Iowa Football Kicks Off 2026 Season Against Northern Illinois on Sept. 5
The 2026 college football season is nearly here, and for Iowa Hawkeyes fans, the wait ends Saturday, September 5. That is when the Hawkeyes host Northern Illinois at Kinnick Stadium in a Week 1 matchup that promises to set the tone for the season.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. ET on the Big Ten Network, part of a packed opening weekend that includes several games on FOX and its family of networks. The game is a regular-season contest and counts toward each team's record.
When Does the 2026 College Football Season Start?
The 2026 FCS season begins Thursday, August 27. The FBS season starts two days later on Saturday, August 29, with a limited Week 0 schedule. That opening slate includes North Carolina versus TCU in Dublin, Ireland, at noon ET on ESPN.
Week 0 is the name given to the small group of games played before the first full week of the season. These are regular-season contests, not preseason exhibitions.
What Are the Key Week 1 Dates for Iowa Fans?
Week 1 of the 2026 college football season runs from Thursday, September 3 through Monday, September 7. The first full Saturday is September 5, when most marquee opening-weekend matchups will be played during Labor Day weekend.
FOX's Big Noon Kickoff returns for the new season at 10 a.m. ET on September 5, broadcasting from Bloomington, Indiana, as it celebrates the reigning national champion Indiana Hoosiers.
Iowa's Week 1 Opponent: Northern Illinois
The Hawkeyes face the Northern Illinois Huskies at Kinnick Stadium. Northern Illinois is a Mid-American Conference program that has historically been a tough non-conference opponent. The game kicks off at 4:15 p.m. ET on BTN.
This is a critical early test for Iowa, which is looking to build momentum under head coach Kirk Ferentz. The Hawkeyes will aim to start strong and establish their identity on both sides of the ball.
Other Notable Week 1 Matchups on FOX Networks
Several other Big Ten teams are in action on FOX and its affiliates during Week 1:
- Ohio at Nebraska, Saturday, Sept. 5, noon ET (FS1)
- North Texas at Indiana, Saturday, Sept. 5, noon ET (FOX)
- Ball State at Ohio State, Saturday, Sept. 5, 12:30 p.m. ET (BTN)
- Boston College at Cincinnati, Saturday, Sept. 5, 3:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
- Marshall at Penn State, Saturday, Sept. 5, 3:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
- South Dakota State at Northwestern, Saturday, Sept. 5, 8 p.m. ET (BTN)
How to Watch Iowa vs. Northern Illinois and Other Games
Week 0 and Week 1 games will air across FOX, FS1, ABC, CBS, ESPN, NBC and Peacock, along with conference-focused networks such as Big Ten Network, SEC Network and ACC Network.
For fans without cable, live-streaming services that carry FOX and FS1 include YouTube TV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV and Fubo. Channel and local-affiliate availability varies by service, package and market. If you have an antenna in a good reception area, you can also watch FOX's college football coverage on your local FOX station.
Check the Federal Communications Commission's TV reception maps to see which stations are available in your area.
Can the 2026 College Football Schedule Change?
Yes. Kickoff times, television networks and game locations can change before the season begins. Fans should check the latest matchup information from official sources.
For Iowa fans, the focus is clear: September 5 at Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes are ready to open the season, and the state of Iowa is ready for another year of college football.