2026 Season Preview: A Full Slate for the Bulldogs
Drake University has released its 2026 men’s soccer schedule, outlining a season that blends early‑season exhibitions with a full conference campaign. The Bulldogs will open with three non‑conference matches before diving into a 16‑game regular season that includes seven Missouri Valley Conference fixtures.
All home matches will now require tickets, with season passes priced at $50 and a combined men’s‑and‑women’s package available for $80. Exhibition games, however, remain ticket‑free, allowing fans to experience the early friendlies without cost.
The first exhibition takes the Bulldogs to Madison, Wisconsin, where they will face the Badgers on August 8. A short stay at home follows with matches against Northeast Community College on August 11 and Iowa Western Community College on August 15.
Regular‑season play begins on August 20 with a home game against Central Arkansas in Des Moines. The Bulldogs’ first road test arrives three days later at Creighton in Omaha, setting the tone for a demanding travel schedule.
August also includes a first homestand against Green Bay and Wartburg College. September brings a four‑game road swing that features a conference opener at Oral Roberts and contests versus Milwaukee, Kansas City, FIU in Miami, Evansville and Saint Louis.
October’s slate showcases Missouri Valley Conference matchups against Belmont, Bowling Green and Western Michigan, before the season concludes with games against Omaha, Bradley and UIC in the Chicago area.