It is that weird time of year in Iowa City. You know the one. The wind is whipping off the Iowa River, the salt is caked on your boots, and half the town is trying to remember if the game is on FOX or some streaming app they haven't downloaded yet. Whether you're standing in line at the Airliner or just arguing with your uncle over the latest Big Ten standings, one question always hangs in the air: who does Iowa play?
Honestly, keeping track of the Hawkeyes in 2026 feels like a full-time job. With the Big Ten expansion basically turning the conference into a cross-country tour, the "usual" schedule has gone out the window. We aren't just looking at the next week; we're looking at a year where the football rotation is shifting and the basketball court is seeing faces we barely recognize.
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The Immediate Slate: Who Does Iowa Play Today and This Week?
If you are looking for the absolute latest, the men’s basketball team is currently in the thick of a brutal January stretch. Right now, on Saturday, January 17, 2026, the Iowa men are at Indiana. They’re playing inside the legendary Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, and if you've ever seen a game there, you know it’s basically a horizontal skyscraper of noise. Tip-off was set for 1:10 p.m. (CT) on FOX.
Looking ahead to the rest of the month for Ben McCollum’s squad:
- January 20 (Tuesday): Back home at Carver-Hawkeye against Rutgers.
- January 28 (Wednesday): A midweek clash with one of the new kids, USC, also at home.
The women’s team, under Jan Jensen, is also keeping things busy at Carver. They just finished a battle with Oregon on the 15th and are prepping for a Sunday night showdown. On January 18, they host Michigan State at 7:00 p.m. (CT). It’s a "Letterwinner Celebration" night, so expect a lot of nostalgia in the building. After that, they hit the road to face Maryland on January 22 and then head out to the West Coast to see USC on January 29.
Football 2026: The Long-Term Look
I know, I know. It's January, but Iowans think about Kinnick Stadium 365 days a year. People are already asking who does Iowa play for the 2026 football season because the schedule is... well, it's interesting.
The non-conference slate is basically a tour of the state and its neighbors. They open up on September 5 against Northern Illinois. Then comes the big one. The Cy-Hawk game is back in Iowa City on September 12 against Iowa State. They wrap up the non-con on September 19 against Northern Iowa. Three straight home games to start the year is a gift from the schedule gods, honestly.
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But the Big Ten schedule is where the frequent flyer miles kick in. We don't have all the exact dates yet, but we know the dance partners.
Home Games at Kinnick:
- Nebraska: The Heroes Game stays a staple.
- Ohio State: This is the one everyone has circled. Having the Buckeyes in Iowa City is always a recipe for chaos.
- Purdue: The Boilermakers always seem to play Iowa tough, for better or worse.
- Wisconsin: The battle for the Heartland Trophy.
Road Trips to Prep For:
- Michigan: A trip to the Big House is never easy.
- Minnesota: Going after Floyd of Rosedale in Minneapolis.
- Northwestern: Usually a "home" game for Iowa fans in Chicago, though Northwestern's temporary stadium situation has been a whole thing lately.
- Washington: This is the big one. A flight to Seattle for a conference game still feels "sorta" wrong, but that's the new reality.
- Illinois: A shorter hop over to Champaign.
Why the Schedule Matters More in 2026
The reason everyone keeps asking who does Iowa play isn't just about curiosity. It’s about the playoffs. In the old days, a loss to a team like Ohio State or Michigan meant the Rose Bowl dream was toast. Now, with the 12-team playoff format firmly established, the strength of schedule is everything.
Iowa's 2026 path is high-risk, high-reward. If they can defend Kinnick against Ohio State and Wisconsin, and maybe steal a win in Seattle or Ann Arbor, they are a serious playoff threat. The defense under Phil Parker is—as always—the bedrock, but everyone is watching to see if the offense can finally find a consistent rhythm against these heavy hitters.
Actionable Steps for Hawkeye Fans
Don't get caught wondering if the game started an hour ago. Here is what you actually need to do to stay on top of the "who does Iowa play" saga:
- Sync the Calendar: Go to the official Hawkeye Sports website and use the "Add to Calendar" feature for your phone. It updates automatically if a game time shifts from "TBA" to an actual hour.
- Check the Apps: With the Big Ten's media deal, games are spread across FOX, CBS, NBC, and Peacock. If you don't have Peacock, you will miss a game. It's just a fact of life now.
- Monitor the Secondary Market: For those 2026 home games against Ohio State and Iowa State, prices are already creeping up in the "waitlist" and resale spheres. If you're planning a trip to Kinnick, February is usually the best time to look at lodging before the prices triple.
- Follow the Beat: Local reporters like those from the Des Moines Register or Cedar Rapids Gazette often get the "leaked" kickoff times a few days before the national networks officially post them.
The 2026 season is going to be a wild ride across multiple sports. Whether it's a Tuesday night at Carver or a Saturday at Kinnick, knowing the opponent is only half the battle—showing up and making enough noise to shake the water out of the pipes is the Iowa way.