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University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Game Themes for 2026 Season Announced
4/2/2026 8:37:00 AM | Football
Minnesota will host Eastern Illinois, Mississippi State, Akron, Michigan, Iowa, UCLA and Northwestern this year
Gopher Athletics announced today the game themes for the 2026 football season, which begins on Thursday, September 3 when Minnesota hosts Eastern Illinois at Huntington Bank Stadium. Minnesota will also welcome Mississippi State, Akron, Michigan, Iowa, UCLA and Northwestern to the North Star State this year.
Season tickets are available now and single game tickets will be available in the future.
The 2026 football game themes are listed below.
September 3 vs. Eastern Illinois - Home Opener
Minnesota will begin its 143rd season of football against Eastern Illinois. The Gophers are 99-37-6 all-time in season openers and 6-3 under head coach P.J. Fleck. Minnesota is 103-32-7 all-time in home openers. Minnesota is opening the season at home for the 14th straight year.
September 12 vs. Mississippi State - Gold Out & Champions Day
Fans are encouraged to wear Gold when the Gophers host Mississippi State. The game against Mississippi State will be the first meeting between the teams and will be just the third time ever that Minnesota hosts a team in the SEC at the time of the game. Minnesota previously hosted Vanderbilt in 1959 (20-6 win) and Tulane in 1935 (20-0 win) when it was previously in the SEC. Minnesota will also honor its champions from the 2025-26 school year at this game.
September 19 vs. Akron - High School Band, Cheer, and Dance Day
High school marching bands and spirit squads are invited to participate in the Gopher football pregame and halftime festivities. Minnesota high schools interested in learning more can reach out to mnmarch@umn.edu or gopherspiritsquad@gmail.com
October 5 vs. Michigan - Stripe Out & Family Weekend
Fans are encouraged to wear either Maroon or Gold based on their seating location, as each section in Huntington Bank Stadium will be assigned a color to complete the Stripe Out. Parent & Family Weekend is a great time to visit campus and enjoy some of the amazing activities and to explore the day-to-day life of students.
October 24 vs. Iowa - Maroon Out & Homecoming
Fans are encouraged to wear Maroon for Minnesota's Homecoming game against Iowa. This will be the 15th time that Iowa is Minnesota's Homecoming opponent. The weeklong Homecoming celebration will culminate with the football game where royalty selections will be announced at halftime.
November 7 vs. UCLA - Salute to Service
Gopher football will honor all active duty and retired service members when it plays UCLA. The community can support service members and help provide them with tickets to this game.
November 21 vs. Northwestern - Senior Day
Celebrate the football team's senior class prior to the final home game of the season against Northwestern.
Start times for home football games will be announced in the future.
Season tickets are available now and single game tickets will be available in the future.
The 2026 football game themes are listed below.
September 3 vs. Eastern Illinois - Home Opener
Minnesota will begin its 143rd season of football against Eastern Illinois. The Gophers are 99-37-6 all-time in season openers and 6-3 under head coach P.J. Fleck. Minnesota is 103-32-7 all-time in home openers. Minnesota is opening the season at home for the 14th straight year.
September 12 vs. Mississippi State - Gold Out & Champions Day
Fans are encouraged to wear Gold when the Gophers host Mississippi State. The game against Mississippi State will be the first meeting between the teams and will be just the third time ever that Minnesota hosts a team in the SEC at the time of the game. Minnesota previously hosted Vanderbilt in 1959 (20-6 win) and Tulane in 1935 (20-0 win) when it was previously in the SEC. Minnesota will also honor its champions from the 2025-26 school year at this game.
September 19 vs. Akron - High School Band, Cheer, and Dance Day
High school marching bands and spirit squads are invited to participate in the Gopher football pregame and halftime festivities. Minnesota high schools interested in learning more can reach out to mnmarch@umn.edu or gopherspiritsquad@gmail.com
October 5 vs. Michigan - Stripe Out & Family Weekend
Fans are encouraged to wear either Maroon or Gold based on their seating location, as each section in Huntington Bank Stadium will be assigned a color to complete the Stripe Out. Parent & Family Weekend is a great time to visit campus and enjoy some of the amazing activities and to explore the day-to-day life of students.
October 24 vs. Iowa - Maroon Out & Homecoming
Fans are encouraged to wear Maroon for Minnesota's Homecoming game against Iowa. This will be the 15th time that Iowa is Minnesota's Homecoming opponent. The weeklong Homecoming celebration will culminate with the football game where royalty selections will be announced at halftime.
November 7 vs. UCLA - Salute to Service
Gopher football will honor all active duty and retired service members when it plays UCLA. The community can support service members and help provide them with tickets to this game.
November 21 vs. Northwestern - Senior Day
Celebrate the football team's senior class prior to the final home game of the season against Northwestern.
Start times for home football games will be announced in the future.
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