The 2026 Michigan football schedule opens at home against Western Michigan on September 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Michigan Wolverines face 12 regular-season games plus a potential Big Ten Championship appearance, with high-profile home dates against ranked Oklahoma, Iowa, Penn State and Indiana, plus the annual Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy and The Game against Ohio State.
Michigan Stadium hosts eight home dates on the 2026 Michigan football schedule. The toughest stretch lands in mid-to-late November with a road trip to ranked Oregon followed by The Game at #1 Ohio State.
2026 Michigan Football Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Western Michigan BroncosMichigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI | 7:30pm ETNBC/Peacock | ||
| Saturday | 10 Oklahoma SoonersMichigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI | 12:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Saturday | UTEP MinersMichigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI | 3:30pm ETBTN | ||
| Saturday | 22 Iowa HawkeyesMichigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Minnesota Golden GophersHuntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | OFF | |||
| Saturday | 18 Penn State Nittany LionsMichigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | 6 Indiana HoosiersMichigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at Rutgers Scarlet KnightsSHI Stadium, Piscataway, NJ | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy | ||||
| Saturday | Michigan State SpartansMichigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | at 2 Oregon DucksAutzen Stadium, Eugene, OR | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Saturday | UCLA BruinsMichigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| The Game | ||||
| Saturday | at 1 Ohio State BuckeyesOhio Stadium, Columbus, OH | 12:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Saturday | vs Big Ten ChampionshipLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | 8:00pm ETFOX | ||
How the 2026 Michigan Football Schedule Sets Up
September opens with four home games on the 2026 Michigan Wolverines football schedule. Western Michigan, #10 Oklahoma, UTEP and #22 Iowa all come to Michigan Stadium. That early stretch gives the Wolverines a strong home start featuring two ranked opponents.
October brings a road trip to Minnesota, the bye week, #18 Penn State at home, #6 Indiana at home, and a road game at Rutgers. The back-to-back ranked home games will define the middle of the season.
November features the Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy against Michigan State at home, a road trip to #2 Oregon, UCLA at home, and The Game at #1 Ohio State. That final stretch will decide seeding for a possible Big Ten Championship appearance.
Home Games at Michigan Stadium
Eight home dates appear on the 2026 Michigan football schedule:
- September 5 vs. Western Michigan
- September 12 vs. #10 Oklahoma
- September 19 vs. UTEP
- September 26 vs. #22 Iowa
- October 17 vs. #18 Penn State
- October 24 vs. #6 Indiana
- November 7 vs. Michigan State (Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy)
- November 21 vs. UCLA
The Oklahoma, Penn State, Indiana and Michigan State games will generate the strongest crowds in Ann Arbor.
The Games That Decide the Season
Three contests stand out on the 2026 Michigan football schedule.
The September 12 home game against #10 Oklahoma is an early national measuring stick. The November 14 road trip to #2 Oregon is a key ranked test. The November 28 Game at #1 Ohio State always carries the most weight of the season.
Win two of those three and the Wolverines stay in control of their path toward a possible December 5 Big Ten Championship appearance in Indianapolis.
Where to Watch Michigan Wolverines Football
Confirmed networks on the 2026 Michigan football schedule:
- NBC/Peacock (Sept. 5 vs. Western Michigan)
- FOX (Sept. 12 vs. Oklahoma and Nov. 28 at Ohio State)
- BTN (Sept. 19 vs. UTEP)
- 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. Western Michigan, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock
- Sept. 12 — #10 Oklahoma at home, 12:00 p.m. ET, FOX
- Oct. 10 — Bye week
- Nov. 7 — Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy vs. Michigan State
- Nov. 14 — At #2 Oregon
- Nov. 28 — The Game at #1 Ohio State, 12:00 p.m. ET, FOX
- Dec. 5 — Potential Big Ten Championship in Indianapolis, 8:00 p.m. ET, FOX
The 2026 Michigan football schedule opens with four home games and builds toward classic rivalries and ranked road tests. November will decide everything.
FAQ
When does Michigan open the 2026 season?
Michigan opens the 2026 season at home against Western Michigan on Saturday, September 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock.
How many home games do the Michigan Wolverines have in 2026?
The Wolverines have eight home games at Michigan Stadium on the 2026 Michigan football schedule: Western Michigan, #10 Oklahoma, UTEP, #22 Iowa, #18 Penn State, #6 Indiana, Michigan State, and UCLA.
Who do the Michigan Wolverines play in The Game?
On November 28 the Wolverines travel to Ohio Stadium to face #1 Ohio State in The Game at 12:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
What channel are Michigan games on in 2026?
Confirmed networks include NBC/Peacock, FOX, and BTN. Most Big Ten games remain TBA and will be assigned later in the year.
