The 2026 WKU Football Schedule runs 12 regular-season games with five home matchups at L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Hilltoppers open September 5 at Nevada in a late-night CBS Sports Network kickoff, then play back-to-back Power 4 road games at Georgia and Indiana in September. Conference USA announced kickoff times and television assignments for the 2026 conference slate on May 27, locking the Hilltoppers into a fully scheduled slate with every single game carrying a confirmed time and network.
2026 WKU Hilltoppers Football Overview
Tyson Helton returns as the WKU head coach in 2026, leading the Hilltoppers in his eighth season at the helm. WKU competes in the Conference USA (CUSA) with a bye on Saturday, October 24 on the slate and the regular season closing at home vs Kennesaw State on Saturday, November 28 at 1:00 PM ET on an ESPN network.
2026 WKU Hilltoppers Football Schedule
| Wk | Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sat, Sep 5 | @ Nevada Wolf Pack | 10:30 PM | CBS Sports Network |
| 2 | Sat, Sep 12 | @ Georgia Bulldogs | 12:45 PM | SEC Network |
| 3 | Sat, Sep 19 | @ Indiana Hoosiers | 4:00 PM | Peacock |
| 4 | Sat, Sep 26 | vs Mercyhurst Lakers | 7:00 PM | ESPN+ |
| 5 | Thu, Oct 1 | @ New Mexico State Aggies | 8:00 PM | CBS Sports Network |
| 6 | Thu, Oct 8 | vs Missouri State Bears | 7:00 PM | CBS Sports Network |
| 7 | Wed, Oct 14 | @ Sam Houston Bearkats | 8:00 PM | ESPN2 |
| BYE | Sat, Oct 24 | Open Date – Bye Week | – | – |
| 9 | Tue, Oct 27 | vs Delaware Blue Hens | 7:00 PM | CBS Sports Network |
| 10 | Sat, Nov 7 | @ Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders | 3:30 PM | ESPN network |
| 11 | Sat, Nov 14 | vs Jacksonville State Gamecocks | 3:30 PM | ESPN network |
| 12 | Sat, Nov 21 | @ Liberty Flames | 1:00 PM | ESPN network |
| 13 | Sat, Nov 28 | vs Kennesaw State Owls | 1:00 PM | ESPN network |
All times Eastern. Bold entries are network-confirmed from the May 27, 2026 Conference USA broadcast release. ESPN network games will have specific channel and kickoff confirmed about 12 days before each game.
More 2026 College Football Resources
- 2026 College Football Schedule Hub (printable PDFs by team and conference)
- All Conference USA Team Schedule PDFs
2026 WKU Football FAQ
Who is WKU’s head coach in 2026?
Tyson Helton returns as the WKU head coach in 2026, in his eighth season leading the Hilltoppers.
How many home games does WKU have in 2026?
The WKU Hilltoppers have five home games on the 2026 schedule, all played at L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
When is WKU’s bye week in 2026?
WKU has a bye on Saturday, October 24 on the 2026 schedule.
Does WKU play any Power 4 opponents in 2026?
Yes. WKU plays back-to-back Power 4 road games in September, traveling to Georgia of the SEC on Saturday, September 12 and to Indiana of the Big Ten on Saturday, September 19.
When will WKU’s remaining game times and TV channels be announced?
Every WKU game in 2026 already has a confirmed time and network from the May 27 Conference USA broadcast release and the previously announced non-conference slate. ESPN network channel placement is finalized about 12 days before each game.
