A packed nonconference slate
Rutgers announced that its women's basketball team will navigate a twelve‑game nonconference schedule before stepping into Big Ten competition for the 2026‑27 season, setting the stage for a busy early stretch.
The centerpiece of the plan is a home‑heavy stretch, with eleven of those contests slated for Jersey Mike's Arena, giving the Scarlet Knights a chance to build momentum in front of their fans.
The season opener arrives early, as the team hosts LIU on November 2, kicking off a run of seven consecutive home games that includes an exhibition matchup with Caldwell on October 30.
Four in‑state rivalries punctuate the slate — Monmouth on November 11, Princeton on November 25, Saint Peter's on December 2 and Seton Hall on December 8 — offering local fans familiar foes and competitive matchups.
Additional road trips and neutral‑site games are scattered throughout the schedule, with contests against Maryland Eastern Shore on November 19, Albany on November 16, Delaware State on November 21, Coppin State on December 13 and Lafayette on December 20.
The Scarlet Knights will travel to Princeton for a Thanksgiving showdown on November 25, and the full Big Ten schedule will be released later in the year, setting the stage for conference play.