The 2026 Indiana football schedule opens at home against North Texas on September 5 at 12:00 p.m. ET. The Indiana Hoosiers face 12 regular-season games plus a potential Big Ten Championship appearance, with a mid-November bye and high-profile home dates against ranked Ohio State and USC.
Memorial Stadium hosts eight home dates on the 2026 Indiana Hoosiers Football schedule. The toughest stretch lands in mid-to-late October with a home date against #1 Ohio State followed by a road trip to #16 Michigan.
2026 Indiana Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | North Texas Mean GreenMemorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN | 12:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Saturday | Howard BisonMemorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN | 12:00pm ETBTN | ||
| Saturday | WKU HilltoppersMemorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN | 4:00pm ETPeacock | ||
| Friday | Northwestern WildcatsMemorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN | 8:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Saturday | at Rutgers Scarlet KnightsSHI Stadium, Piscataway, NJ | 8:00pm ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Nebraska CornhuskersMemorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | 1 Ohio State BuckeyesMemorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at 16 Michigan WolverinesMichigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | Minnesota Golden GophersMemorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | 14 USC TrojansMemorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at 17 Washington HuskiesHusky Stadium, Seattle, WA | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Old Oaken Bucket Game | ||||
| Saturday | Purdue BoilermakersMemorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | vs Big Ten ChampionshipLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | 8:00pm ETFOX | ||
How the 2026 Indiana Football Schedule Sets Up
September opens with four straight home games on the 2026 Indiana football schedule. North Texas, Howard, WKU and Northwestern all come to Memorial Stadium. That early stretch gives the Hoosiers a strong home start before Big Ten play intensifies.
October brings road trips to Rutgers and Nebraska, a home date against #1 Ohio State, a road game at #16 Michigan, and Minnesota at home. The back-to-back ranked games will define the middle of the season.
November features the bye week, #14 USC at home, a road trip to #17 Washington, and the Old Oaken Bucket Game against Purdue at home. That final stretch will decide seeding for a possible Big Ten Championship appearance.
Home Games at Memorial Stadium
Eight home dates appear on the 2026 Indiana football schedule:
- September 5 vs. North Texas
- September 12 vs. Howard
- September 19 vs. WKU
- September 25 vs. Northwestern
- October 17 vs. #1 Ohio State
- October 31 vs. Minnesota
- November 14 vs. #14 USC
- November 28 vs. Purdue (Old Oaken Bucket Game)
The Ohio State and USC games will generate the strongest crowds in Bloomington.
The Games That Decide the Season
Three contests stand out on the 2026 Indiana football schedule.
The October 17 home game against #1 Ohio State is the biggest measuring stick. The October 24 road trip to #16 Michigan is a key ranked test. The November 28 Old Oaken Bucket Game against Purdue always carries extra weight.
Win two of those three and the Hoosiers stay in control of their path toward a possible December 5 Big Ten Championship appearance in Indianapolis.
Where to Watch Indiana Hoosiers Football
Confirmed networks on the 2026 Indiana football schedule:
- FOX (Sept. 5 vs. North Texas and Sept. 25 vs. Northwestern)
- BTN (Sept. 12 vs. Howard)
- Peacock (Sept. 19 vs. WKU)
- 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. North Texas, 12:00 p.m. ET, FOX
- Oct. 17 — #1 Ohio State at home
- Oct. 24 — At #16 Michigan
- Nov. 7 — Bye week
- Nov. 14 — #14 USC at home
- Nov. 28 — Old Oaken Bucket Game vs. Purdue
- Dec. 5 — Potential Big Ten Championship in Indianapolis, 8:00 p.m. ET, FOX
The 2026 Indiana football schedule opens with four home games and builds toward ranked tests and the Old Oaken Bucket. November will decide everything.
FAQ
When does Indiana open the 2026 season?
Indiana opens the 2026 season at home against North Texas on Saturday, September 5 at 12:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
How many home games do the Indiana Hoosiers have in 2026?
The Hoosiers have eight home games at Memorial Stadium on the 2026 Indiana football schedule: North Texas, Howard, WKU, Northwestern, #1 Ohio State, Minnesota, #14 USC, and Purdue.
Who do the Indiana Hoosiers play in the Old Oaken Bucket Game?
On November 28 the Hoosiers host Purdue in the Old Oaken Bucket Game at Memorial Stadium. Time and TV are still TBA.
What channel are Indiana games on in 2026?
Confirmed networks include FOX, BTN, Peacock, and FOX for the championship. Most Big Ten games remain TBA and will be assigned later in the year.
