MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois Athletics has announced kickoff times, promotional themes and broadcast information for the 2026 Leatherneck football season.
The Leathernecks will open the year on Thursday, Aug. 27, against Northwestern College (Iowa) at Hanson Field. Western Illinois will host four evening games during August and September before transitioning to afternoon kickoffs in October and November.
In addition to the on-field action, fans can look forward to a variety of game day promotions throughout the season, including Youth Day, Homecoming, Military Appreciation Day and several special fan engagement events.
2026 Schedule
|
Date
|
Opponent
|
Time
|
|
Watch
|
|
Aug. 27
|
Northwestern College (Iowa)
|
6 p.m.
|
|
ESPN+
|
|
Sept. 5
|
Illinois State
|
6 p.m.
|
|
ESPN+
|
|
Sept. 12
|
at Wisconsin
|
6:15 p.m.
|
|
Big Ten Network
|
|
Sept. 19
|
Morehead State
|
6 p.m.
|
|
ESPN+
|
|
Sept. 26
|
at North Alabama
|
3 p.m.
|
|
TBD
|
|
Oct. 3
|
Tennessee State
|
3 p.m.
|
|
ESPN+
|
|
Oct. 17
|
at Southeast Missouri
|
2 p.m
|
|
ESPN+
|
|
Oct. 24
|
UT Martin
|
3 p.m.
|
|
ESPN+
|
|
Oct. 31
|
at Charleston Southern
|
1 p.m.
|
|
ESPN+
|
|
Nov. 7
|
at Eastern Illinois
|
2 p.m.
|
|
ESPN+
|
|
Nov. 14
|
Gardner-Webb
|
1 p.m.
|
|
ESPN+
|
|
Nov. 21
|
at Lindenwood
|
2 p.m.
|
|
ESPN+
|
All 2026 Western Illinois football games will be available to fans through a variety of broadcast platforms. Eleven of the Leathernecks' 12 regular season contests are currently scheduled for television or streaming coverage, with all games except Wisconsin and North Alabama airing on ESPN+. The Sept. 12 matchup at Wisconsin will be televised on the Big Ten Network, while broadcast information for the Sept. 26 game at North Alabama will be announced at a later date.
Season tickets for the 2026 campaign are available now through the Western Illinois Athletics Ticket Office. Fans who purchase tickets by June 30 will be entered into a raffle to win a Touchdown Terrace pass for the home game of their choice.
Additional information regarding game day promotions, ticket packages and fan experiences will be announced throughout the summer. Fans can stay up to date by visiting GoLeathernecks.com and following Western Illinois Athletics on social media.
FOLLOW THE LEATHERNECKS
For all the latest information on Leatherneck Athletics, please visit GoLeathernecks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Leathernecks on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.
