EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Big Ten Conference announced the 2026 football schedule for the Michigan State Spartans and new head coach Pat Fitzgerald.
The schedule was released on Tuesday (Jan. 27) on the Big Ten Network.
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The 2026 schedule is here! 🗓️ pic.twitter.com/byCxk6s9qT
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) January 27, 2026
Michigan State’s three nonconference games are: Sept. 5 vs. Toledo, Sept. 12 vs. Eastern Michigan, and Sept. 19 at Notre Dame.
The Spartans will begin conference play on Sept. 26 at home against Nebraska.
They will then travel to Wisconsin on Oct. 3 before hosting Illinois on Oct. 10 and Northwestern on Oct. 17. Michigan State closes October with a road game at UCLA on Oct. 24.
After a bye week on Halloween, Michigan State will travel to Michigan for its rivalry game on Nov. 7, which has been pushed back a week this season.
The Spartans’ final two home games of the season will be against Washington on Nov. 14 and Oregon on Nov. 21. The regular-season finale is scheduled for Nov. 28 at Rutgers.
| Date | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Sept. 5 | Toledo |
| Sept. 12 | Eastern Michigan |
| Sept. 19 | at Notre Dame |
| Sept. 26 | Nebraska Cornhuskers |
| Oct. 3 | at Wisconsin Badgers |
| Oct. 10 | Illinois Fighting Illini |
| Oct. 17 | Northwestern Wildcats |
| Oct. 24 | at UCLA Bruins |
| Oct. 31 | BYE |
| Nov. 7 | at Michigan Wolverines |
| Nov. 14 | Washington Huskies |
| Nov. 21 | Oregon Ducks |
| Nov. 28 | Rutgers Scarlett Knights |