Conference USA announced a revised 2026 football schedule on Apr. 29, outlining new dates and matchups for the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers and other member teams.
The updated schedule is significant as it adjusts game dates and opponents, affecting travel plans, preparation timelines, and television broadcasts for teams and fans. The changes also reflect Conference USA’s continued effort to feature midweek games through its “Weekday CUSA” initiative.
According to the announcement, the Hilltoppers will begin their conference play on Thursday, Oct. 1 at New Mexico State. October will see additional weekday conference games with home matchups against Missouri State on Oct. 8 and Delaware on Oct. 27, as well as an away game at Sam Houston on Oct. 14. In November, Western Kentucky will play at Middle Tennessee on Nov. 7 before hosting Jax State on Nov. 14 and closing out road play at Liberty on Nov. 21. The regular season concludes with a home game against Kennesaw State on Nov. 28.
Prior to entering Conference USA competition, Western Kentucky’s non-conference schedule includes away games at Nevada (Sept. 5), Georgia (Sept. 12), Indiana (Sept.19), followed by a home opener against Mercyhurst (Sept.26). The full composite league schedule is available online along with team-by-team breakdowns.
The release notes that Conference USA’s championship game will be held Friday, Dec.4 during championship week and broadcast nationally by CBS Sports Network; kickoff time is yet to be determined.
For the upcoming season, Conference USA will include ten teams—Delaware, FIU, Jax State, Kennesaw State, Liberty, Middle Tennessee, Missouri State, New Mexico State, Sam Houston and WKU—with no divisional structure in place for football in the league’s twenty-second year of operation.
The announcement also reminds fans that all scheduled games are subject to change due to national television selections or other adjustments in coming weeks.
