BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Football announced game themes and suggested colors for fans to wear for the five home games in the upcoming 2026 season.
The full 2026 WKU Football promotional schedule and more information on each game can be found HERE. The full 2026 WKU Football schedule is available HERE. Fans can purchase WKU Football tickets HERE or by calling the WKU Ticket Office at 1-800-5-BIGRED.
Following three consecutive road games at Nevada (Sept. 5), at Georgia (Sept. 12) and at Indiana (Sept. 19) to start the 2026 season, the Hilltoppers will host Mercyhurst in the home opener on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Houchens-Smith Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT. The game will be a White Out on WKU's Parent & Family Weekend, and fans are encouraged to wear white to cheer on the Hilltoppers. For more information on Parent & Family Weekend, click HERE. It will also be Big Red Rush, where freshman are invited to participate in a fan tunnel to welcome the team onto Feix Field, as well as SOKY Schools Attendance Challenge – a contest between high schools, middle schools and elementary schools in Warren County and surrounding counties. The opener will also mark WKU's Mental Health Awareness Game and WKU will celebrate Extra Yard For Teachers.
After opening Conference USA play at New Mexico State on Thursday, Oct. 1, WKU returns to Bowling Green to face Missouri State on Thursday, Oct. 8. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT. The matchup with the Bears will be a Black Out at Houchens-Smith Stadium, and fans are encouraged to wear black to the game. WKU faculty and staff members can claim two free game tickets, two free drinks (bottled water or soda) and two free food items (hot dog or popcorn). WKU will also offer a Community Heroes Ticket Deal, with discounted tickets available for military, first responders, teachers and healthcare workers.
WKU follows with a trip to Sam Houston on Wednesday, Oct. 14, before taking on Delaware at Houchens-Smith Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 27. The game will be a Red Out, so fans are encouraged to wear red to the 6 p.m. CT game. It will also be Youth Sports Night, and youth sports teams that purchase group tickets will have the opportunity to take part in a fan tunnel to welcome the Hilltopper Football team onto Feix Field prior to the game. Parents of Big Red's Rascals Kids Club members can receive 50% off tickets to the game, and WKU faculty and staff members can claim two free game tickets, two free drinks (bottled water or soda) and two free food items (hot dog or popcorn).
The Hilltoppers return to Saturday games in November with a trip to rival Middle Tennessee on Nov. 7. WKU returns home to face Jax State on Homecoming the following weekend, Saturday, Nov. 14. Kickoff against the Gamecocks is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT. This year's Homecoming theme is Big Red's World Tour. For more information, click HERE. Fans are encouraged to wear red for the Homecoming festivities.
WKU will travel to Liberty for a 12 p.m. CT game on Saturday, Nov. 21, and will wrap up the regular season with a 12 p.m. CT game against Kennesaw State at Houchens-Smith Stadium. The regular-season finale will be WKU's annual Senior Day and fans are encouraged to wear red. WKU will also celebrate America's 250th birthday with a Big Red, White & Blue celebration. WKU will offer a Military Ticket Deal, with discounted tickets available for veterans, active duty military members and their families, and fans will also have the opportunity to round up or donate tickets to those groups. A Big Red's Rascals Ticket Deal will also be available, with parents of Kids Club members eligible to receive 50% off tickets.
All promotions are subject to change. To stay up to date on all 2026 WKU Football promotions and for more details on each, click HERE.
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
