Michigan football releases 2026 schedule for first season under head coach Kyle Whittingham

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The University of Michigan Athletic Department and the Big Ten Conference announced the 2026 football schedule for the first season under new head coach Kyle Whittingham and his Michigan Wolverines.

The schedule, which features eight home games, including all four in September, was announced on Tuesday (Jan. 27).

Michigan will kick off its 147th football season with three non-conference home games: Western Michigan on Sept. 5, Oklahoma on Sept. 12, and UTEP on Sept. 19.

Following these, the Wolverines will begin their nine-game Big Ten schedule.

The conference opener will be at home against Iowa on Sept. 26, marking Michigan’s 120th Big Ten conference opener at Michigan Stadium.

Michigan’s first road game of the season will be Oct. 3 at Minnesota’s Huntington Bank Stadium.

The Wolverines and Golden Gophers will compete for the Little Brown Jug, college football’s oldest trophy, in the 100th meeting of this historic rivalry.

Michigan holds a commanding 74-23-2 record in the previous 99 contests.

After a bye week, Michigan returns home for back-to-back games against Penn State on Oct. 17 and defending national champion Indiana on Oct. 24.

The Wolverines will then travel to Rutgers for an Oct. 31 game.

The annual rivalry game against Michigan State has been pushed back a week and will take place Nov. 7 at Michigan Stadium.

The two teams will battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy in the 74th meeting of this series.

Michigan leads the series 42-29-2 and holds a 75-38-5 advantage overall in the rivalry, which dates back to 1898.

The Wolverines will then travel to Eugene, Oregon, for their first matchup against the Ducks as conference opponents on Nov. 14 at Autzen Stadium.

A week later, the Wolverines will host new Big Ten opponent UCLA at Michigan Stadium on Nov. 21.

The regular season will conclude with the 122nd meeting of “The Game” against Ohio State on Nov. 28 at Ohio Stadium.

Michigan has won its last two trips to Columbus, 45-23 in 2022 and 13-10 in 2024, and holds a 62-53-6 advantage in the all-time series.