The 2026 Purdue football schedule opens at home against Indiana State on September 4 at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Purdue Boilermakers face 12 regular-season games plus a potential Big Ten Championship appearance, with the Shillelagh Trophy Game against Notre Dame and the Old Oaken Bucket Game against Indiana on the slate.
Ross-Ade Stadium hosts seven home dates on the 2026 Purdue Boilermakers Football schedule. The toughest stretch lands in late September and mid-October with a home date against ranked Notre Dame followed by a home date against ranked Washington.
2026 Purdue Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | Indiana State SycamoresRoss-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN | 7:00pm ETBTN | ||
| Saturday | Wake Forest Demon DeaconsRoss-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN | 12:00pm ETFS1 | ||
| Saturday | at UCLA BruinsRose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA | 11:00pm ETBTN | ||
| Shillelagh Trophy Game | ||||
| Saturday | 4 Notre Dame Fighting IrishRoss-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Illinois Fighting IlliniGies Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Minnesota Golden GophersRoss-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Friday | 17 Washington HuskiesRoss-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN | 8:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | at 18 Penn State Nittany LionsBeaver Stadium, University Park, PA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Maryland TerrapinsRoss-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at 22 Iowa HawkeyesKinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Wisconsin BadgersRoss-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Old Oaken Bucket Game | ||||
| Saturday | at 6 Indiana HoosiersMemorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Big Ten ChampionshipLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | 8:00pm ETFOX | ||
How the 2026 Purdue Football Schedule Sets Up
September opens with two home games, a late road trip, and a ranked home test on the 2026 Purdue Boilermakers Football schedule. Indiana State and Wake Forest at Ross-Ade Stadium, a Friday night trip to UCLA, and the Shillelagh Trophy Game against #4 Notre Dame at home. That early stretch mixes manageable dates with a high-profile ranked contest.
October brings a road trip to Illinois, Minnesota at home, #17 Washington at home on FOX, the bye week, and a road game at #18 Penn State. The ranked home date against Washington is a key mid-season measuring stick.
November features Maryland at home, a road trip to #22 Iowa, Wisconsin at home, and the Old Oaken Bucket Game at #6 Indiana. That final stretch will decide seeding for a possible Big Ten Championship appearance.
Home Games at Ross-Ade Stadium
Seven home dates appear on the 2026 Purdue football schedule:
- September 4 vs. Indiana State
- September 12 vs. Wake Forest
- September 26 vs. #4 Notre Dame (Shillelagh Trophy Game)
- October 10 vs. Minnesota
- October 16 vs. #17 Washington
- November 7 vs. Maryland
- November 21 vs. Wisconsin
The Notre Dame and Washington games will generate the strongest crowds in West Lafayette.
The Games That Decide the Season
Three contests stand out on the 2026 Purdue football schedule.
The September 26 Shillelagh Trophy Game against #4 Notre Dame is an early national measuring stick. The October 16 home date against #17 Washington on FOX is a key ranked test. The November 28 Old Oaken Bucket Game at #6 Indiana always carries extra weight.
Win two of those three and the Boilermakers stay in control of their path toward a possible December 5 Big Ten Championship appearance in Indianapolis.
Where to Watch Purdue Boilermakers Football
Confirmed networks on the 2026 Purdue football schedule:
- BTN (Sept. 4 vs. Indiana State and Sept. 19 at UCLA)
- FS1 (Sept. 12 vs. Wake Forest)
- FOX (Oct. 16 vs. Washington 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. Indiana State, 7:00 p.m. ET, BTN
- Sept. 26 — Shillelagh Trophy Game vs. #4 Notre Dame
- Oct. 16 — #17 Washington at home, 8:00 p.m. ET, FOX
- Oct. 24 — Bye week
- Nov. 28 — Old Oaken Bucket Game at #6 Indiana
- Dec. 5 — Potential Big Ten Championship in Indianapolis, 8:00 p.m. ET, FOX
The 2026 Purdue football schedule opens with two home games and builds toward ranked tests and classic rivalries. November will decide everything.
FAQ
When does Purdue open the 2026 season?
Purdue opens the 2026 season at home against Indiana State on Friday, September 4 at 7:00 p.m. ET on BTN.
How many home games do the Purdue Boilermakers have in 2026?
The Boilermakers have seven home games at Ross-Ade Stadium on the 2026 Purdue football schedule: Indiana State, Wake Forest, #4 Notre Dame, Minnesota, #17 Washington, Maryland, and Wisconsin.
Who do the Purdue Boilermakers play in the Old Oaken Bucket Game?
On November 28 the Boilermakers travel to Memorial Stadium to face #6 Indiana in the Old Oaken Bucket Game. Time and TV are still TBA.
What channel are Purdue games on in 2026?
Confirmed networks include BTN, FS1, and FOX. Most Big Ten games remain TBA and will be assigned later in the year.
