WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Football found out its kickoff times for the first three games of the 2026 season Wednesday afternoon (May 27), including the opener moving up one day. The Boilermakers begin the season hosting Indiana State on Friday night (Sept. 4) at 7 p.m. ET under the lights of Ross-Ade Stadium.
Following the season opener on BTN, Purdue welcomes Wake Forest to West Lafayette for a noon kickoff on FS1 (Sept. 12). The Boilermakers and the Demon Deacons have met just five times throughout history, most recently a 16-10 Purdue victory in Winston-Salem (Sept. 13, 2003).
Purdue fans will have to stay up late Saturday and into Sunday morning for the team’s first road trip of the season. After traveling more than 2,000 miles, the Boilermakers square off against UCLA in a primetime battle at the Rose Bowl (Sept. 19). Kickoff is set for 11 p.m. ET (8 p.m. PT) on BTN.
The Boilermakers now know four of their kickoff times for the upcoming season. Along with the first three games, it was announced earlier this month that Purdue’s matchup with Washington was moved to Friday night on FOX (Oct. 16 – 8 p.m. ET).
While times have not been set, Purdue’s Homecoming game against Maryland (Nov. 7) will begin no later than 5 p.m. ET. In similar fashion, the Boilermakers’ road contest at Illinois (Oct. 3) will be under the same parameters. Kickoff time for these conference matchups will be confirmed no later than 12 days in advance of each game.
Season tickets for the 2026 season are on sale now. Single-game tickets will go on sale July 14 for John Purdue Club members, while the public can purchase tickets beginning July 16.
UPDATED 2026 PURDUE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE (Home games in bold)
Friday, Sept. 4 - Indiana State (7 p.m. ET, BTN)
Saturday, Sept. 12 – Wake Forest (12 p.m. ET, FS1)
Saturday, Sept. 19 – at UCLA (11 p.m. ET, BTN)
Saturday, Sept 26 – Notre Dame
Saturday, Oct. 3 – at Illinois (no later than 5 p.m. ET)
Saturday, Oct. 10 – Minnesota
Friday, Oct. 16 – Washington (8 p.m. ET, FOX)
Saturday, Oct. 31 – at Penn State
Saturday, Nov. 7 – Maryland (Homecoming, no later than 5 p.m. ET)
Saturday, Nov. 14 – at Iowa
Saturday, Nov. 21 – Wisconsin
Saturday, Nov. 28 – at Indiana
