Full Schedule

TACOMA, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University football team released its 2026 schedule, playing a full 10-game regular season for the fifth straight season under Head Coach Brant McAdams.

McAdam's ambitious 2026 schedule includes two playoff teams from a season ago, and a pair of tough Division III squads from the Lone Star State.

"We're fired up for the 2026 season. This 10-game schedule is no joke, and matching up against some of the most physical, hard-nosed teams out of California and Texas is going to be a tremendous measuring stick for our program," said McAdams.

"But we're ready for the challenge and ready to get to work."

PLU will open the 2026 at home on Sept. 5, squaring off against West Coast rival California Lutheran University in an annual rivalry that has been played continuously since 2004. The showdown between the two Lutheran schools will be held at a new venue, playing in Tacoma at Mount Tahoma Stadium.

Week two sees the Lutes return to their usual stomping grounds of Sparks Stadium in Puyallup  with a showdown against 2021 NCAA Division III Champion University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. The Cru head to Tacoma coming off a 7-3 season that they earned a share of the American Southwest Conference title.

PLU faces is second Texas team in as many weeks on Sept. 19, wrapping up the non-league portion of the schedule in San Antonio, Texas against 2025 NCAA playoff qualifier Trinity University. The Tigers finished last season ranked 16th in the nation after advancing to the third round of the NCAA Tournament. 

Week four is a bye week before opening Northwest Conference action on Oct. 3 against Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. 
 
PLU welcomes crosstown rival University of Puget Sound to Sparks Stadium on Oct. 10 before battling Pacific University on Oct. 17 in Forest Grove, Oregon.

The Lutes visit NWC juggernaut Linfield University on Oct. 24 in McMinnville, Oregon before hosting defending NWC Champion Whitworth University on Oct. 31.

Pacific Lutheran closes out its home slate on Nov. 7 against Lewis & Clark College before capping off the regular season in Newberg, Oregon against George Fox University. 

PLU's week two clash is a noon start. Kickoff in San Antonio will be 7 p.m. (local time) while the NWC opener against Willamette is a 4 p.m. start. All other games will kickoff at 1 p.m.
 
The Lutes wrapped up the 2025 campaign with a 6-4 overall record and a 5-2 mark in NWC play, finishing third in the league standings.