MOUNT PLEASANT — Central Michigan University football has officially unveiled its 2026 schedule, a slate highlighted by a Power Five road matchup, a neutral-site game at Ford Field, and several key Mid-American Conference showdowns.

The Chippewas will play a 12-game schedule, including six home contests, five road games, and one neutral-site matchup.

Central Michigan opens the season on the road Sept. 5 at New Mexico before hosting Colgate in its home opener on Sept. 12.

One of the biggest early tests comes two weeks later.

After hosting Wyoming on September 19, the Chippewas will travel to face the 2025 National Championship runners-up, Miami (FL), on September 26. This game is anticipated as a marquee nonconference matchup against an ACC opponent.

CMU returns home the following week for its Homecoming game on Oct. 3 against Akron, which also marks the start of conference play.

The Chippewas will then hit the road again to take on Ohio on Oct. 10 before returning home for a rivalry matchup against Western Michigan on Oct. 17.

Another key MAC stretch follows shortly after.

Central Michigan hosts Miami (Ohio) on Oct. 24 before facing Eastern Michigan in a neutral-site game at Ford Field in Detroit on Nov. 4 — one of the more unique matchups on the schedule. This marks the first season of a two-year agreement to relocate the football rivalry.

The Chippewas close out the season with three of their final four games against conference opponents, including a home contest against Sacramento State (the first since joining the MAC) on Nov. 11, a road trip to Buffalo on Nov. 18, and the regular-season finale at Ball State on Nov. 28.

From a schedule standpoint, CMU faces a balanced mix of nonconference challenges and conference matchups, with early-season tests and a midseason MAC stretch that could ultimately shape its postseason hopes.

Times will be announced as we get closer to the start of the season.

The Chippewas finished the 2025 season with a record of 7-6 under first-year head coach Matt Drinkall, marking the highest number of wins for the program since 2021. Central Michigan also made its first bowl game appearance since 2021.