Northwest Notes July 8, 2026

Vandals finalize football kickoff times for Big Sky matchups

The Big Sky Conference has announced the confirmed kickoff times for 56 league matchups in 2026, spanning 10 weekends between the final week of August and the end of November.

Having already locked down nationwide broadcasts for three regular-season contests, Idaho Football has secured bids with regional networks for an additional four Big Sky contests, meaning seven of the Vandals’ 12 contests will stretch beyond the league’s ESPN+ contract. 

Idaho Athletics previously announced the conference football games at Cal Poly (Aug. 28) and vs. Montana State (Oct. 2) will be broadcast on ESPN, and the road contest at Utah (Sept. 3) will be shown on ESPNU.   

The Vandals’ home matchups with Southern Utah, Eastern Washington, and UC Davis have all been picked up by SWX, each with afternoon kickoff times. Additionally, the Battle of the Little Brown Stein between Idaho and Montana will be broadcast by Scripps Sports in Missoula. 

IDAHO FOOTBALL 2026 SCHEDULE

Home games in CAPS

Times Pacific

* Big Sky games

Aug. 28 — at Cal Poly*, 7 p.m. (ESPN)

Sept. 3 — at Utah, 6 p.m. (ESPNU)

Sept. 12 — vs. LAMAR, TBA (ESPN+)

Sept. 19 — vs. ABILENE CHRISTIAN, TBA (ESPN+)

Oct. 2 — vs. MONTANA STATE*, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Oct. 10 — at Weber State*, noon (ESPN+)

Oct. 17 — at Montana*, noon (ESPN+/Scripps Sports)

Oct. 24 — vs. SOUTHERN UTAH*, 2 p.m. (ESPN+/SWX)

Oct. 31 — at Portland State*, 1 p.m. (ESPN+)

Nov. 7 — vs. EASTERN WASHINGTON*, 2 p.m. (ESPN+/SWX)

Nov. 14 — vs. UC DAVIS*, 1 p.m. (ESPN+/SWX)

Nov. 21 — at Idaho State*, 3 p.m. (ESPN+)

Kickoff times released for EWU 2026 season

EWU has nine conference matchups, with five at Roos Field in Cheney. The Eagles’ Big Sky home opener against Cal Poly (Sept. 26) kicks off at 4 p.m. Pacific. 

The matchups against Northern Colorado (Oct. 10) and Montana State (Oct. 17) will also both kick off at 4 p.m. 

Following the team’s bye week, Montana travels to Cheney on Oct. 31 for a 1 p.m. kickoff. 

The Eagles conclude the season against Portland State on Nov. 21, with a 1 p.m. kickoff.

With conference game times released, EWU announced the home opener against Northern Iowa (Sept. 5) will kick off at 4 p.m. 

Eastern’s home games will be broadcast on SWX, with the MSU and UM broadcasts being produced by Scripps Sports. All Big Sky games will be streamed live on ESPN+.

2026 EWU FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Home games in CAPS

Times Pacific

* Big Sky games

Aug. 29 — at Northern Arizona*, 2 p.m. (ESPN+)

Sept. 5 — vs. NORTHERN IOWA, 4 p.m. (SWX/ESPN+)

Sept. 12 — at South Dakota, 11 a.m. (Midco Sports/ESPN+)

Sept. 19 — at Washington, 4:15 p.m. (Big 10 Network)

Sept. 26 — vs. CAL POLY*, 4 p.m. (SWX/ESPN+)

Oct. 3 — at UC Davis*, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

Oct. 10 — vs. NORTHERN COLORADO*, 4 p.m. (SWX/ESPN+)

Oct. 17 — vs. MONTANA STATE*, 4 p.m. (Scripps Sports/SWX/ESPN+)

Oct. 31 — vs. MONTANA*, 1 p.m. (Scripps Sports/SWX/ESPN+)

Nov. 7 — at Idaho*, 2 p.m. (SWX/ESPN+)

Nov. 14 — at Utah Tech*, 1 p.m. (ESPN+)

Nov. 21 — vs. PORTLAND STATE*, 1 p.m. (SWX/ESPN+)