Chicago State will kick off its inaugural football season at home against the Roosevelt Lakers, the school announced Wednesday.
The Cougars will host Roosevelt on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Ill. Roosevelt University, based in Chicago, competes at the Division II level as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).
SeatGeek Stadium, which seats 20,000, is home to the Chicago Stars FC of the NWSL, Chicago Fire FC II of MLS Next Pro, and the Chicago Hounds of Major League Rugby. The venue has a seating capacity of 20,000.
Chicago State formally approved the launch of its football program in December and celebrated its first National Signing Day on Wednesday, with 55 student-athletes signing with the program.
The Cougars will compete as an FCS Independent in 2026 before joining the Northeast Conference (NEC) in 2027.
A full 2026 schedule has not yet been released, but four additional opponents have announced matchups with Chicago State. After the opener, the Cougars will travel to UT Martin on September 5, followed by road games at Butler on September 19 and Tarleton State on October 3.
Chicago State is slated to close its inaugural season on November 21 against Virginia-Lynchburg, presumably at home.
Pray for the Cougars—-this is quite an endeavor they are pursuing—-
Too bad Lincoln (Calif) is taking the season off in 2026,that would have added an home game for CSU. I think CSU can compete with a 10 game schedule but they do need a couple of FCS opp. to had some excitement. What FCS schools need games????
Cal Poly, Lindenwood, SE Missouri St, Elon, Sacred Heart, Sac St, Merrimack, Dartmouth, Penn, Yale, Howard, NC Central, Norfolk St, Illinois St, N. Iowa, S. Dakota, S. Dakota St, S. Illinois, CCSU, Duquesne, Long Island, Mercyhurst, Robert Morris, Wagner, Georgetown, Davidson, Dayton, Drake, Marist, Morehead St, Presbyterian, St. Thomas, San Diego, Valpo, Mercer, Nicholls St, East TAM, Alcorn St, Ark-PB, Grambling St, Jackson St, MVSU, T. Southern, A. Christian, E. Kentucky and W. Georgia
All have spots on their schedules with what has been released so far, some of the schools though are going with just 11 games: Georgetown, Grambling St, Alcorn St, Jackson St and Elon.
New Haven only did I think 8 or 9 games for their first season and Chicago St could end up doing the same thing as well.
That is a lot of schools with open dates to fill……you would think someone would agree to come to Chicago for a game but it doesn’t seem to be happening. They may have to fill dates with Div II teams this year.