A matchup with Slippery Rock University for the first time in program history, along with five home games, highlights the University of Minnesota Duluth football 2026 schedule, officially released on Wednesday.

The season opener will feature the program's first matchup with Slippery Rock after inking a two-year contract for two non-conference matchups beginning this August. The Bulldogs will head to Slippery Rock, PA, to open the 2026 season inside Mihalik-Thompson Stadium on Aug. 27. Prior to the 2025 season, SRU competed in the NCAA DII postseason for six straight seasons, which included two semifinal appearances in both the 2019 and 2024 seasons. Overall, the program has earned 16 straight winning seasons but missed the 2025 NCAA DII postseason with a 6-4 overall record.

The 93rd season of Bulldog football will continue back home inside James S. Malosky Stadium on Sept. 3,  against Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) opponent, Augustana University.

UMD then heads back on the road to Wayne, NE, to face Wayne State University on Sept. 12 before returning to Duluth for the annual Military Appreciation Day on Sept. 19 against Winona State University.

The Bulldogs will follow that with a two-week stretch on the road, heading out to Minnesota State University Moorhead on Sept. 26 and a trip to Marshall, Minn., to battle Southwest Minnesota State University on Oct. 3.

On Oct. 10, UMD returns home to host Northern State University before heading into its bye week. After the rest, the team then heads back on the road to Bismarck, ND, to face the University of Mary on Oct. 24.

The final scheduled matchups will include hosting Jamestown University on Oct. 31, followed by a road game against Bemidji State University (Nov. 7). The regular season finale will take place on Nov. 14 in Malosky Stadium versus Minot State University.

The Bulldogs completed the 2025 season with a 10-2 overall record and 9-1 conference record. This lifted the program to its 22nd NSIC Championship title, 13th North Division title, and its 13th appearance in the NCAA II postseason.

Access the full 2026 schedule HERE.