MISSOULA — The Big Sky Conference announced its league football games for the 2026 season on Tuesday.
With the Big Sky expanding to 13 teams next season — Southern Utah and Utah Tech are joining the league and Sacramento State is exiting — 12 of the teams will play nine-game conference schedules. In 2026, 2027, 2030 and 2031, Southern Utah will have eight conference games. In 2028 and 2029, Utah Tech will have eight conference games.
For the full 2026 Big Sky Conference football schedule, visit bigskyconf.com.
Teams will alternate having four or five home games each year. Montana will have five home Big Sky games in 2026, while Montana State will have only four. That’ll flip in 2027.
The Brawl of the Wild, as well as the rivalry matchup between Idaho and Idaho State, will always be played on the last week of the regular season.
In 2026, Montana will host Southern Utah, Northern Colorado, Idaho, Portland State and Idaho State. The Grizzlies will be on the road at UC Davis, Northern Arizona, Eastern Washington and Montana State. Montana will also host new Big Sky member Utah Tech in a nonconference game on Sept. 12 as part of the previously existing home-and-home slate between the Griz and Trailblazers
The Bobcats will have 2026 home games versus Northern Arizona, Weber State, Cal Poly and Montana. MSU will have road contests at Utah Tech, Idaho, Eastern Washington, Idaho State and Northern Colorado.
The 2026 conference schedules for Montana and Montana State are below. Announced nonconference games are also included.
Montana
Aug. 29: Southern Utah
Sept. 5: Drake (nonconference)
Sept. 12: Utah Tech (nonconference)
Sept. 19: at Oregon State (nonconference)
Sept. 26: at UC Davis
Oct. 3: Northern Colorado
Oct. 10: at Northern Arizona
Oct. 17: Idaho
Oct. 24: Open
Oct. 31: at Eastern Washington
Nov. 7: Portland State
Nov. 14: Idaho State
Nov. 21: at Montana State
Montana State
Aug. 29: at Utah Tech
Sept. 5: Butler (nonconference)
Sept. 12: at Nevada (nonconference)
Sept. 19: Central Connecticut State (nonconference)
Sept. 26: Northern Arizona
Oct. 3: at Idaho
Oct. 10: Open
Oct. 17: at Eastern Washington
Oct. 24: Weber State
Oct. 31: Cal Poly
Nov. 7: at Idaho State
Nov. 14: at Northern Colorado
Nov. 21: Montana
