Washington State University
02/12/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 02/12/2026 09:37
Cougar football schedule for 2026 season features strong matchups
PULLMAN, Wash. (Feb. 11, 2026) - Washington State University Athletics announced its football schedule for the first year of the new Pac-12 football season, highlighted by home conference matchups against Fresno State and Boise State, and nonconference matchups against Washington, Kansas State and Arizona.
Next season's schedule has the Cougars playing six home and six road contests, featuring games against three opponents for the first time.
The Cougars open up the 2026 slate with a road trip to Seattle for the Apple Cup, Saturday, Sept. 5. The following week, Sept. 12, WSU travels to Manhattan, Kan. to face the Kansas State, marking the first meeting against the Wildcats.
WSU returns to Pullman for three-straight games, opening the home schedule Saturday, Sept. 19 against Duquesne in the first meeting between the schools. The Cougars then face former conference foe Arizona on Sept. 26 at Gesa Field. WSU's first conference matchup in the new Pac-12 will come Saturday, Oct. 3 against Fresno State at Gesa Field. The last meeting between these two teams came in 2024, a 25-17 Cougar win in Fresno.
The Cougars return to the road for two straight away from Pullman, facing Utah State Oct. 10 in Logan, and at Oregon State Oct. 17 in Corvallis. WSU concluded its 2025 season with a 34-21 victory over Utah State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
October 24 sees Boise State return to Pullman for the first time since a thrilling, 47-44 triple overtime Cougar victory at Gesa Field. The following week, WSU travels to face San Diego State on Oct. 31. The Cougars have won the last two meetings against the Aztecs, including a 29-26 victory in 2024, the last time the game was played in San Diego.
The season's lone bye week comes Nov. 7 after nine-straight games. Following the bye, the Cougars welcome Colorado State to Gesa Field on Nov. 14. The final road trip of the season comes when WSU visits new Pac-12 opponent Texas State in San Marcos, Nov. 21.
The final week of the season is a flex week by the Pac-12 Conference, Saturday Nov. 28. At this point, the Cougars are projected to face Oregon State, though the Pac-12 retains the right to adjust matchups based on the best interests of the league, including College Football Playoff considerations at that time.
The Pac-12 Championship game matchup will be held Friday, Dec. 4 at an on-campus site.
Dates for WSU's 2026 Homecoming and Family Weekend games will be announced at a later date.
Season ticket renewals and new season tickets are available now starting at just $200. Secure your tickets online HERE or by calling 1-800-GO-COUGS.
WSU's 2026 Football Schedule:
| Date | Opponent | Location |
| Sept. 5 | at Washington (Apple Cup) | Seattle, Wash. |
| Sept. 12 | at Kansas State | Manhattan, Kan. |
| Sept. 19 | Duquesne | Gesa Field |
| Sept. 26 | Arizona | Gesa Field |
| Oct. 3 | Fresno State | Gesa Field |
| Oct. 10 | at Utah State | Logan, Utah |
| Oct. 17 | at Oregon State | Corvallis, Ore. |
| Oct. 24 | Boise State | Gesa Field |
| Oct. 31 | at San Diego State | San Diego, Calif. |
| Nov. 7 | BYE | |
| Nov. 14 | Colorado State | Gesa Field |
| Nov. 21 | at Texas State | San Marcos, Texas |
| Nov. 28 | FLEX (projected matchup vs. Oregon State) | Gesa Field |
Washington State University published this content on February 12, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on February 12, 2026 at 15:37 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]