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.
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