Rutgers Football 2026 Schedule: Big Ten Battles, Home-Field Firepower, and a Loaded Offense Return
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers fans, mark your calendars. The Scarlet Knights are gearing up for a high-stakes 2026 campaign that features seven home games at SHI Stadium, including visits from Big Ten powerhouses and a non-conference slate that gives the team a chance to build momentum early. The schedule, unveiled Tuesday on Big Ten Network, sets the stage for a fall packed with storylines - and plenty of action in Piscataway.
Let’s break it down.
A Home-Heavy Start
Rutgers opens the season at home for the third straight year, kicking things off on a Thursday night (Sept. 3) against UMass. That’s one of four home games in the first five weeks - a stretch that could be critical for setting the tone.
After that opener, the Scarlet Knights hit the road for a Friday night clash at Boston College (Sept. 11), then return to host Howard on Sept. 26.
But the real fireworks begin in Week 3.
Welcome to the Big Ten: USC Comes to Town
Circle Sept. 19.
That’s when USC, one of the Big Ten’s newest (and most storied) additions, makes the cross-country trip to SHI Stadium. It’s a marquee matchup and a major opportunity for Rutgers to make a statement early in conference play.
From there, the Big Ten gauntlet continues with home games against Indiana (Oct. 3), Michigan (Oct.
31), Nebraska (Nov. 14), and Michigan State (Nov. 28).
That’s four conference home games after the USC showdown - and all of them carry weight in the race for bowl eligibility and beyond.
Road Tests and the Midseason Bye
The Scarlet Knights will hit the road for four Big Ten matchups: at Maryland (Oct. 17), Northwestern (Oct.
24), Wisconsin (Nov. 7), and Penn State (Nov. 21).
The open date falls on Oct. 10, breaking up that midseason stretch and giving the team a chance to regroup before the back half of the schedule heats up.
A Roster Built to Compete
The 2026 squad brings back some serious firepower. Three All-Americans return in key offensive roles: offensive lineman Kwabena Asamoah, who’s started 25 straight games in the trenches; wide receiver KJ Duff, who racked up 1,084 receiving yards last season; and running back Antwan Raymond, who powered his way to 1,241 rushing yards.
That trio helped Rutgers average 407.1 yards per game in 2025 - the program’s best mark since joining the Big Ten. With that kind of production returning, expectations are rising in Piscataway.
Excellence On and Off the Field
It’s not just on the gridiron where Rutgers is making noise. The program set a new standard in the classroom this past fall, with 65 student-athletes named to the Academic All-Big Ten team and a program-best 3.43 GPA. That kind of balance speaks volumes about the culture being built - and sustained - in the locker room.
Game Day Experience: More Than Just Football
For fans looking to elevate their Saturdays, the Provident Bank Stadium Club offers a premium experience inside SHI Stadium. With all-inclusive food and non-alcoholic beverages, two full-service cash bars, and padded outdoor seating with prime sightlines, it’s the only place in the stadium to grab a specialty or craft cocktail while staying locked into the action.
Season ticket holders enjoy perks like priority parking on Busch campus, flexible payment plans, and access to exclusive events - including a special summer gathering that’s still under wraps. There are also pricing options for Rutgers faculty and staff, band and cheer parents, letterwinners, young alumni (classes 2021-25), and grad students.
And if recent history is any indication, tickets will be in demand. SHI Stadium has sold out 12 times over the last four seasons, and with this schedule, that number could climb even higher.
The Road Ahead
Here’s the full 2026 slate for Rutgers Football:
- Sept. 3 (Thursday): UMass
- Sept. 11 (Friday): at Boston College
- Sept. 19: USC
- Sept. 26: Howard
- Oct. 3: Indiana
- Oct. 10: BYE
- Oct. 17: at Maryland
- Oct. 24: at Northwestern
- Oct. 31: Michigan
- Nov. 7: at Wisconsin
- **Nov.
14:** Nebraska
- Nov. 21: at Penn State
- Nov. 28: Michigan State
With a strong core returning, a fan base that’s shown up in droves, and a schedule loaded with opportunities, 2026 could be a defining year for Rutgers Football. The pieces are in place. Now it’s about execution - and making SHI Stadium one of the toughest places to play in the Big Ten.