Eastern Michigan Athletics
EMU Adjusts Future Football Schedules
12/5/2025 10:00:00 AM | Football
Eastern adds Wisconsin in 2026 and Mercyhurst in 2027 and 2030
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football program announced adjustments to its future non-conference schedules Tuesday, Dec. 2. EMU will travel to the University of Wisconsin during the 2026 season, while adding a two-game series with Mercyhurst University in 2027 and 2030.
EMU's 2026 schedule has shifted slightly. Eastern will open the year by hosting San Jose State University, Sept. 5, before traveling to Michigan State University, Sept. 12. The Eagles will then travel to Madison, Wis. to take on the Badgers, Sept. 19, instead of a previously scheduled game at Marshall University. Then the Green and White return home to close out the non-conference slate against Lindenwood University, Sept. 26.
Additionally, Eastern will welcome Mercyhurst to Ypsilanti in 2027 and 2030. The Lakers, who are transitioning from Division II to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), posted a 5-7 record in 2025 during their first season in the Northeast Conference (NEC).
Over the past decade, EMU has reevaluated its overall philosophy for non-conference football scheduling. An emphasis was placed on securing home-and-home series with other members of the so-called "Group of Six," which includes the American Athletic Conference, Conference USA, the Mountain West Conference, the Pacific 12 Conference, and the Sun Belt Conference. In addition, the Eagles will still play at least one road contest versus a "Power Four School," which includes members from the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Big Ten Conference, the Big 12 Conference, and the Southeastern Conference.
EMU's non-conference schedule through 2031 is listed below. The Mid-American Conference schedule is usually released in early March.
Home games in BOLD CAPS
EMU's 2026 schedule has shifted slightly. Eastern will open the year by hosting San Jose State University, Sept. 5, before traveling to Michigan State University, Sept. 12. The Eagles will then travel to Madison, Wis. to take on the Badgers, Sept. 19, instead of a previously scheduled game at Marshall University. Then the Green and White return home to close out the non-conference slate against Lindenwood University, Sept. 26.
Additionally, Eastern will welcome Mercyhurst to Ypsilanti in 2027 and 2030. The Lakers, who are transitioning from Division II to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), posted a 5-7 record in 2025 during their first season in the Northeast Conference (NEC).
Over the past decade, EMU has reevaluated its overall philosophy for non-conference football scheduling. An emphasis was placed on securing home-and-home series with other members of the so-called "Group of Six," which includes the American Athletic Conference, Conference USA, the Mountain West Conference, the Pacific 12 Conference, and the Sun Belt Conference. In addition, the Eagles will still play at least one road contest versus a "Power Four School," which includes members from the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Big Ten Conference, the Big 12 Conference, and the Southeastern Conference.
EMU's non-conference schedule through 2031 is listed below. The Mid-American Conference schedule is usually released in early March.
| 2026 | ||
| Sept. | 5 | SAN JOSE STATE |
| Sept. | 12 | at Michigan State |
| Sept. | 19 | at Wisconsin |
| Sept. | 26 | LINDENWOOD |
| 2027 | ||
| Sept. | 3 | SAN DIEGO STATE |
| Sept. | 11 | MERCYHURST |
| Sept. | 18 | at Michigan |
| Sept. | 25 | at Georgia Southern |
| 2028 | ||
| Sept. | 2 | LIU |
| Sept. | 9 | at Indiana |
| Sept. | 16 | at Cincinnati |
| Sept. | 23 | MARSHALL |
| 2029 | ||
| Sept. | 1 | at San Jose State |
| Sept. | 8 | TBA |
| Sept. | 15 | TBA |
| Sept. | 22 | GEORGIA SOUTHERN |
| 2030 | ||
| Aug. | 29/30 | MERCYHERST |
| Sept. | 7 | at Michigan |
| Sept. | 14 | COASTAL CAROLINA |
| Sept. | 21 | at Army West Point |
| 2031 | ||
| Sept. | 6 | TBA |
| Sept. | 13 | TBA |
| Sept. | 20 | at Marshall |
| Sept. | 27 | TBA |
Home games in BOLD CAPS
National Signing Day - Behind the Scenes
Wednesday, December 03
2026 EMU Football Early Signing Day Show
Wednesday, December 03
EMU Football Signing Day: Aaron Kearse
Wednesday, December 03
EMU Football Signing Day: Adon Turner
Wednesday, December 03