Indiana football fans, circle April 23 on your calendars - that’s when Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers will take the field for their 2026 spring game. The announcement came straight from Cignetti during a recent appearance on The Triple Option podcast with Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, and Rob Stone.
The timing isn’t just a coincidence. The game lands during one of Bloomington’s busiest and most spirited weeks - the annual Little 500. That’s a big win for fans looking to soak up the full IU experience, with bikes by day and football under the lights.
As for the game itself, the format won’t stray far from what Hoosier fans have seen in recent years. But what will be new is the talent on display.
Quarterback Josh Hoover is expected to take center stage, and all eyes will be on how he commands the offense. He’s one of several fresh faces Cignetti and his staff are eager to showcase.
Running back Turbo Richard brings speed and power to the backfield, while cornerback AJ Harris is already turning heads in the secondary. These aren’t just depth pieces - they’re players who could carve out major roles this fall.
This spring game also marks the third straight year Indiana has held a full public scrimmage under Cignetti, after the program briefly shifted to a closed practice format back in 2023. That decision to bring the spring game back in 2024 was a clear signal: Indiana wants its fans involved, and it wants to build momentum well before the season kicks off.
The turnout last year showed that the fanbase is buying in - and with good reason. The Hoosiers are building something, and the energy around the program is different.
One notable change this year? There won’t be a spring transfer portal window.
That’s a shift from past years, when Indiana made some key late additions - like defensive tackle CJ West in 2024. Without that option, the focus now turns inward.
It’s about development, chemistry, and giving the current roster a chance to gel heading into summer workouts.
So, whether you're there to scout the new QB, check out the defense, or just enjoy a football fix during Little 500 week, this year’s spring game promises to be more than just a scrimmage. It’s a checkpoint for a program trying to climb in the Big Ten, and a chance for fans to get an early look at what’s coming next.