BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Football will open the 2027 season at Houchens-Smith Stadium against SIU on Saturday, Aug. 28.
The matchup with the Salukis completes WKU's nonconference schedule for 2027. The Hilltoppers are also scheduled to travel to Ball State for a Sept. 11 game, before again hitting the road for a Sept. 18 game at Oregon. WKU will close nonconference play with a Sept. 25 home game against Miami-Ohio.
The season-opening game against SIU will mark the first meeting between the two programs in over two decades, with the last meeting coming during the 2006 season. The Hilltoppers own a 9-6 advantage in the series over the Salukis, including a 27-24 win the last time the two played as members of the Gateway Football Conference. The series dates back to 1992, when the Hilltoppers took down SIU 41-39 in Bowling Green.
WKU is coming off a 9-4 season in 2025, which included a 27-16 victory over Southern Miss in the 2025 New Orleans Bowl – the fifth bowl win for the Hilltoppers in seven seasons under Head Coach Tyson Helton. This fall, the Hilltoppers will enter their eighth season under Helton, who holds a 57-36 overall record during his first seven seasons, with appearances in bowl games each of those seven seasons, as well as two Conference USA Championship Game appearances.
With its 2025 New Orleans Bowl victory, WKU claimed its eighth bowl win in the last 12 seasons. Only Georgia and Minnesota have more bowl wins than WKU during the College Football Playoff Era, and WKU's eight bowl wins are tied for third-most nationally with Alabama, Ohio State and Wisconsin during that period.
SIU is coming off of a 7-5 season in 2025. The Salukis are scheduled to open the 2026 season at West Florida on Aug. 27.
WKU is scheduled to open the 2026 season at Nevada on Sept. 5. Kickoff at Mackay Stadium is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CT. The game will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.
It is not too late to purchase tickets for 2026 WKU Football home games. Season tickets start as low as $50, and there are several options for different season ticket levels. For more information or to purchase 2026 WKU Football season tickets, click HERE. Fans can purchase 2026 WKU Football single game tickets HERE and away game tickets HERE. Are you interested in purchasing 2026 WKU Football tickets but don't know where to start? Fill out this form and a member of the WKU Ticket Office will be in touch soon! All season tickets require an HAF donation.
Follow the Hilltoppers: For all the latest on WKU Football, follow @WKUFootball on Twitter and Instagram, and like the WKU Football Facebook page.
Western Kentucky University Athletics
- Champions Climb Here
- WKU Athletics
- Athletic Director
- Academic Services
- Annual Report
- Athletic Communications
- Athletic Hall of Fame
- Athletic Training
- Big Red
- CLIMB Program - NIL
- Compliance
- Facilities
- Financial Reports
- For Students
- Student Employment
- Forms/Requests
- Book Big Red
- Donation Requests
- Site Feedback
- For Fans
- Hilltopper Highlights
- Gameday Promotions
- Alumni Tailgates
- Big Red's Rascals
- Basketball Gameday
- Football Gameday
- Mobile Tickets
- Travel Center
- Tickets
- Give
