Football | March 9
DeKALB, Ill. – The Mountain West Conference has announced dates for its league members today, setting the table for the 2026 Northern Illinois University football schedule.
Season ticket renewals and new season tickets starting at $102 are now available for the 2026 NIU Football season online at NIUHuskies.com/tickets. For more information, call the NIU Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225) weekdays between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. or email
huskiestickets@niu.edu.
The Huskies open the season on the road against Big Ten opponent Iowa on Saturday, Sept. 5. The home opener for NIU is slated for Saturday, Sept. 12 against 2025 FCS runner-up Illinois State. This fall will be the first meeting against Iowa since 2018 and first meeting against Illinois State since 2019.
After Illinois State, NIU travels to Arizona on Saturday, Sept. 19 and to Georgia State on Saturday, Sept. 26 to close out its non-conference schedule.
The Huskies first-ever Mountain West conference game will also be the 119th NIU Homecoming, facing Air Force on Saturday, Oct. 10.
NIU will play all of its conference games in consecutive weeks to close out the regular season, concluding with a season finale at Huskie Stadium against UTEP on Saturday, Nov. 28.
2026 NIU Football Schedule
Saturday, Sept. 5 – at Iowa
Saturday, Sept. 12 – Illinois State
Saturday, Sept. 19 – at Arizona
Saturday, Sept. 26 – at Georgia State
Saturday, Oct. 3 – BYE
Saturday, Oct. 10 – Air Force*
Saturday, Oct. 17 – at Wyoming*
Saturday, Oct. 24 – Hawai'i*
Saturday, Oct. 31 – at UNLV*
Saturday, Nov. 7 – at San José State*
Saturday, Nov. 14 – Nevada*
Saturday, Nov. 21 – at North Dakota State*
Saturday, Nov. 28 – UTEP*
*
conference game
The date of the Mountain West conference championship game will be announced by the league at a later time. Game times for NIU will also be released at a later date.
The Huskie Athletic Fund will also continue to offer Huskie supporters the opportunity to be part of this milestone moment while receiving limited-edition inaugural items.
• The $260 level includes an Inaugural Commemorative Ticket, created to mark NIU Football's first season in the Mountain West Conference. This item is limited to just 100 supporters, making it a rare keepsake celebrating a defining chapter in Huskie history (21 remaining).
• The $2,600 level includes an Inaugural Framed NIU Mountain West Jersey (#26), a premium collectible honoring the Huskies' entrance into the conference (3 remaining). This exclusive piece serves as a lasting tribute to those helping shape the future of Huskie Football.
Proceeds from the re-launch initiative will directly support the Boneyard Competitive Excellence Fund (
GIVE NOW). All commemorative items will be fulfilled prior to the start of the 2026 season. Huskie fans are encouraged to participate in this limited opportunity as NIU begins competition in the Mountain West Conference. HAF renewals are now live for the 2026-2027 season. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Huskie Athletic Fund at 815-753-1923.
