Eastern Michigan Athletics
2026 Eastern Michigan Football Schedule Announced
3/24/2026 11:00:00 AM | Football
The slate opens in Week 0 and features three September home games
2026Schedule | Purchase Season Tickets | Make a Donation | Spring Prospectus (PDF)
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University revealed its complete 2026 football schedule, which blends early home opportunities, national-stage matchups, and a competitive Mid-American Conference path. The 12-game schedule begins in Week 0 for the first time in program history and includes three home games before the end of September.
Tickets for the 2026 season are on sale now. Season ticket packages offer clear pricing, strong value, and access to six total home experiences, including Motor City MACtion at Ford Field, Nov. 4, versus Central Michigan University. Fans gain priority seating, exclusive events, and additional benefits tied to early purchase deadlines. Tickets are available at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by phone at 734.487.3669, or at the EMU Ticket Office.
Eastern Michigan will open the 2026 season Saturday, Aug. 29, against Sacramento State University, marking the program's 13th August game and the third-earliest opener in school history, just one day shy of the earliest. The program's first appearance in Week 0, the matchup places EMU among a limited group of FBS programs selected to launch the college football season ahead of Labor Day weekend. It also marks the first meeting between the programs as Sac State transitions from the FCS to the FBS.
The opener also begins conference play, the first time EMU has opened a complete 12-game season with a MAC contest since 2012, and the first MAC home opener to start a season since 2004. Eastern has opened league play on the road in seven of the last 10 seasons, making this early home opportunity a key advantage.
Week 1 continues the momentum Friday, Sept. 4, when San Jose State University visits Rynearson Stadium. The game serves as a rematch of both the 1987 California Bowl and the 2022 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, both won by EMU, and marks the first regular-season meeting between the programs.
Eastern then heads on the road for a pair of Power Four matchups, opening Saturday, Sept. 12, at Michigan State University before traveling to the University of Wisconsin on Saturday, Sept. 19. The stretch puts the Eagles on two of college football's biggest stages and tests them against nationally recognized opponents. Under head coach Chris Creighton, Eastern Michigan has already shown it belongs in those spots, earning road wins over Rutgers University, Purdue University, and the University of Illinois in three straight seasons from 2017-19, and additionally added a road win at Arizona State University in 2022.
The non-conference schedule concludes Saturday, Sept. 26, when Lindenwood visits Rynearson Stadium. That game completes a stretch of three home contests in the season's first four weeks and sets the tone for a strong home presence.
All told, Eastern Michigan hosts three home games before September ends for the first time since 2015.
Conference play continues with a road game at the University of Massachusetts, Oct. 3, followed by a trip to the University of Akron, Oct. 10. Eastern returns home Oct. 17 to face the University of Toledo in a key MAC matchup before traveling to Ohio University, Oct. 24.
Eastern enters the final stretch with a bye week Oct. 31, then returns to action Wednesday, Nov. 4, against Central Michigan at Ford Field in Detroit. The rivalry game adds a sixth home experience for season ticket holders and places fans inside one of the Midwest's premier venues.
The contest will mark the 104th all-time meeting between EMU and CMU, the longest-running rivalry in the league. It is also the second-longest-running series within the state of Michigan, trailing only the Michigan-Michigan State series.
After a second bye week Nov. 14, Eastern closes the regular season with two games in a seven-day span. The Eagles travel to Western Michigan University Tuesday, Nov. 17, before hosting Kent State University Tuesday, Nov. 24, for senior day.
The season concludes with the MAC Championship Game Saturday, Dec. 5, at Ford Field.
The 2026 home schedule features five games at Rynearson Stadium, plus the Ford Field matchup. Season ticket holders gain access to all six experiences, expanding value across the full schedule.
Premium seating options include Suites and Loge tables, offering upgraded comfort and hosting opportunities. The Ultimate Fan Chairback package provides 50-yard-line seating with VIP parking and added space. Traditional options remain accessible, with Reserved and General Admission pricing designed for individuals, families, and groups.
Eastern returns key production in 2026, led by quarterback Noah Kim. He threw for 2,817 yards in 2025, led the MAC, and accounted for 24 total touchdowns. The offense adds proven transfers and a deep signing class, while the defense gains size and experience across all position groups.
Eastern Michigan is in the midst of spring practice, culminating in the annual spring game Friday, April 17. The MAC will release an updated schedule later this spring that includes game times and television designations for the first three weeks of the regular season, along with its nationally recognized midweek MACtion schedule. All remaining game times and television assignments will be announced 12 days prior to each game. MAC football games will once again be featured across ESPN networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+) and CBS Sports Network.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University revealed its complete 2026 football schedule, which blends early home opportunities, national-stage matchups, and a competitive Mid-American Conference path. The 12-game schedule begins in Week 0 for the first time in program history and includes three home games before the end of September.
Tickets for the 2026 season are on sale now. Season ticket packages offer clear pricing, strong value, and access to six total home experiences, including Motor City MACtion at Ford Field, Nov. 4, versus Central Michigan University. Fans gain priority seating, exclusive events, and additional benefits tied to early purchase deadlines. Tickets are available at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by phone at 734.487.3669, or at the EMU Ticket Office.
Eastern Michigan will open the 2026 season Saturday, Aug. 29, against Sacramento State University, marking the program's 13th August game and the third-earliest opener in school history, just one day shy of the earliest. The program's first appearance in Week 0, the matchup places EMU among a limited group of FBS programs selected to launch the college football season ahead of Labor Day weekend. It also marks the first meeting between the programs as Sac State transitions from the FCS to the FBS.
The opener also begins conference play, the first time EMU has opened a complete 12-game season with a MAC contest since 2012, and the first MAC home opener to start a season since 2004. Eastern has opened league play on the road in seven of the last 10 seasons, making this early home opportunity a key advantage.
Week 1 continues the momentum Friday, Sept. 4, when San Jose State University visits Rynearson Stadium. The game serves as a rematch of both the 1987 California Bowl and the 2022 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, both won by EMU, and marks the first regular-season meeting between the programs.
Eastern then heads on the road for a pair of Power Four matchups, opening Saturday, Sept. 12, at Michigan State University before traveling to the University of Wisconsin on Saturday, Sept. 19. The stretch puts the Eagles on two of college football's biggest stages and tests them against nationally recognized opponents. Under head coach Chris Creighton, Eastern Michigan has already shown it belongs in those spots, earning road wins over Rutgers University, Purdue University, and the University of Illinois in three straight seasons from 2017-19, and additionally added a road win at Arizona State University in 2022.
The non-conference schedule concludes Saturday, Sept. 26, when Lindenwood visits Rynearson Stadium. That game completes a stretch of three home contests in the season's first four weeks and sets the tone for a strong home presence.
All told, Eastern Michigan hosts three home games before September ends for the first time since 2015.
Conference play continues with a road game at the University of Massachusetts, Oct. 3, followed by a trip to the University of Akron, Oct. 10. Eastern returns home Oct. 17 to face the University of Toledo in a key MAC matchup before traveling to Ohio University, Oct. 24.
Eastern enters the final stretch with a bye week Oct. 31, then returns to action Wednesday, Nov. 4, against Central Michigan at Ford Field in Detroit. The rivalry game adds a sixth home experience for season ticket holders and places fans inside one of the Midwest's premier venues.
The contest will mark the 104th all-time meeting between EMU and CMU, the longest-running rivalry in the league. It is also the second-longest-running series within the state of Michigan, trailing only the Michigan-Michigan State series.
After a second bye week Nov. 14, Eastern closes the regular season with two games in a seven-day span. The Eagles travel to Western Michigan University Tuesday, Nov. 17, before hosting Kent State University Tuesday, Nov. 24, for senior day.
The season concludes with the MAC Championship Game Saturday, Dec. 5, at Ford Field.
The 2026 home schedule features five games at Rynearson Stadium, plus the Ford Field matchup. Season ticket holders gain access to all six experiences, expanding value across the full schedule.
Premium seating options include Suites and Loge tables, offering upgraded comfort and hosting opportunities. The Ultimate Fan Chairback package provides 50-yard-line seating with VIP parking and added space. Traditional options remain accessible, with Reserved and General Admission pricing designed for individuals, families, and groups.
Eastern returns key production in 2026, led by quarterback Noah Kim. He threw for 2,817 yards in 2025, led the MAC, and accounted for 24 total touchdowns. The offense adds proven transfers and a deep signing class, while the defense gains size and experience across all position groups.
Eastern Michigan is in the midst of spring practice, culminating in the annual spring game Friday, April 17. The MAC will release an updated schedule later this spring that includes game times and television designations for the first three weeks of the regular season, along with its nationally recognized midweek MACtion schedule. All remaining game times and television assignments will be announced 12 days prior to each game. MAC football games will once again be featured across ESPN networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+) and CBS Sports Network.
2026 EMU Football Schedule
Saturday, Aug. 29 – SACRAMENTO STATE*
Friday, Sept. 4 – SAN JOSE STATE
Saturday, Sept. 12 – at Michigan State
Saturday, Sept. 19 – at Wisconsin
Saturday, Sept. 26 – LINDENWOOD
Saturday, Oct. 3 – at UMass*
Saturday, Oct. 10 – at Akron*
Saturday, Oct. 17 – TOLEDO*
Saturday, Oct. 24 – at Ohio*
Wednesday, Nov. 4 – CENTRAL MICHIGAN* (Ford Field)
Tuesday, Nov. 17 – at Western Michigan*
Tuesday, Nov. 24 – KENT STATE*
Saturday, Dec. 5 – MAC Championship (Ford Field)
Home games in BOLD CAPS
* - Mid-American Conference game
Times and dates are subject to change
2026 Eastern Michigan Football Schedule
Tuesday, March 24
Cinematic Recap: Pro Day 2026
Wednesday, March 18
2026 EMU Football Pro Day
Tuesday, March 17
Motor City MACtion: Eastern Michigan-Central Michigan Football to Play at Ford Field
Wednesday, January 21