Schedule Overview
Ball State University has released its 2026‑27 men’s basketball schedule, a slate that blends demanding non‑conference road trips with a full 22‑game Mid‑American Conference campaign.
The season opens with two exhibition contests in October against Purdue and Purdue Fort Wayne, setting the tone for a schedule that also includes a November 2 matchup against Georgia Southern as part of the MAC‑SBC Challenge, a series that pits Mid‑American teams against Sun Belt opponents.
Notable Games and Venues
In‑state rivalries await at Worthen Arena, where the Cardinals will host Indiana State on November 6 and Evansville on December 9, while earlier in the month they welcome Brescia University on November 9 and East‑West University on December 29.
The non‑conference slate also features high‑profile games against Atlantic Coast Conference foes SMU on November 13 and Florida State on November 17, providing early tests against power‑conference competition.
Conference play begins with a December 2 road game at Akron, followed by home contests against Eastern Michigan (December 5), Central Michigan (January 9), Buffalo (January 30) and a rematch with Akron on February 27. The regular season wraps on March 5 at Central Michigan, after which the MAC Tournament will be held at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
Head coach Chris Capko said the schedule offers the team chances to measure itself against elite programs and to build momentum heading into the league tournament, and season tickets are now on sale, with any future adjustments to be communicated through social media and the ticket office.