Iowa State Announces 2026 Football Kickoff Times
Iowa State football has unveiled the kickoff times for the opening stretch of its 2026 campaign, a schedule that blends early-season non-conference matchups with early Big 12 contests.
The season opens on September 5 at home against Southeast Missouri State, with a 12:00 p.m. CST start that will be broadcast live on the Cyclones' home network.
A week later, the team travels to Bowling Green for an 11:00 a.m. CST kickoff on September 19, marking the earliest test of the year.
The much-anticipated Cy-Hawk rivalry will unfold under the lights on September 26, as Iowa State hosts Iowa in a night game for the first time since 2016, a shift that reflects the growing prominence of the matchup.
Mid-season, the Cyclones will make a Friday night appearance on the road, facing BYU in Provo on October 9, a scheduling quirk that underscores the program's expanding national footprint.
A later November contest will take the team to Orlando, where they meet UCF at 5:00 p.m. CST on November 20, offering a prime-time slot that aligns with the Knights' home schedule.
Should Iowa State secure a spot in the Big 12 Championship, the title game is slated for a Friday night at 7:00 p.m. CST, continuing the trend of weekend prime-time slots for the program.
The announcements also shed light on the opponents' recent performances, with Southeast Missouri State finishing the previous season at 4-8, while BYU entered the matchup ranked 11th after a 12-2 campaign.