Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan Announces 2026 Football Schedule
3/24/2026 10:52:00 AM | Football
Watch: Release Video2026 ScheduleBuy Season TicketsRenew Season Tickets2026 Schedule Quick Facts (PDF)MAC Release
Chippewas to host six home games in 2026, including five in September and October, along with Western Michigan on Saturday, Oct. 17; Homecoming scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3 vs. Akron; Season Tickets on Sale Now!
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—Six home games, including five early-season contests in the months of September and October and a Saturday, Oct. 17 matchup against rival Western Michigan, highlight Central Michigan's 2026 football schedule as CMU Athletics and the Mid-American Conference announced dates for the Chippewas' upcoming season on Tuesday. Central Michigan and the MAC will announce kickoff times and television appearances at a later date. Central Michigan's entire 2026 schedule can be found at this link.
2026 Central Michigan Football season tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, March 24 at 11 a.m. Tickets can be purchased or renewed through Ticket Central at www.cmuchippewas.com or by calling the CMU Athletics Ticket Office at (989) 774-3045. Lock in your tickets for the best seats at the best value. More details on season ticket renewals will be e-mailed out to season ticket holders in the coming days.
Head Coach Matt Drinkall's Chippewas will play six home games at Kramer/Deromedi Field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium in 2026. Central Michigan will play its home opener against Football Championship Subdivision opponent Colgate on Saturday, Sept. 12, then host Wyoming on Saturday, Sept. 19. The Chippewas will open MAC play with the annual Homecoming Game vs. Akron on Saturday, Oct. 3, followed by home games against Western Michigan (Saturday, Oct. 17), Miami, Ohio (Saturday, Oct. 24), and first-year MAC football member Sacramento State (Wednesday, Nov. 11).
After playing mostly Saturday games, the Chippewas begin their weeknight MACtion schedule on Wednesday, Nov. 4 with its previously announced game vs. Eastern Michigan at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich. CMU and EMU have agreed to play the next two seasons at Ford Field.
Central Michigan will also play five road contests in 2026. The Chippewas open their season on the road at New Mexico for a Saturday, Sept. 5 contest in Albuquerque, N.M. Following back-to-back home games, Central plays at 2025 national runner-up Miami, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 26 before beginning MAC play. CMU will travel to Ohio for a Saturday, Oct. 10 contest, along with trips to Buffalo (Wednesday, Nov. 18) and Ball State (Saturday, Nov. 28) for its regular season finale.
The 2026 MAC Championship game is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5 at Ford Field in Detroit.
Five of the Chippewas' 2026 opponents played in bowl games last season including Miami (Fla.), Miami (Ohio), New Mexico, Ohio, and Western Michigan.
Central Michigan is in its second week of spring football practice. It hosted its 2026 NFL Pro Day on Wednesday, March 18. The Chippewas' spring game is scheduled for the evening of Tuesday, April 21.
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2026 Central Michigan Football season tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, March 24 at 11 a.m. Tickets can be purchased or renewed through Ticket Central at www.cmuchippewas.com or by calling the CMU Athletics Ticket Office at (989) 774-3045. Lock in your tickets for the best seats at the best value. More details on season ticket renewals will be e-mailed out to season ticket holders in the coming days.
Head Coach Matt Drinkall's Chippewas will play six home games at Kramer/Deromedi Field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium in 2026. Central Michigan will play its home opener against Football Championship Subdivision opponent Colgate on Saturday, Sept. 12, then host Wyoming on Saturday, Sept. 19. The Chippewas will open MAC play with the annual Homecoming Game vs. Akron on Saturday, Oct. 3, followed by home games against Western Michigan (Saturday, Oct. 17), Miami, Ohio (Saturday, Oct. 24), and first-year MAC football member Sacramento State (Wednesday, Nov. 11).
After playing mostly Saturday games, the Chippewas begin their weeknight MACtion schedule on Wednesday, Nov. 4 with its previously announced game vs. Eastern Michigan at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich. CMU and EMU have agreed to play the next two seasons at Ford Field.
Central Michigan will also play five road contests in 2026. The Chippewas open their season on the road at New Mexico for a Saturday, Sept. 5 contest in Albuquerque, N.M. Following back-to-back home games, Central plays at 2025 national runner-up Miami, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 26 before beginning MAC play. CMU will travel to Ohio for a Saturday, Oct. 10 contest, along with trips to Buffalo (Wednesday, Nov. 18) and Ball State (Saturday, Nov. 28) for its regular season finale.
The 2026 MAC Championship game is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5 at Ford Field in Detroit.
Five of the Chippewas' 2026 opponents played in bowl games last season including Miami (Fla.), Miami (Ohio), New Mexico, Ohio, and Western Michigan.
Central Michigan is in its second week of spring football practice. It hosted its 2026 NFL Pro Day on Wednesday, March 18. The Chippewas' spring game is scheduled for the evening of Tuesday, April 21.
Follow Central Michigan Football: TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
—CMU—
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