COLLEGE PARK, MD — The University of Maryland football schedule for the 2026 season has been finalized, the Big Ten Conference announced on Tuesday. The Terrapins will play seven home games at SECU Stadium, highlighted by matchups against Virginia Tech, UCLA, Rutgers, Illinois, Wisconsin and Penn State.
Maryland opens the season Sept. 5 against Hampton, marking the first all-time meeting between the programs. Maryland then travels to UConn on Sept. 12 for its first meeting with the Huskies since a 50-7 victory in 2024.
The non-conference slate concludes Sept. 19 when Maryland hosts Virginia Tech in the 33rd all-time meeting between the former ACC foes. The programs met five times from 2004–13 and most recently squared off in the 2021 Pinstripe Bowl, a 54-10 Maryland win at Yankee Stadium.
Big Ten play begins Sept. 26 with a home game against UCLA, marking the Bruins' first visit to College Park since 1955. Maryland then travels to Nebraska on Oct. 3 and Ohio State on Oct. 10. The Terps defeated Nebraska in Lincoln in 2023, while the matchup with Ohio State will be the first between the programs since 2023.
Maryland returns home Oct. 17 to face Rutgers for the 13th consecutive season. The Terps have won seven of the last 11 meetings against the Scarlet Knights. Following a bye week, Maryland hosts Illinois on Oct. 31 before traveling to Purdue on Nov. 7 for its first road game against the Boilermakers since 2019.
The Terps return to SECU Stadium on Nov. 14 to host Wisconsin after defeating the Badgers, 27-10, in Madison last season. Maryland then travels west for its final road game, visiting USC on Nov. 21. The Terps defeated the Trojans during the 2024 season in the first-ever meeting between the programs.
Maryland closes the 2026 regular season Nov. 28 against Penn State at SECU Stadium. The matchup will mark the 49th all-time meeting between the programs, which played annually for 11 consecutive seasons prior to last year.
Maryland Football 2026 Schedule
September 5Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Hampton
September 12Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â at UConn
September 19Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Virginia Tech
September 26Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â UCLA
October 3 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â at Nebraska
October 10 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â at Ohio State
October 17 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Rutgers
October 31 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Illinois
November 7 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â at Purdue
November 14 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Wisconsin
November 21 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â at USC
November 28 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Penn State
Note: Selected Saturday games in the 2026 season may be adjusted to select Fridays and other special dates, including Labor Day Sunday and Black Friday. All game times and TV designations will be announced at a later date.
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