The Drake University women's soccer program has released its complete 2026 schedule, outlining a demanding lineup of 18 regular‑season contests, two preseason exhibitions and nine home fixtures at Mediacom Stadium.
The Bulldogs will open the campaign with a home exhibition against North Dakota on August 5, followed by a road test against Northern Illinois on August 8, before embarking on a Rocky Mountain swing that includes matches in Wyoming and Colorado.
Subsequent non‑conference opponents span the Midwest, featuring St. Thomas, Grand View, SIUE and Western Illinois, while the slate also includes road trips to South Dakota and Omaha to close out the non‑conference portion.
Conference play kicks in late September with meetings against Valparaiso and Evansville, and continues through October with five additional league contests, including a home game versus UIC and road visits to Indiana State and Southern Illinois.
The regular season will wrap up with a pair of home games against Illinois State and Northern Iowa, setting the stage for the Missouri Valley Conference Women's Soccer Championship scheduled for early November.
Ticket and Season‑Ticket Details
Ticket policy has been updated, requiring purchases for all home matches; however, exhibition games remain free of charge. Fans can secure season tickets for the men's soccer side at $50, or opt for a combined package covering both men's and women's soccer for $80.
Head coach Lindsey Horner emphasized the team's ambition to defend its regular‑season title, noting that the blend of early non‑conference challenges and a compact conference schedule should test depth while building momentum.
With the schedule now public, the athletic department encourages supporters to plan ahead, purchase tickets early and consider the affordable season‑ticket options that make attending multiple matches a cost‑effective choice.