Griz get 7 home games next season

With an extra week added to the football calendar by the NCAA and the addition of two new league members, the Big Sky has revised its 2026 football schedule, the conference announced Tuesday.  

Montana director of athletics Kent Haslam also announced the addition of the Drake Bulldogs to Montana’s nonconference slate, completing the entirety of the Grizzlies’ 2026 schedule.  

The Griz will play seven games at home and five on the road in the 12-game slate, opening the year with three straight at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. UM will then play two more games at home in October and two more in November before capping the regular season on the road at Montana State. 

What used to be “Week Zero” will now be Week 1 as they open the 2026 season in Missoula on Aug. 29, hosting new league member Southern Utah in a Big Sky game. The addition of Southern Utah and Utah Tech (Sept. 12) is partly why Idaho is on UM’s home schedule for a second straight season.  

Unlike in 2025, the Griz have a midseason bye. 

The Big Sky schedule was voted on and approved at conference meetings last week. 

2026 UM schedule 

*- Big Sky Conference game 

Aug. 29: Southern Utah* 

Sept. 5: Drake 

Sept. 12: Utah Tech 

Sept. 19: at Oregon State 

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*