Indiana University has released the full kickoff schedule for its 2026 non‑conference slate, confirming dates, times and broadcast partners for the first three games before the Big Ten season begins.
Primetime Openers and Network Homes
The Hoosiers will open the season on September 5 at noon on Fox when they travel to face North Texas, a matchup that sets the tone for the year. A week later, on September 12, Indiana will host Howard at noon, with the game airing on the Big Ten Network. The final non‑conference contest arrives on September 19 at 4 p.m., when Western Kentucky visits Bloomington and the broadcast moves to Peacock, the streaming platform that carries eight Big Ten games each season.
Conference play opens with a primetime road test at Rutgers on October 3, kicking off at 8 p.m. on Fox. The trip marks Indiana’s first visit to Piscataway, New Jersey, since a 2022 loss, and underscores the team’s early exposure to night‑time Big Ten venues.
Home Conference Opener
Indiana’s first home Big Ten game is scheduled for September 25 at 8 p.m., also on Fox, against Northwestern. The night‑time slot continues the league’s tradition of high‑profile weekend fixtures and will be played at Memorial Stadium in front of a home crowd eager for a strong start.
Beyond the broadcast details, the schedule reflects a strategic non‑conference lineup that includes opponents from the Sun Belt, MEAC and Conference USA, giving the Hoosiers a varied early‑season challenge before diving into Big Ten competition.