Season Opener and Schedule Overview
The Badgers open the 2026‑27 campaign with a two‑game home series against Robert Morris on October 2‑3, setting the tone for a schedule that blends home‑court advantage with a demanding road slate.
A highlight of the non‑conference slate is the Kwik Trip Holiday Face‑off in Milwaukee, where Wisconsin will meet Arizona State, UMass and Northern Michigan on December 29‑30, adding a festive twist to the early‑season schedule.
Coach Mike Hastings returns to Minnesota State for a series on October 9‑10, marking his homecoming after eleven seasons as the Mavericks' bench boss and underscoring the personal storylines that accompany the team's itinerary.
The broader non‑conference slate includes matchups against Notre Dame, Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State, Canisius, Michigan, Michigan State and Omaha, with three of those series scheduled on home ice and the remainder scattered across the Midwest and Northeast.
Road Trips and Later Challenges
Later in the season the Badgers travel to face Penn State in late January, then head to Ohio State and Michigan State in February, before concluding the regular season with a series at Notre Dame in early March, each of which promises competitive tests against traditional rivals.
Exact start times and broadcast details for the Big Ten series remain pending, leaving fans eager to see how the team will navigate the upcoming challenges.