The Wisconsin Badgers are embarking on their 2026 football season, seeking to rebound from an initial setback against a formidable Notre Dame squad. This article provides a comprehensive overview of their upcoming fixtures, including broadcast information and key details for each game. The team, under the guidance of Coach Luke Fickell, is eager to leverage its home field advantage at Camp Randall Stadium and contend within the highly competitive Big Ten conference.
The Badgers faced a challenging start to their season, suffering a significant 41-13 defeat against the then-No. 5 ranked Notre Dame. This opening loss has set the stage for a critical Week 2 encounter against Western Illinois, a team that has experienced its own share of challenging outcomes in recent seasons. Western Illinois arrives at Camp Randall following a 41-10 loss to Illinois State and previous substantial defeats to Illinois, Northwestern, and Indiana, suggesting a potential bounce-back opportunity for Wisconsin. The game is scheduled for September 12 at 6:15 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.
Following their home opener, Wisconsin will continue their non-conference schedule with a game against Eastern Michigan on September 19, kicking off at 11:30 a.m. ET on Peacock. This match will serve as the final tune-up before the Badgers delve into their demanding Big Ten conference schedule. The conference play begins on September 26 with an away game against a re-energized Penn State team, now led by Matt Campbell, formerly of Iowa State, indicating a significant shift in coaching philosophy and potentially team dynamics. Subsequently, Wisconsin will host Michigan State on October 3, with both Big Ten games' broadcast details to be announced.
October brings a mix of road and home challenges. After a bye week, the Badgers travel to the Rose Bowl to face UCLA on October 17, followed by a home game against USC on October 24. These matchups are particularly noteworthy as UCLA and USC are relatively new additions to the Big Ten, and both are looking to establish their presence within the conference. The Trojans, in particular, will be seeking to build on their strong 2025 season where they finished 9-4 overall. Wisconsin will then visit Iowa on October 31, a team that has historically presented a tough challenge for the Badgers, maintaining a consistent winning record under long-time coach Kirk Ferentz.
As the season progresses into November, Wisconsin will host Rutgers on November 7, aiming to extend their undefeated record against the Scarlet Knights. They will then hit the road for back-to-back games against Maryland on November 14 and Purdue on November 21. The game against Maryland offers a chance for redemption, as the Terrapins secured a rare victory over Wisconsin in 2025. The regular season concludes with a highly anticipated rivalry game against Minnesota on Black Friday, November 27, at Camp Randall Stadium, to be broadcast on NBC. This game, known as the 'Battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe,' always carries significant weight, with Minnesota having recently held the upper hand in the series.
The 2026 season for the Wisconsin Badgers promises an array of exciting football action, with a diverse schedule featuring both out-of-conference tests and rigorous Big Ten matchups. Coach Luke Fickell and his squad are poised to navigate these challenges, with a keen focus on improving from their opening week performance and making a strong statement in the conference. Fans are encouraged to follow live updates and broadcast information to catch all the pivotal moments of the Badgers' journey.
