DALLAS -- Conference USA officially announced its 2026 football schedule late Thursday (March 12) with each of the league's 11 teams playing an eight-game slate with four home and four away contests.

Missouri State will kick off its second campaign in Conference USA on Friday, Oct. 2 at Western Kentucky in the club's first trip to Bowling Green since 2005.

The Bears will play Weekday CUSA games the following four weeks with home games against Delaware on Wednesday, Oct. 7, and Sam Houston on Tuesday, Oct. 20.  Likewise, Mo State will be on the road for midweek contests at LA Tech on Wednesday, Oct. 14, and at Jax State on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

Missouri State will play two of its three November games at home, including a first-ever visit from New Mexico State on Saturday, Nov. 14 and Kennesaw State's first trip to Springfield since 2019 when the Owls come to town on Saturday, Nov. 21. 

The Bears conclude the regular season in Miami with a Nov. 28 matchup at FIU. Mo State will not play Liberty or Middle Tennessee in 2026. 

Previously announced non-conference dates include the season opener at Texas A&M (Sept. 5), the home opener against FCS Lindenwood (Sept. 12), a home game against Marshall (Sept. 19) and a trip to Dallas on Sept. 26 to take on SMU.

First-year head coach Casey Woods will have 61 returning players in camp when the Bears begin spring drills later this month. He inherits an upstart Missouri State program that finished 7-6 overall and 5-3 in CUSA in its first season at the FBS level in 2025 while earning a berth in the inaugural XBox Bowl in Frisco, Texas. 

2026 Missouri State season tickets are available now by going to MissouriStateBears.com/tickets or by calling (417) 836-7678 during box office hours.