2026 Penn State Football Schedule

The Penn State Nittany Lions open the 2026 season at Beaver Stadium against Marshall on September 5. The Nittany Lions then travel to Philadelphia to face Temple before returning home for Buffalo and Wisconsin.

The schedule becomes much tougher in October, with games against No. 14 USC and No. 16 Michigan. Penn State also has a major road test against No. 17 Washington in November.

2026 Penn State Football Schedule

DateOpponentLocationTime (ET)TV
Sat., Sep. 5MarshallBeaver Stadium, University Park, PA3:30 p.m.FS1
Sat., Sep. 12at TempleLincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA12:00 p.m.ESPN2
Sat., Sep. 19BuffaloBeaver Stadium, University Park, PA12:00 p.m.BTN
Sat., Sep. 26WisconsinBeaver Stadium, University Park, PATBDTV TBD
Fri., Oct. 2at NorthwesternRyan Field, Evanston, IL8:00 p.m.FOX
Sat., Oct. 10No. 14 USCBeaver Stadium, University Park, PATBDTV TBD
Sat., Oct. 17at No. 16 MichiganMichigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MITBDTV TBD
Sat., Oct. 24BYE
Sat., Oct. 31PurdueBeaver Stadium, University Park, PATBDTV TBD
Sat., Nov. 7at No. 17 WashingtonHusky Stadium, Seattle, WATBDTV TBD
Sat., Nov. 14MinnesotaBeaver Stadium, University Park, PATBDTV TBD
Sat., Nov. 21RutgersBeaver Stadium, University Park, PATBDTV TBD
Sat., Nov. 28at MarylandSECU Stadium, College Park, MDTBDTV TBD
Sat., Dec. 5Big Ten ChampionshipLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN8:00 p.m.FOX

Penn State’s 2026 schedule features several important Big Ten games and three notable matchups against ranked opponents: USC, Michigan and Washington. The October 17 trip to Michigan and November 7 visit to Washington could be particularly important for the Nittany Lions’ postseason hopes.

If Penn State reaches the conference championship, the Big Ten Championship Game will be played December 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.