Rutgers University’s field hockey program has released its 2026 schedule, a demanding 18‑game lineup that kicks off in late August and runs through early November.
The Scarlet Knights arrive with a strong recent record, having posted 60 wins over the past five seasons and accumulating 42 ranked victories since 2018, including 16 top‑10 wins since 2021.
Preparation begins with a pair of scrimmages against Drexel and Villanova before the team embarks on a five‑game road stretch that opens on August 28 at Monmouth.
That opening swing will take the Knights to Wagner, Syracuse, Virginia and Princeton, testing them against a mix of opponents that includes five teams that were ranked in last year’s meetings.
Key matchups to watch
The non‑conference slate also features return matches against Syracuse, Virginia, UConn, Princeton and Monmouth, giving the team a chance to avenge earlier losses and build momentum heading into conference play.
Big Ten competition opens on September 25 when Rutgers travels to face Maryland, and the conference schedule balances four road trips with four home contests, including a three‑game homestand that starts with La Salle.
Mid‑season action sees the Knights host UConn on September 13, then head upstate to play at Albany and Colgate, before a pivotal weekend at Ohio State on October 9.
October brings a cluster of home games against Penn State (October 2), American (October 2‑3), Michigan (October 16) and Michigan State (October 18), while the road slate culminates with trips to Iowa and Northwestern on October 23‑25.
The regular season wraps on October 30 with a home game against Indiana, setting the stage for the Big Ten Tournament in Columbus, Ohio, scheduled for November 5‑8.
Following the conference tournament, the NCAA Tournament begins on November 13, with campus sites hosting the first two rounds, and the Final Four will be held in Louisville, Kentucky, starting November 20.