alabama, running back Gavin Sawchuk from Oklahoma, and tight end Brenden Deasfernandes from Colorado.
The transfers target position groups that struggled in 2025:
- Offensive line depth to reduce sacks allowed (Stone was sacked 17 times in 2025)
- Running back consistency after Komolafe carried 190 times (42% of team rushing attempts)
- Red zone efficiency after converting only 45.8% of red zone trips into touchdowns in 2025
Northwestern Football TV Schedule 2026 and Broadcast Information
Kickoff times and television broadcast assignments for the 2026 Northwestern football schedule remain to be determined as of February 2026. The Big Ten Conference typically releases game times and TV networks in March or April.
Expected Broadcast Partners
Big Ten Conference games in 2026 air on:
- FOX (primary Saturday afternoon window)
- ABC/ESPN (Saturday and Friday night games)
- NBC (selected Saturday games)
- Big Ten Network (remaining conference matchups)
The Friday, October 2, 2026, Ryan Field grand opening against Penn State is likely to receive primetime television coverage on ABC, ESPN, or FOX due to the historic significance.
Northwestern Football Tickets 2026: Pricing and Availability
Season ticket packages for 2026 Northwestern football include seven home games across two venues. The first two games at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium and five games at the new Ryan Field use separate ticketing systems.
Northwestern Athletics has not announced specific ticket pricing for individual games or season packages as of February 2026. Fans can check nusports.com for official ticket sales information and stadium seating charts for both venues.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Northwestern Football Schedule 2026
When does Northwestern football play its first game in 2026?
Northwestern opens the 2026 season on Saturday, September 5, 2026, against South Dakota State at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston, Illinois.
When does the new Ryan Field open?
The new Ryan Field opens Friday, October 2, 2026, when Northwestern hosts Penn State. This date marks 100 years since the original stadium’s first game.
How many home games does Northwestern play in 2026?
Northwestern plays seven home games in 2026: two at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium and five at the new Ryan Field.
What is the capacity of the new Ryan Field?
The new Ryan Field holds 35,000 seats, making it the smallest stadium in the Power Four conferences.
Who does Northwestern play on the road in 2026?
Northwestern travels to Indiana, Michigan State, Oregon, Ohio State, and Minnesota for Big Ten Conference games.
When is the Northwestern vs Illinois game in 2026?
Northwestern faces Illinois on Saturday, November 28, 2026, at Ryan Field in the season finale for the Land of Lincoln Trophy.
What channel will Northwestern games be on in 2026?
Television broadcast assignments remain to be determined. Big Ten games typically air on FOX, ABC/ESPN, NBC, or the Big Ten Network.
Who is Northwestern’s head coach in 2026?
David Braun serves as head coach in his third full season, holding a 15-15 record through 2025 with bowl victories in both years.
Schedule information based on official Northwestern Athletics announcements as of February 10, 2026. Kickoff times and television assignments are subject to the Big Ten Conference’s determination.
