Eastern Michigan to play at Michigan State in 2026

By Kevin Kelley -

The Eastern Michigan Eagles will play at the Michigan State Spartans in 2026, according to EMU’s 2021 football media guide.

Eastern Michigan will travel to take on Michigan State at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Mich., on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. The game will mark the 11th overall meeting between the two schools on the gridiron.

Eastern Michigan and Michigan State first met on the gridiron in 1898 in Ypsilanti, Mich. In their most recent matchup in 2014, the Spartans defeated the Eagles 73-14 to extend their unbeaten record in the series to 10-0.

Michigan State is the first scheduled non-conference opponent for Eastern Michigan’s in 2026.

With the addition of Eastern Michigan, the Michigan State Spartans have tentatively completed their non-conference slate for the 2026 season. The Spartans are scheduled to open the 2026 season at home against the Toledo Rockets on Sept. 5 and will travel to face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on a date to be determined.

Eastern Michigan is scheduled to open the 2021 season at home on Friday, Sept. 3 against the Saint Francis (Pa.) Red Flash. Michigan State opens their season on the same day on the road with a Big Ten contest against the Northwestern Wildcats.

Football Schedules