Western Kentucky University has officially released its complete 2026 football schedule, a slate that opens with a grueling three‑game road stretch and culminates with a home showdown against Kennesaw State and a shot at the Conference USA Championship.
Season Overview
The Hilltoppers will begin the year on the road, traveling to Reno to face the Nevada Wolf Pack on September 5, then heading to Athens to meet the Georgia Bulldogs on September 12, and finally visiting Bloomington to take on the Indiana Hoosiers on September 19. All three games will be broadcast nationally, with the Nevada contest on CBS Sports Network, the Georgia game on the SEC Network, and the Indiana matchup streaming on Peacock.
After the early road tests, WKU returns home for its first on‑campus game on September 26 against Mercyhurst, a 6 p.m. CT kickoff that will air on ESPN platforms.
Conference Play Begins
Conference USA action opens on October 1 when the Hilltoppers host New Mexico State in Las Cruces, a 7 p.m. CT game on CBS Sports Network, followed by a home matchup against Missouri State on October 8, also on CBS Sports Network.
Mid‑week competition continues on October 14 with a 7 p.m. CT contest against Sam Houston State on ESPN2, and later in the month WKU will welcome Delaware to Bowling Green for a 6 p.m. CT game on CBS Sports Network.
November brings a series of road challenges, starting with a trip to Murfreesboro to meet Middle Tennessee on November 7 at 2:30 p.m. CT, and a Homecoming clash with Jacksonville State on November 14 at the same time on ESPN platforms.
The regular season will close with a noon CT road game at Liberty on November 21, setting the stage for the final home contest against Kennesaw State on November 28.
Championship Finale
All November games are slated for ESPN platforms, though kickoff times remain subject to change, and the Hilltoppers will conclude the regular season with the Conference USA Championship Game scheduled for Friday, December 4 at 6 p.m. CT on CBS Sports Network.