IOWA CITY, Iowa — Iowa football fans will have two opportunities to watch the Hawkeyes under the national spotlight on Friday nights during the 2026 season.
According to the program's newly released schedule, Iowa will play two Friday contests, including its traditional Black Friday rivalry game against Nebraska at Kinnick Stadium and a Friday night road matchup against Washington on Oct. 9.
The scheduling decision gives the Hawkeyes additional standalone television windows and increased national visibility during a season expected to draw significant attention across the Big Ten Conference.
Black Friday tradition continues
The annual Iowa-Nebraska rivalry remains one of college football's most anticipated post-Thanksgiving matchups. The Black Friday game has become a fixture for fans across Iowa and the Midwest, regularly drawing strong television audiences and carrying conference implications.
Hosting Nebraska in Iowa City on a Friday allows the Hawkeyes to maintain one of the program's most recognizable traditions while benefiting from a national broadcast audience.
Road test at Washington
Iowa will also travel to Washington for a Friday night contest on Oct. 9, creating another high-profile opportunity in one of the nation's premier conferences.
The matchup is expected to provide additional exposure for both programs as the expanded Big Ten continues to feature coast-to-coast competition and prime-time television scheduling.
What it means for Iowa
For Hawkeye fans, the two Friday games offer increased national attention and unique viewing opportunities. For the university and local businesses around Iowa City, nationally televised games can help showcase the program and community to a broader audience.
As the Big Ten continues to evolve following recent conference expansion, Iowa's placement in multiple standalone television windows signals the program's continued importance within one of college football's most influential leagues.