The 2026 Iowa football schedule opens at home against NIU on September 5 at 4:15 p.m. ET. The Iowa Hawkeyes face 12 regular-season games plus a potential Big Ten Championship appearance, with the Cy-Hawk Series, Battle for the Heartland, and The Heroes Game all on the slate.
Kinnick Stadium hosts seven home dates on the 2026 Iowa football schedule. The toughest stretch lands in early-to-mid October with a home date against #1 Ohio State followed by a road trip to #17 Washington.
2026 Iowa Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | NIU HuskiesKinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA | 4:15pm ETBTN | ||
| Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series | ||||
| Saturday | Iowa State CyclonesKinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA | 7:30pm ETNBC/Peacock | ||
| Saturday | Northern Iowa PanthersKinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA | 4:00pm ETFS1 | ||
| Saturday | at 16 Michigan WolverinesMichigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | 1 Ohio State BuckeyesKinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Friday | at 17 Washington HuskiesHusky Stadium, Seattle, WA | 9:00pm ETFOX or FS1 | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | at Minnesota Golden GophersHuntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | 3:00-8:00pm ETTV TBA | ||
| Battle for the Heartland | ||||
| Saturday | Wisconsin BadgersKinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Northwestern WildcatsRyan Field, Evanston, IL | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Purdue BoilermakersKinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Illinois Fighting IlliniGies Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| The Heroes Game | ||||
| Friday | Nebraska CornhuskersKinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA | 12:00pm ETCBS/Paramount+ | ||
| Saturday | vs Big Ten ChampionshipLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | 8:00pm ETFOX | ||
How the 2026 Iowa Football Schedule Sets Up
September opens with three home games and a ranked road test on the 2026 Iowa football schedule. NIU, the Cy-Hawk Series against Iowa State, and Northern Iowa at Kinnick Stadium, then a trip to #16 Michigan. That early stretch gives the Hawkeyes a strong home start before the toughest stretch of the season.
October brings #1 Ohio State at home, a Friday night road trip to #17 Washington, the bye week, a road game at Minnesota, and the Battle for the Heartland against Wisconsin at home. The ranked home date against Ohio State is the clearest mid-season measuring stick.
November features a road trip to Northwestern, Purdue at home, a road game at Illinois, and The Heroes Game against Nebraska at home. That final stretch will decide seeding for a possible Big Ten Championship appearance.
Home Games at Kinnick Stadium
Seven home dates appear on the 2026 Iowa football schedule:
- September 5 vs. NIU
- September 12 vs. Iowa State (Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series)
- September 19 vs. Northern Iowa
- October 3 vs. #1 Ohio State
- October 31 vs. Wisconsin (Battle for the Heartland)
- November 14 vs. Purdue
- November 27 vs. Nebraska (The Heroes Game)
The Ohio State, Wisconsin and Nebraska games will generate the strongest crowds in Iowa City.
The Games That Decide the Season
Three contests stand out on the 2026 Iowa football schedule.
The September 12 Cy-Hawk Series against Iowa State is the early rivalry measuring stick. The October 3 home game against #1 Ohio State is the biggest ranked test. The October 31 Battle for the Heartland against Wisconsin and The Heroes Game against Nebraska always carry extra weight.
Win two of the major rivalry and ranked games and the Hawkeyes stay in control of their path toward a possible December 5 Big Ten Championship appearance in Indianapolis.
Where to Watch Iowa Hawkeyes Football
Confirmed networks on the 2026 Iowa football schedule:
- BTN (Sept. 5 vs. NIU)
- NBC/Peacock (Sept. 12 vs. Iowa State)
- FS1 (Sept. 19 vs. Northern Iowa)
- FOX or FS1 (Oct. 9 at Washington)
- CBS/Paramount+ (Nov. 27 vs. Nebraska)
- FOX (Dec. 5 Big Ten Championship)
Most remaining Big Ten games still list TV as TBA. Expect additional network assignments once the final slate is set.
Key Dates at a Glance
- Sept. 5 — Season opener vs. NIU, 4:15 p.m. ET, BTN
- Sept. 12 — Cy-Hawk Series vs. Iowa State, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock
- Oct. 3 — #1 Ohio State at home
- Oct. 17 — Bye week
- Oct. 31 — Battle for the Heartland vs. Wisconsin
- Nov. 27 — The Heroes Game vs. Nebraska, 12:00 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+
- Dec. 5 — Potential Big Ten Championship in Indianapolis, 8:00 p.m. ET, FOX
The 2026 Iowa football schedule opens with three home games and builds toward ranked tests and classic rivalries. November will decide everything.
FAQ
When does Iowa open the 2026 season?
Iowa opens the 2026 season at home against NIU on Saturday, September 5 at 4:15 p.m. ET on BTN.
How many home games do the Iowa Hawkeyes have in 2026?
The Hawkeyes have seven home games at Kinnick Stadium on the 2026 Iowa football schedule: NIU, Iowa State, Northern Iowa, #1 Ohio State, Wisconsin, Purdue, and Nebraska.
Who do the Iowa Hawkeyes play in the Cy-Hawk Series?
On September 12 the Hawkeyes host Iowa State in the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series at Kinnick Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock.
What channel are Iowa games on in 2026?
Confirmed networks include BTN, NBC/Peacock, FS1, FOX or FS1, CBS/Paramount+, and FOX. Most Big Ten games remain TBA and will be assigned later in the year.
