University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Ceci De Young
Gophers Announce 2026-27 Nonconference Schedule
8/21/2026 11:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nine home games highlight Minnesota’s upcoming nonconference schedule at The Barn.
MINNEAPOLIS - Coming off Minnesota's first Sweet 16 appearance in over 20 seasons, fourth-year head coach Dawn Plitzuweit and the Golden Gophers announced another challenging nonconference schedule for the 2026-27 season.
The schedule features 13 games, including nine home contests at The Barn supported by Blue Cross Blue Shield. Minnesota will also play three neutral-site games and one true road game during its nonconference slate.
Single-game tickets will go on sale at a later date. Television and streaming coverage, tipoff times and the promotional schedule will also be announced later. Fans can secure their seats for all home games by purchasing season tickets at GopherSports.com.
Every nonconference opponent Minnesota will face reached its respective conference tournament, including six postseason teams: two NCAA Tournament qualifiers (Southern, Missouri State), three Women's Basketball Invitational Tournament teams (Harvard, Kansas State, Kansas) and one Women's National Invitation Tournament participant (Mercyhurst). Southern and Missouri State also were crowned conference champions after winning their respective tournaments.
The Gophers open against top Ivy League competitor Harvard at home Nov. 2. The Crimson have reached seven NCAA Tournaments and won the 2025 Ivy League Tournament. In 2026, they fell in the semifinals of the WBIT.
Minnesota's first road trip will take them to Milwaukee, Wis., for a Nov. 7 matchup against BIG EAST opponent Marquette.
The Maroon and Gold will return home Nov. 10 to face 2025 SWAC Champions Southern at The Barn before traveling to Sioux Falls, S.D., to compete in the MarketBeat Invitational. Held at the Pentagon, Minnesota will clash with Big 12 contender Kansas State in a neutral-site battle Nov. 14.
Returning to The Barn, the Gophers welcome Power Four opponent, Big 12 member Kansas, on Nov. 18, followed by a nonconference battle against Central Michigan on Nov. 22.
Minnesota's third road trip takes the team to international waters for the 2026 Cancun Challenge in Cancun, Mexico. The elite multiteam event pits the Gophers against 2025 CUSA Champion Missouri State on Nov. 26 before a showdown against Big 12 opponent Cincinnati on Nov. 27.
The nonconference schedule continues at The Barn for five more home games starting with a tilt against St. Thomas on Dec. 1.
The Maroon and Gold will then face Northern Iowa on Dec. 9, UMKC on Dec. 12, Mercyhurst on Dec. 15, and Grambling State on Dec. 20.
2026-27 Nonconference Schedule
Nov. 2 - Harvard
Nov. 7 - at Marquette
Nov. 10 - Southern
Nov. 14 - Kansas State (at the Pentagon)
Nov. 18 - Kansas
Nov. 22 - Central Michigan
Nov. 26 - Missouri State (Cancun)
Nov. 27 - Cincinnati (Cancun)
Dec. 1 - St. Thomas
Dec. 9 - Northern Iowa
Dec. 12 - UMKC
Dec. 15 - Mercyhurst
Dec. 20 - Grambling State
The schedule features 13 games, including nine home contests at The Barn supported by Blue Cross Blue Shield. Minnesota will also play three neutral-site games and one true road game during its nonconference slate.
Single-game tickets will go on sale at a later date. Television and streaming coverage, tipoff times and the promotional schedule will also be announced later. Fans can secure their seats for all home games by purchasing season tickets at GopherSports.com.
Every nonconference opponent Minnesota will face reached its respective conference tournament, including six postseason teams: two NCAA Tournament qualifiers (Southern, Missouri State), three Women's Basketball Invitational Tournament teams (Harvard, Kansas State, Kansas) and one Women's National Invitation Tournament participant (Mercyhurst). Southern and Missouri State also were crowned conference champions after winning their respective tournaments.
The Gophers open against top Ivy League competitor Harvard at home Nov. 2. The Crimson have reached seven NCAA Tournaments and won the 2025 Ivy League Tournament. In 2026, they fell in the semifinals of the WBIT.
Minnesota's first road trip will take them to Milwaukee, Wis., for a Nov. 7 matchup against BIG EAST opponent Marquette.
The Maroon and Gold will return home Nov. 10 to face 2025 SWAC Champions Southern at The Barn before traveling to Sioux Falls, S.D., to compete in the MarketBeat Invitational. Held at the Pentagon, Minnesota will clash with Big 12 contender Kansas State in a neutral-site battle Nov. 14.
Returning to The Barn, the Gophers welcome Power Four opponent, Big 12 member Kansas, on Nov. 18, followed by a nonconference battle against Central Michigan on Nov. 22.
Minnesota's third road trip takes the team to international waters for the 2026 Cancun Challenge in Cancun, Mexico. The elite multiteam event pits the Gophers against 2025 CUSA Champion Missouri State on Nov. 26 before a showdown against Big 12 opponent Cincinnati on Nov. 27.
The nonconference schedule continues at The Barn for five more home games starting with a tilt against St. Thomas on Dec. 1.
The Maroon and Gold will then face Northern Iowa on Dec. 9, UMKC on Dec. 12, Mercyhurst on Dec. 15, and Grambling State on Dec. 20.
2026-27 Nonconference Schedule
Nov. 2 - Harvard
Nov. 7 - at Marquette
Nov. 10 - Southern
Nov. 14 - Kansas State (at the Pentagon)
Nov. 18 - Kansas
Nov. 22 - Central Michigan
Nov. 26 - Missouri State (Cancun)
Nov. 27 - Cincinnati (Cancun)
Dec. 1 - St. Thomas
Dec. 9 - Northern Iowa
Dec. 12 - UMKC
Dec. 15 - Mercyhurst
Dec. 20 - Grambling State
Friday, August 07
Wednesday, July 08
Friday, July 03
Monday, June 22