MACOMB, IL – Western Illinois football announced its 2026 schedule on Tuesday, featuring a balanced slate of home contests at Hanson Field and challenging road matchups against FCS and FBS opponents.

The Leathernecks open the season at home on Aug. 27, welcoming Northwestern College for the season opener. Western Illinois remains in Macomb the following week, hosting in-state rival Illinois State on Sept. 5.

A marquee nonconference matchup highlights the early portion of the schedule as the Leathernecks travel to Madison to face Wisconsin on Sept. 12. WIU then returns home on Sept. 19 to take on Morehead State before heading south for a Sept. 26 road contest at North Alabama.

The Leathernecks will open Ohio Valley Conference play at home in October, hosting Tennessee State on Oct. 3. After an open week, Western Illinois resumes conference play on the road at Southeast Missouri on Oct. 17, followed by a return to Hanson Field to host UT Martin on Oct. 24.

The Leathernecks close out October with a road game at Charleston Southern on Oct. 31, then continue November play with a rivalry matchup at Eastern Illinois on Nov. 7.

Western Illinois wraps up its home schedule on Nov. 14 against Gardner-Webb before concluding the regular season on the road at Lindenwood on Nov. 24.

The 2026 schedule features six home games at Hanson Field, providing Leatherneck fans multiple opportunities to support the team in Macomb.

Game times and broadcast information will be announced at a later date.

2026 Western Illinois Football Schedule
Aug. 27 – Northwestern College (Home)
Sept. 5 – Illinois State (Home)
Sept. 12 – at Wisconsin
Sept. 19 – Morehead State (Home)
Sept. 26 – at North Alabama
Oct. 3 – Tennessee State (Home)
Oct. 17 – at Southeast Missouri
Oct. 24 – UT Martin (Home)
Oct. 31 – at Charleston Southern
Nov. 7 – at Eastern Illinois
Nov. 14 – Gardner-Webb (Home)
Nov. 24 – at Lindenwood

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