The 2026 Iowa State Cyclones football schedule features a 12-game Big 12 slate with seven home games at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, including the annual Cy-Hawk rivalry road game at Iowa on September 12. The Cyclones host key Big 12 opponents including Utah, West Virginia, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati, and Kansas State across a home-heavy fall. Iowa State opens the 2026 season on September 5 at home against SE Missouri State.
2026 Iowa State Cyclones Football Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sep 5 | SE Missouri State | Home |
| 2 | Sep 12 | @ Iowa | Away |
| 3 | Sep 19 | Bowling Green | Home |
| 4 | Sep 26 | Utah | Home |
| 5 | Oct 3 | West Virginia | Home |
| 6 | Oct 10 | @ BYU | Away |
| BYE | Oct 17 | BYE WEEK | — |
| 7 | Oct 24 | @ Arizona | Away |
| 8 | Oct 31 | Oklahoma State | Home |
| 9 | Nov 7 | @ Baylor | Away |
| 10 | Nov 14 | Cincinnati | Home |
| 11 | Nov 20 | @ UCF | Away |
| 12 | Nov 28 | Kansas State | Home |
Iowa State’s 2026 Big 12 schedule includes key home conference games against Utah (Sep. 26), West Virginia (Oct. 3), Oklahoma State (Oct. 31), Cincinnati (Nov. 14), and Kansas State (Nov. 28). Road Big 12 tests at BYU (Oct. 10), Arizona (Oct. 24), Baylor (Nov. 7), and UCF (Nov. 20) round out a schedule that will determine the Cyclones postseason positioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Cy-Hawk game in 2026?
Iowa State travels to Iowa City for the Cy-Hawk rivalry game against Iowa on September 12, 2026. The annual in-state matchup between the Cyclones and Hawkeyes is consistently one of the most intense rivalries in the Midwest.
When does Iowa State play Kansas State in 2026?
Iowa State hosts Kansas State at Jack Trice Stadium on November 28, 2026 in the regular season finale. The matchup is part of the Big 12 schedule and could carry significant conference standings implications heading into bowl season.
Where do the Iowa State Cyclones play home games in 2026?
Iowa State plays home games at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa. The stadium seats approximately 61,000 fans and is named after Jack Trice, the first Black athlete to compete for Iowa State. It is the largest stadium in Iowa and has been a home-field advantage during the program strong run of Big 12 competitiveness.
