Northern Illinois University’s football program is set to make its debut in the Mountain West Conference, a move that has generated considerable excitement among fans and analysts alike.
Home Opener and Early Road Tests
The Huskies will open their season at home against Illinois State on Saturday, September 12, with a 6 p.m. Central Time kickoff that will stream on the conference’s MW+ platform.
A week later, NIU travels to Iowa where they will meet the Hawkeyes at 3:15 p.m. CT on the Big Ten Network, marking the first of several high‑profile road tests.
Mid‑Season Highlights
The team’s first encounter with a Power Five opponent arrives on September 19 when Arizona visits Huskie Stadium, with the contest slated for a 9:30 p.m. CT start on TNT/HBO Max.
That same night will also serve as the 119th Homecoming celebration, as the Huskies host Air Force, the Falcons, in a clash that will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
After a brief stint in Wyoming the following week, NIU will head to Las Vegas for a Halloween night showdown at UNLV, again on CBS Sports Network.
Championship Game and Ticket Info
The season will culminate with the 2026 Mountain West Football Championship Game on Friday, December 4, broadcast on FOX at 8 p.m. CT.
Season tickets are currently on sale starting at $102 and can be purchased through the university’s ticket portal, while single‑game tickets will become available later in the summer.