The University of Minnesota’s football program has officially released the kickoff windows for a handful of its 2026 contests, giving fans a first look at the schedule that will shape the early stretch of the season.
The campaign begins at home on September 3, when the Gophers host Eastern Illinois at 7 p.m., a slot that will be carried live on the streaming platform Peacock.
A week later, Minnesota travels to face Mississippi State, with the game slated for a 2:30 p.m. start on CBS, while the following Saturday sees the team return home to take on Akron at 11 a.m. on the Big Ten Network.
Homecoming is set for October 24, and the matchup against Iowa will open with a kickoff sometime between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., though the exact time will be confirmed closer to the date.
The highly anticipated rivalry game against Wisconsin is locked for November 27 at 6:30 p.m., broadcast on NBC, promising a primetime showdown that will close out the regular season.
Conference officials have indicated that the start times for the remaining seven fixtures will be announced in the coming weeks, allowing the schedule to be fine‑tuned as television contracts and venue considerations are finalized.
Broadcast Landscape
The slate reflects a strategic placement across major networks, with NBC, CBS and the Big Ten Network each slated to air multiple marquee contests, underscoring the conference’s broad media reach.