A transforming cast of schools, the earliest start ever to conference play and a new nine-game schedule among 13 teams are the highlights as The Big Sky Conference released the 2026 league football schedule today.
 
Utah Tech and Southern Utah join the league (SUU was a previous member, 2012-2021) in 2026 while Sacramento State leaves the Big Sky. PSU will play new Big Sky members Utah Tech and Southern Utah at home among their four home games and five road games in the unbalanced league schedule.
 
League teams will open conference play on Aug. 29. Portland State will host UC Davis on that date in a Big Sky game. PSU will then play three non-conference games, traveling to San Diego State (Sept. 5), hosting North Dakota (Sept. 12), then playing at Oregon (Sept. 19).
 
Big Sky Conference play will return on Sept. 26 with a trip to Weber State. Following a bye week, PSU will host Utah Tech in a first-ever football matchup between the schools.
 
The Vikings are on the road against traditional Big Sky members Northern Arizona and Idaho State on Oct. 17 and 24, respectively.
 
PSU hosts Idaho on Hallowe'en at Hillsboro Stadium. Then comes a trip to Montana on Nov. 7, another home game against Southern Utah on Nov. 14, followed by the Dam Cup finale at Eastern Washington on Nov. 21.
 
The Vikings will not face Montana State, Northern Colorado, Cal Poly or Weber State among Big Sky schools.
 
The 12-game schedule features five home games and seven road games taking place in seven different states. San Diego State and Oregon are PSU's two FBS opponents, which has become a standard. The North Dakota game is part of a home-and-home agreement that began this season at UND.
 
2026 PORTLAND STATE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Aug. 29, UC DAVIS*
Sept. 5, at San Diego State
Sept. 12, NORTH DAKOTA
Sept. 19, at Oregon
Sept. 26, at Weber State*
Oct. 3, bye
Oct. 10, UTAH TECH*
Oct. 17, at Northern Arizona*
Oct. 24, at Idaho State*
Oct. 31, IDAHO*
Nov. 7, at Montana*
Nov. 14, SOUTHERN UTAH*
Nov. 21, at Eastern Washington*
 
*Big Sky Conference game
Home games at Hillsboro Stadium
Game times and TV information TBA