JOPLIN, Mo. – Missouri Southern football announced Friday its 2026 fall schedule. The Lions will compete in 11 games this upcoming season including five home matchups at Fred G. Hughes Stadium.
 
MSSU opens its 2026 slate on Saturday, Aug. 29 at Midwestern State in Wichita Falls, Texas. The Lions then return to Joplin to host their home opener against Upper Iowa on Sept. 5.
 
Following a week three bye (Sept. 12), Southern is set to play in its nine-game MIAA schedule. After opening conference play at Northwest Missouri (Sept. 19), the Lions welcome Central Missouri to Fred G. Hughes Stadium on Sept. 26 for their MIAA home opener.
 
MSSU hosts Emporia State for Homecoming on Oct. 10 before a Halloween (Oct. 31) home meeting with rival Pittsburg State. The Lions also host Central Oklahoma on Nov. 7 for Senior Day.
 
In 2026, Southern has MIAA road matchups at Northwest Missouri (Sept. 19), Fort Hays State (Oct. 3), Nebraska Kearney (Oct. 17), Missouri Western (Oct. 24) and Washburn (Nov. 14). 
 
The 2026 MIAA season kicks off with the Association's Annual Football Media Day, set for Monday, July 27, on the campus of Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. Head Coaches and student-athletes from all 10 MIAA football member institutions will travel to Topeka to participate in 15-minute press conferences, which will be broadcast live, exclusively on The MIAA Network.

MSSU will host its 2026 Spring Game on Friday, April 17 at 5 p.m., CT at Fred G. Hughes Stadium. Admission to the game is free. Following the game, the Lions will also host their fourth annual MSSU Football Alumni & Friends Golf Tournament on Saturday, April 18. Registration is currently available online. 
 

2026 Missouri Southern Football Schedule
Week 1: Saturday, Aug. 29 – Missouri Southern at Midwestern State
Week 2: Saturday, Sept. 5 – Upper Iowa at Missouri Southern – HOME OPENER
Week 3: Saturday, Sept. 12 – BYE
Week 4: Saturday, Sept. 19 – Missouri Southern at Northwest Missouri*
Week 5: Saturday, Sept. 26 – Central Missouri at Missouri Southern* – MIAA HOME OPENER
Week 6: Saturday, Oct. 3 – Missouri Southern at Fort Hays State*
Week 7: Saturday, Oct. 10 – Emporia State at Missouri Southern* - HOMECOMING
Week 8: Saturday, Oct. 17 – Missouri Southern at Nebraska Kearney*
Week 9: Saturday, Oct. 24 – Missouri Southern at Missouri Western*
Week 10: Saturday, Oct. 31 – Pittsburg State at Missouri Southern* - HALLOWEEN
Week 11: Saturday, Nov. 7 – Central Oklahoma at Missouri Southern* - SENIOR DAY
Week 12: Saturday, Nov. 14 – Missouri Southern at Washburn*
 
*MIAA conference game