The 2026 Michigan State football schedule opens at home against Toledo on September 4 at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Michigan State Spartans face 12 regular-season games plus a potential Big Ten Championship appearance, with the Battle for the Megaphone against Notre Dame and the Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy against Michigan on the slate.
Spartan Stadium hosts seven home dates on the 2026 Michigan State football schedule. The toughest stretch lands in mid-to-late November with consecutive home games against ranked Washington and Oregon.
2026 Michigan State Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | Toledo RocketsSpartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI | 8:00pm ETFS1 | ||
| Saturday | Eastern Michigan EaglesSpartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI | 3:30pm ETBTN | ||
| Battle for the Megaphone | ||||
| Saturday | at 4 Notre Dame Fighting IrishNotre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, IN | 7:30pm ETNBC/Peacock | ||
| Saturday | Nebraska CornhuskersSpartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Wisconsin BadgersCamp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Illinois Fighting IlliniSpartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Northwestern WildcatsSpartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at UCLA BruinsRose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy | ||||
| Saturday | at 16 Michigan WolverinesMichigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | 17 Washington HuskiesSpartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Friday | 2 Oregon DucksSpartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI | 8:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Saturday | at Rutgers Scarlet KnightsSHI Stadium, Piscataway, NJ | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Big Ten ChampionshipLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | 8:00pm ETFOX | ||
How the 2026 Michigan State Football Schedule Sets Up
September opens with two home games and a high-profile road test on the 2026 Michigan State football schedule. Toledo and Eastern Michigan at Spartan Stadium, then the Battle for the Megaphone at #4 Notre Dame on NBC/Peacock, followed by Nebraska at home. That early stretch mixes manageable home dates with a ranked road contest.
October brings a road trip to Wisconsin, Illinois at home, Northwestern at home, a road game at UCLA, and the bye week. The mid-season home dates help build momentum before the final stretch.
November features the Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy at #16 Michigan, #17 Washington at home, #2 Oregon at home on FOX, and a closer at Rutgers. That final stretch will decide seeding for a possible Big Ten Championship appearance.
Home Games at Spartan Stadium
Seven home dates appear on the 2026 Michigan State football schedule:
- September 4 vs. Toledo
- September 12 vs. Eastern Michigan
- September 26 vs. Nebraska
- October 10 vs. Illinois
- October 17 vs. Northwestern
- November 14 vs. #17 Washington
- November 20 vs. #2 Oregon
The Washington and Oregon games will generate the strongest crowds in East Lansing.
The Games That Decide the Season
Three contests stand out on the 2026 Michigan State football schedule.
The September 19 Battle for the Megaphone at #4 Notre Dame is an early national measuring stick. The November 7 Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy at #16 Michigan is the most important rivalry test. The November 20 home date against #2 Oregon on FOX will likely decide late-season momentum.
Win two of those three and the Spartans stay in control of their path toward a possible December 5 Big Ten Championship appearance in Indianapolis.
Where to Watch Michigan State Spartans Football
Confirmed networks on the 2026 Michigan State football schedule:
- FS1 (Sept. 4 vs. Toledo)
- BTN (Sept. 12 vs. Eastern Michigan)
- NBC/Peacock (Sept. 19 at Notre Dame)
- FOX (Nov. 20 vs. Oregon and 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. 4 — Season opener vs. Toledo, 8:00 p.m. ET, FS1
- Sept. 19 — Battle for the Megaphone at #4 Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock
- Oct. 31 — Bye week
- Nov. 7 — Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy at #16 Michigan
- Nov. 20 — #2 Oregon at home, 8:00 p.m. ET, FOX
- Dec. 5 — Potential Big Ten Championship in Indianapolis, 8:00 p.m. ET, FOX
The 2026 Michigan State football schedule opens with two home games and builds toward ranked tests and classic rivalries. November will decide everything.
FAQ
When does Michigan State open the 2026 season?
Michigan State opens the 2026 season at home against Toledo on Friday, September 4 at 8:00 p.m. ET on FS1.
How many home games do the Michigan State Spartans have in 2026?
The Spartans have seven home games at Spartan Stadium on the 2026 Michigan State football schedule: Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Nebraska, Illinois, Northwestern, #17 Washington, and #2 Oregon.
Who do the Michigan State Spartans play in the Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy?
On November 7 the Spartans travel to Michigan Stadium to face #16 Michigan in the Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy. Time and TV are still TBA.
What channel are Michigan State games on in 2026?
Confirmed networks include FS1, BTN, NBC/Peacock, and FOX. Most Big Ten games remain TBA and will be assigned later in the year.
