The 2026 Iowa State football schedule opens at home against Southeast Missouri on September 5 at 1:00 p.m. ET. The 2026 Iowa State Cyclones football schedule features 12 regular-season games plus a potential Big 12 Championship appearance, with the Cy-Hawk rivalry against Iowa and Farmageddon against Kansas State at the end.
Jack Trice Stadium hosts seven home dates on the 2026 Iowa State football schedule. The toughest stretch lands in late September and early October with a home date against ranked Utah followed by a road trip to ranked BYU.
2026 Iowa State Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Southeast Missouri RedhawksJack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA | 1:00pm ETESPN+ | ||
| Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series | ||||
| Saturday | at 22 Iowa HawkeyesKinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA | 7:30pm ETNBC/Peacock | ||
| Saturday | Bowling Green FalconsJack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA | 12:00pm ETESPNU | ||
| Saturday | 21 Utah UtesJack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | West Virginia MountaineersJack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Friday | at 14 BYU CougarsLaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT | 10:15pm ETESPN | ||
| Saturday | at Arizona WildcatsCasino Del Sol Stadium, Tucson, AZ | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Oklahoma State CowboysJack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Baylor BearsMcLane Stadium, Waco, TX | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Cincinnati BearcatsJack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Friday | at UCF KnightsAcrisure Bounce House, Orlando, FL | 6:00pm ETFS1 | ||
| Farmageddon | ||||
| Saturday | Kansas State WildcatsJack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Friday | vs Big 12 ChampionshipAT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX | 8:00pm ETABC | ||
How the 2026 Iowa State Football Schedule Sets Up
September opens with a home game, the Cy-Hawk rivalry, and another home date on the 2026 Iowa State Cyclones football schedule. Southeast Missouri at home, a road trip to #22 Iowa on NBC/Peacock, Bowling Green at home, and #21 Utah at home. That early stretch mixes a high-profile rivalry with two ranked tests.
October brings West Virginia at home, a Friday night road trip to #14 BYU on ESPN, a road game at Arizona, and Oklahoma State at home. The BYU game is the clearest mid-season ranked measuring stick.
November features a road trip to Baylor, Cincinnati at home, a Friday night road game at UCF on FS1, and Farmageddon against Kansas State at home. That final stretch will decide seeding for a possible Big 12 Championship appearance.
Home Games at Jack Trice Stadium
Seven home dates appear on the 2026 Iowa State football schedule:
- September 5 vs. Southeast Missouri
- September 19 vs. Bowling Green
- September 26 vs. #21 Utah
- October 3 vs. West Virginia
- October 31 vs. Oklahoma State
- November 14 vs. Cincinnati
- November 28 vs. Kansas State (Farmageddon)
The Utah and Kansas State games will generate the strongest crowds in Ames.
The Games That Decide the Season
Three contests stand out on the 2026 Iowa State football schedule.
The September 12 Cy-Hawk Series game at #22 Iowa is the early rivalry measuring stick. The September 26 home date against #21 Utah is a key ranked test. The November 28 Farmageddon against Kansas State always carries extra weight.
Win two of those three and the Cyclones stay in control of their path toward a possible December 4 Big 12 Championship appearance in Arlington.
Where to Watch Iowa State Cyclones Football: TV and Streaming
Confirmed networks on the Iowa State TV schedule 2026:
- ESPN+ (Sept. 5 vs. Southeast Missouri)
- NBC/Peacock (Sept. 12 at Iowa)
- ESPNU (Sept. 19 vs. Bowling Green)
- ESPN (Oct. 9 at BYU)
- FS1 (Nov. 20 at UCF)
- ABC (Dec. 4 Big 12 Championship)
Most remaining Big 12 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. Southeast Missouri, 1:00 p.m. ET, ESPN+
- Sept. 12 — Cy-Hawk Series at #22 Iowa, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock
- Sept. 26 — #21 Utah at home
- Oct. 9 — At #14 BYU, 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Nov. 28 — Farmageddon vs. Kansas State
- Dec. 4 — Potential Big 12 Championship in Arlington, 8:00 p.m. ET, ABC
The 2026 Iowa State football schedule opens with a rivalry game and builds toward ranked tests and Farmageddon. November will decide everything.
FAQ
When does Iowa State open the 2026 season?
Iowa State opens the 2026 season at home against Southeast Missouri on Saturday, September 5 at 1:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
How many home games do the Iowa State Cyclones have in 2026?
The Cyclones have seven home games at Jack Trice Stadium on the 2026 Iowa State football schedule: Southeast Missouri, Bowling Green, #21 Utah, West Virginia, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati, and Kansas State.
Who do the Iowa State Cyclones play in Farmageddon?
On November 28 the Cyclones host Kansas State in Farmageddon at Jack Trice Stadium. Time and TV are still TBA.
What channel are Iowa State games on in 2026?
Confirmed networks include ESPN+, NBC/Peacock, ESPNU, ESPN, FS1, and ABC. Most Big 12 games remain TBA and will be assigned later in the year.
