The University of Iowa athletics department has released the full slate of kickoff times for the 2026 Hawkeyes football season, a schedule that blends early‑season road tests with a handful of marquee home contests.
Iowa will open the year on Saturday, September 5, traveling to face Northern Illinois at 3:15 p.m. Central Time, a matchup that will be carried live on the Big Ten Network.
A week later the Hawkeyes return to Iowa City for an in‑state showdown with rival Iowa State, slated for a 6:30 p.m. Central start on NBC, promising another chapter in the storied Cyclone‑Hawkeye rivalry.
The non‑conference slate continues on September 19 when the Hawkeyes host Northern Iowa, with a 3 p.m. Central kickoff on FS1, giving fans another chance to see the team in action before conference play begins.
Late‑Season Highlights
The most anticipated home game arrives on Friday, November 27, when Nebraska visits Kinnick Stadium for the Pioneer Heroes Game and Senior Day, kicking off at 11 a.m. Central on CBS, a tradition that draws both alumni and national attention.
Iowa will also test its mettle on the road at Washington on Friday, October 9, with an 8 p.m. Central start that will be broadcast on either FOX or FS1, underscoring the growing national footprint of the program.