Ohio State's field hockey program has released its 2026 schedule, a calendar that blends early‑season exhibitions with a demanding conference slate and a clear path to the NCAA tournament. The announcement comes as the Buckeyes look to build on recent successes and contend for a Big Ten title.
Early‑Season Exhibitions
The team opens August with a pair of road scrimmages, traveling to Ohio on Friday, Aug. 14, and to Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 20. A home exhibition against Michigan follows on Saturday, Aug. 22, giving fans a first look at the new roster before the season officially begins.
Ohio State opens its competitive season on Friday, Aug. 28, hosting Old Dominion at Buckeye Varsity Field at 4 p.m. The following day, the Buckeyes welcome Bellarmine at 1 p.m., setting the tone for a schedule that mixes home‑court advantage with strategic road trips.
Big Ten/ACC Challenge in Syracuse
In early September, the Buckeyes head to Syracuse, N.Y., for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Games against Syracuse Orange are slated for Friday, Sept. 4, at 5 p.m., and a matchup with Virginia follows on Sunday, Sept. 6, at 11 a.m., providing a high‑profile test early in the conference season.
The challenge continues with home series against Delaware on Friday, Sept. 11, Cornell on Sunday, Sept. 13, and Boston College on Sunday, Sept. 20, giving the team a mix of opponents as it fine‑tunes its game plan.
Conference Play and Road Trips
Ohio State opens Big Ten play on Friday, Sept. 25, at Iowa, before a non‑conference showdown with the Hawkeyes on Sunday, Sept. 27. The Buckeyes then return home to host Northwestern on Friday, Oct. 2, Indiana on Sunday, Oct. 4, and Rutgers on Friday, Oct. 9, before traveling to Penn State on Friday, Oct. 16, and Maryland on Sunday, Oct. 18.
The regular season wraps with a home game against Michigan State on Friday, Oct. 23, a road trip to Kent State on Sunday, Oct. 25, and a final showdown at Michigan on Friday, Oct. 30, ensuring the team finishes the schedule with a strong push.
Tournament Finale
The Big Ten Tournament will be held at Buckeye Varsity Field from Nov. 5‑8, 2026, offering the Buckeyes a chance to claim a conference title. Following that, the NCAA Tournament runs from Nov. 13‑22, giving the team a national stage to showcase its season’s work.