The 2026 Purdue Boilermakers football schedule features 12 games beginning Saturday, September 5, 2026, against Indiana State at Ross-Ade Stadium. The schedule includes 7 home games, 5 road games, 9 Big Ten Conference matchups, and a bye week on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
Head coach Barry Odom enters his second season after a 2-10 debut in 2025. The Boilermakers added 32 transfer portal players and 20 high school recruits (53 total newcomers) to address roster deficiencies from the 2025 campaign that produced a 0-9 Big Ten Conference record.
Table of Contents
2026 Purdue Football Schedule: All Games & Opponents
| Date | Opponent | Location | Game Type | Trophy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, September 5, 2026 | Indiana State | West Lafayette, IN | Non-Conference | — |
| Saturday, September 12, 2026 | Wake Forest | West Lafayette, IN | Non-Conference | — |
| Saturday, September 19, 2026 | at UCLA | Pasadena, CA | Big Ten Conference | — |
| Saturday, September 26, 2026 | Notre Dame | West Lafayette, IN | Non-Conference | Shillelagh Trophy |
| Saturday, October 3, 2026 | at Illinois | Champaign, IL | Big Ten Conference | Cannon Trophy |
| Saturday, October 10, 2026 | Minnesota | West Lafayette, IN | Big Ten Conference | — |
| Saturday, October 17, 2026 | Washington | West Lafayette, IN | Big Ten Conference | — |
| Saturday, October 24, 2026 | BYE WEEK | — | — | — |
| Saturday, October 31, 2026 | at Penn State | University Park, PA | Big Ten Conference | — |
| Saturday, November 7, 2026 | Maryland | West Lafayette, IN | Big Ten Conference | Homecoming 2026 |
| Saturday, November 14, 2026 | at Iowa | Iowa City, IA | Big Ten Conference | — |
| Saturday, November 21, 2026 | Wisconsin | West Lafayette, IN | Big Ten Conference | — |
| Saturday, November 28, 2026 | at Indiana | Bloomington, IN | Big Ten Conference | Old Oaken Bucket |
The schedule includes 7 home games at Ross-Ade Stadium (61,441 capacity) and 5 road games. The Boilermakers play 5 home games within their first 7 contests, creating a favorable early-season opportunity to establish momentum.
Purdue Football Home Games 2026
Ross-Ade Stadium hosts 7 home games during the 2026 season:
- Saturday, September 5, 2026: Indiana State (Season Opener)
- Saturday, September 12, 2026: Wake Forest (First meeting at Ross-Ade since 2002)
- Saturday, September 26, 2026: Notre Dame (Shillelagh Trophy Game)
- Saturday, October 10, 2026: Minnesota
- Saturday, October 17, 2026: Washington (Ryan Walters’ return game)
- Saturday, November 7, 2026: Maryland (Homecoming 2026)
- Saturday, November 21, 2026: Wisconsin (Final regular season home game)
The home schedule concentrates on 5 games before the October 24 bye week. This front-loaded approach provides recruiting advantages and revenue opportunities during optimal early-fall weather conditions in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Ross-Ade Stadium Capacity & Amenities
Ross-Ade Stadium operates at 61,441 capacity following Phase 1 renovations completed in 2023. The $45.4 million Phase 1 project added 4,500 seats, premium seating areas, and modernized fan amenities.
Phase 2 renovations remain paused as of January 2026 due to financial priorities redirected toward NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) compensation and revenue-sharing requirements. The 2026 season proceeds without construction disruptions.
Ross-Ade Stadium features a Sensory Inclusive program partnership with KultureCity, providing accommodations for fans with sensory processing needs.
Purdue Football Road Games 2026
The Boilermakers travel for 5 away games during the 2026 campaign:
| Date | Opponent | Location | Distance from West Lafayette |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, September 19, 2026 | UCLA | Pasadena, CA | 2,000+ miles |
| Saturday, October 3, 2026 | Illinois | Champaign, IL | 115 miles |
| Saturday, October 31, 2026 | Penn State | University Park, PA | 520 miles |
| Saturday, November 14, 2026 | Iowa | Iowa City, IA | 285 miles |
| Saturday, November 28, 2026 | Indiana | Bloomington, IN | 125 miles |
The Saturday, September 19, 2026, trip to UCLA represents the longest road journey, covering over 2,000 miles to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. This marks Purdue’s first appearance at the Rose Bowl since 1979.
The Saturday, October 31, 2026 game at Penn State occurs on Halloween night at Beaver Stadium (106,572 capacity), creating a challenging road environment for the Big Ten Conference opener following the bye week.
Key Rivalry Games on the Purdue Football Schedule
Old Oaken Bucket: Purdue at Indiana (Saturday, November 28, 2026)
The Old Oaken Bucket trophy game concludes the 2026 regular season on Saturday, November 28, 2026, in Bloomington, Indiana. This rivalry dates to 1925, with Indiana holding a 77-42-6 all-time series advantage.
Purdue won 5 of 8 meetings from 2018-2025, including victories in 2021 (44-7), 2022 (30-16), and 2024. The 2026 game carries heightened significance as Indiana enters as the 2025 national champion, creating a potential program-defining opportunity for Barry Odom’s rebuilding Boilermakers.
The Big Ten Conference preserved this annual matchup despite 2024 conference realignment to 18 teams, maintaining the 100-year tradition through protected rivalry scheduling.
Shillelagh Trophy: Purdue vs Notre Dame (Saturday, September 26, 2026)
The Shillelagh Trophy game occurs Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue leads the all-time series 59-26-2 against Notre Dame, though the Fighting Irish won 56-30 in 2025.
This rivalry began in 1896 and features the Shillelagh Trophy (awarded since 1957). The 2026 contest represents the marquee non-conference game on Purdue’s schedule, drawing significant regional and national television audiences.
The rivalry continues through 2029 under current scheduling agreements, preserving a historic Midwest football tradition despite Notre Dame’s independent status and Big Ten realignment complexities.
Cannon Trophy: Purdue at Illinois (Saturday, October 3, 2026)
The Cannon Trophy game takes place Saturday, October 3, 2026, in Champaign, Illinois. This rivalry began in 1890, making it one of college football’s oldest continuous series.
The Cannon Trophy (introduced in 2008) replaced the Purdue Cannon trophy that dated to 1943. Illinois holds a 47-47-6 all-time series record against Purdue, creating genuine competitive balance in this Big Ten West division rivalry.
Barry Odom’s Second Season: Roster Rebuild & Expectations
Barry Odom became Purdue’s 38th head coach in December 2024 after the firing of Ryan Walters (5-19 record over 2 seasons). Odom’s 2025 debut produced a 2-10 record (0-9 Big Ten), representing Purdue’s worst season since 2003.
Transfer Portal Additions for 2026
The Boilermakers added 32 transfer portal players for the 2026 season, addressing critical roster deficiencies:
Offensive Line Reinforcements: Purdue allowed 50+ sacks in 2025, necessitating multiple transfer offensive linemen, including Nuku Mafi from Oklahoma State.
Running Back Depth: Fame Ijeboi transferred from Minnesota to stabilize the running game after 2025 production failures.
Quarterback Competition: Ryan Browne returns as the established QB1 for 2026 after leading the “#OnAMission2026” social media campaign, where 21 key players simultaneously announced their return.
The transfer portal class ranked 22nd nationally, combining with 20 high school signees (53 total newcomers) to reshape the roster composition.
Coaching Staff Changes
Kevin Kane rejoined as Defensive Coordinator after serving in the same role at Minnesota. Kane previously worked at Purdue under different staff configurations, bringing familiarity with program culture and Big Ten Conference offensive schemes.
Josh Henson continues as Offensive Coordinator, tasked with implementing Odom’s offensive philosophy while maximizing returning quarterback Ryan Browne’s capabilities.
The Saturday, October 17, 2026, game against Washington creates a unique storyline as former Purdue head coach Ryan Walters returns to Ross-Ade Stadium in his new role as Washington’s Defensive Coordinator. This represents Walters’ first appearance in West Lafayette since his December 2024 firing.
Big Ten Conference Schedule Analysis
The 9-game Big Ten Conference schedule begins with a challenging road opener Saturday, September 19, 2026, at UCLA in Pasadena, California. The expanded 18-team Big Ten Conference (added USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington in 2024) creates unprecedented travel demands and competitive challenges.
Conference Home Games (5 total)
- Saturday, October 10, 2026: Minnesota
- Saturday, October 17, 2026: Washington
- Saturday, November 7, 2026: Maryland (Homecoming)
- Saturday, November 21, 2026: Wisconsin
- Conference road finale: at Indiana (Saturday, November 28, 2026)
Conference Road Games (4 total)
- Saturday, September 19, 2026: at UCLA (Conference opener)
- Saturday, October 3, 2026: at Illinois
- Saturday, October 31, 2026: at Penn State
- Saturday, November 14, 2026: at Iowa
The conference schedule provides a mid-season bye week (Saturday, October 24, 2026) positioned between the Washington home game and the Halloween night trip to Penn State. This bye week offers critical preparation time for the challenging 3-game road stretch (Penn State, Iowa, Indiana) that concludes the regular season.
Non-Conference Schedule Breakdown
Purdue plays 3 non-conference games in 2026:
Saturday, September 5, 2026: Indiana State (Home)
The season opener against Indiana State marks the third meeting in 6 years between these programs. Indiana State competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (FCS subdivision), providing a manageable opponent for Purdue’s season debut at Ross-Ade Stadium.
Saturday, September 12, 2026: Wake Forest (Home)
The Wake Forest game represents the first meeting at Ross-Ade Stadium since 2002. Wake Forest competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference, offering a power conference opponent without the intensity of rivalry games.
This early-season home game provides an opportunity to build confidence before the challenging UCLA road trip on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
Saturday, September 26, 2026: Notre Dame (Home)
The Notre Dame rivalry game (detailed in the rivalry section above) serves as the final non-conference contest and the marquee home game of September 2026.
Purdue Football Schedule TV & Streaming Information
Kickoff times and television broadcast assignments remain unannounced as of February 2026. The Big Ten Conference typically releases complete television schedules in March or April 2026.
Expected Broadcast Partners
Big Ten Network: Primary carrier for Purdue football games, particularly early-season non-conference contests and mid-tier conference matchups.
ESPN Networks: ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU carry select Big Ten Conference games based on competitive significance and national rankings.
ABC: Potential carrier for the Saturday, September 26, 2026 Notre Dame game due to rivalry history and national audience appeal.
FOX and FS1: Big Ten media rights partners that broadcast high-profile conference games, particularly in afternoon time slots.
Fans can monitor official announcements at purduesports.com and Big Ten Conference media channels for updated broadcast information starting in March 2026.
Historical Context: Purdue’s Recent Performance
The 2026 season occurs in the context of consecutive losing seasons (2024: 1-11 under Ryan Walters; 2025: 2-10 under Barry Odom). This marks the first back-to-back losing seasons for Purdue football since 2013-2014.
Program Crisis Indicators from 2025
- 0-9 Big Ten Conference record (126th nationally in total defense)
- 50+ sacks allowed (offensive line deficiencies)
- 30+ points per game allowed (defensive breakdowns)
- Catastrophic turnover margin (addressed through 32 transfer portal additions)
The 2025 season represented Purdue’s worst performance since 2003, creating urgency for roster reconstruction and coaching staff alignment under Odom’s leadership.
Barry Odom’s Coaching Track Record
Odom’s career record entering 2026: 54-45 across head coaching stops at Missouri (2016-2019) and UNLV (2023-2024). His rebuilding success at UNLV (9-4 in 2024) provided the foundation for Purdue’s hiring decision.
Odom specializes in defensive restructuring, having coordinated defenses at multiple FBS programs before becoming a head coach. His second season at Purdue represents a critical evaluation period for the rebuild trajectory.
Homecoming 2026: Saturday, November 7 vs Maryland
Purdue’s 2026 Homecoming occurs Saturday, November 7, 2026, when the Boilermakers host Maryland at Ross-Ade Stadium. This Big Ten Conference matchup typically attracts significant alumni attendance and community engagement.
The Maryland game follows the bye week and the challenging road trip to Penn State, positioning Homecoming as a potential momentum opportunity in the late-season schedule.
Ticket Information & Season Ticket Packages
Single-game tickets for the 2026 Purdue football season typically go on sale in June or July 2026 through the Purdue Athletics ticket office at purduesports.com.
Season ticket packages for 2026 provide access to all 7 home games at Ross-Ade Stadium, with priority seating options for premium sections added during Phase 1 renovations.
Student tickets are available through Purdue University’s student ticket distribution system, offering discounted access to the student section at Ross-Ade Stadium.
High-demand games (Notre Dame on Saturday, September 26, 2026; Homecoming vs Maryland on Saturday, November 7, 2026) typically sell quickly, requiring early ticket purchases.
Drew Brees Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction 2026
Drew Brees will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026, becoming the fifth Purdue Boilermaker to receive this honor. Brees played quarterback at Purdue from 1997-2000, setting numerous school records before a legendary NFL career with the San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints.
The Hall of Fame induction adds prestige to the 2026 Purdue football season, connecting current roster rebuilding efforts to the program’s historic quarterback legacy.
Previous Purdue Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees include Len Dawson (1987), Rod Woodson (2009), Bob Griese (1990), and Leroy Keyes (posthumous 2019 finalist consideration ongoing).
2026 Schedule Strength Analysis
The 2026 Purdue football schedule presents significant challenges:
Toughest Stretch: The 3-game road sequence (at Penn State on Saturday, October 31; at Iowa on Saturday, November 14; at Indiana on Saturday, November 28) creates the season’s most demanding gauntlet.
Favorable Opening: The 5 home games in the first 7 weeks (including Indiana State, Wake Forest, Notre Dame) provide opportunities to build early-season momentum and confidence.
West Coast Challenge: The Saturday, September 19, 2026, trip to UCLA involves over 2,000 miles of travel and potential jet lag complications for a Big Ten Conference opener.
Rivalry Pressure: Playing the defending national champion (Indiana) in the season finale creates a high-stakes environment regardless of both teams’ 2026 records.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Purdue Football Schedule
When doesthe Purdue football season start in 2026?
The 2026 Purdue football season begins Saturday, September 5, 2026, against Indiana State at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. Kickoff time remains unannounced as of February 2026.
How many home games does Purdue play in 2026?
Purdue plays 7 home games at Ross-Ade Stadium during the 2026 season, with 5 road games and 1 bye week completing the 12-game regular season schedule.
What channel shows Purdue football games in 2026?
Big Ten Network, ESPN networks, ABC, FOX, and FS1 serve as potential broadcast partners for 2026 Purdue football games. Specific channel assignments will be released in March or April 2026.
When is the Purdue vs Indiana game in 2026?
The Old Oaken Bucket rivalry game occurs Saturday, November 28, 2026, in Bloomington, Indiana, concluding Purdue’s regular season.
Does Purdue play Notre Dame in 2026?
Yes. Purdue hosts Notre Dame on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium for the Shillelagh Trophy. This represents the marquee non-conference game on Purdue’s 2026 schedule.
What is Ross-Ade Stadium’s capacity for 2026?
Ross-Ade Stadium capacity stands at 61,441 following Phase 1 renovations completed in 2023. Phase 2 renovations remain paused due to NIL financial priorities.
Who is Purdue’s head football coach in 2026?
Barry Odom serves as Purdue’s head football coach in 2026, entering his second season after a 2-10 debut in 2025. Odom replaced Ryan Walters, who was fired after a 5-19 record over 2 seasons.
When is Purdue’s bye week in 2026?
Purdue’s bye week occurs Saturday, October 24, 2026, positioned between the Washington home game (Saturday, October 17) and the Penn State road game (Saturday, October 31).
How many Big Ten Conference games does Purdue play in 2026?
Purdue plays 9 Big Ten Conference games in 2026 under the expanded 18-team conference format: 5 conference home games and 4 conference road games.
When is Purdue Homecoming 2026?
Purdue Homecoming 2026 occurs Saturday, November 7, 2026, when the Boilermakers host Maryland at Ross-Ade Stadium in a Big Ten Conference matchup.
