Emporia State University has released the kickoff times for all six of its home football games in the 2026 season, setting the stage for a schedule that blends tradition with first‑time moments.
A season of firsts
The Hornets open the home slate on September 12 against Michigan Tech, with a 1 p.m. start that will kick off the season for fans gathering on the campus quad.
A week later, on September 19, the team will host Nebraska‑Kearney in a late‑afternoon contest slated for 4 p.m., a slot that stands out as the only non‑noon kickoff on the schedule.
The remaining home matchups — versus Missouri Western, Central Oklahoma and Washburn — are all set for 1 p.m. starts, preserving a consistent early‑afternoon rhythm for the majority of the season.
Homecoming arrives on October 24 when Central Missouri visits, and the game will be played under the lights with a 7 p.m. kickoff, marking the first night game in Emporia State history.
Four of the six home contests will be carried on the MIAA Network’s television windows, while the other two will be standalone games, giving the university flexibility in how it reaches viewers.