Idaho Vandals map out a demanding 2026 nonconference slate
The university’s soccer program announced its full nonconference schedule on Saturday, confirming twelve early‑season contests that will precede the team’s entry into Big Sky Conference competition.
The campaign opens on August 12 with a road test against Pac‑12 powerhouse Washington State, setting a high‑profile tone for the Vandals.
Just three days later, the home opener arrives against CSUN, before the squad travels to Hawaii where they will meet Western Michigan on August 18 and the hosts Hawaii on August 22.
California will host two pivotal matchups in mid‑September, with games against San Francisco on September 17 and UC Davis on September 20, providing a West Coast swing that tests the team’s depth.
The nonconference portion wraps up on September 25 with a home clash against Gonzaga, a perennial rival that promises a dramatic finale before Big Sky play begins.
Across the schedule, Idaho will face opponents drawn from the Pac‑12, Big West, Mountain West, West Coast and Mid‑American conferences, underscoring the ambitious scope of the 2026 campaign.