Michigan State football has released the kickoff times and television assignments for the opening stretch of its 2026 schedule, setting the stage for a season that could mark a turning point after a challenging 4‑8 finish a year ago.
The Spartans will open the season at home against the Toledo Rockets on Friday, September 4, with an 8 p.m. Eastern Time start that will be carried live on Fox Sports 1.
A week later, on September 12, Michigan State travels to face Eastern Michigan, kicking off at 3:30 p.m. ET and streaming on the Big Ten Network.
Broadcast Details
The first road test comes on September 19 at Notre Dame, where the game is slated for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on NBC, adding a national audience to the early slate.
All of this unfolds under new leadership, as veteran Pat Fitzgerald takes the helm of the program, hoping to snap the longest bowl drought in school history that has stretched to four seasons.
With the non‑conference slate set, the team will look to build momentum heading into Big Ten play, aiming to rewrite a narrative that has been defined by a winless conference record last year.