Early-Season Slate Unveiled
Indiana University announced that the 2026 football season will open on September 5 at noon, when the Hoosiers host the University of North Texas. The game will be broadcast on FOX, marking the first of several high‑profile television slots for the early schedule.
The following week, Indiana will welcome Howard University at home, with kickoff also set for noon and the broadcast moving to the Big Ten Network. A primetime showdown against Western Kentucky University follows on September 19 at 4 p.m., streamed on Peacock.
Conference play begins with a home game against Northwestern on September 25 at 8 p.m., again on FOX. The Hoosiers then travel to Piscataway, New Jersey, for their first away test against Rutgers on October 3, with kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m. at SHI Stadium; the television partner for that contest is still pending.
While the first five matchups are now set, the remaining seven games of the season will be released at a later date, giving fans a full picture of the schedule in the coming weeks.
Looking Ahead
The athletic department expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming season, noting that the early slate sets a competitive tone and provides ample exposure across major networks. Fans can expect further details as the schedule is completed.