If you’re waiting to see the Tigers and Spartans trade blows on the football field or the hardwood, you've gotta be patient, but there’s actually a lot more history here than people realize. Fans always ask: when does auburn play michigan state? It's a fair question because these are two massive brands that seemingly avoid each other like the plague during the regular season.
Right now, the short answer is that there isn't a scheduled regular-season game on the books for 2026 for either football or men's basketball. But don't close the tab just yet. In the world of modern college athletics, schedules are more fluid than they used to be, and the postseason has a funny way of forcing these two together.
The Most Recent Clash (and Why It Still Stings)
Honestly, if you're an Auburn fan, you probably still have a bit of a headache from the 2025 NCAA Tournament. On March 30, 2025, Auburn and Michigan State met in a massive Elite Eight matchup at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. It was essentially a home game for the Tigers, but the Spartans—coached by the ever-dangerous Tom Izzo—made it a dogfight.
Auburn ended up winning that game 84-75 to advance to the Final Four. It was one of those "instant classic" moments where the quickness of the Tigers finally overwhelmed the grit of MSU. Since then, fans of both programs have been itching for a rematch.
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Football: A Long Wait on the Gridiron
Football scheduling is basically a decade-long game of chess. Currently, Auburn’s 2026 non-conference slate is dominated by a huge neutral-site opener against Baylor in Atlanta on September 5. They also have Southern Miss and Samford on the schedule.
Michigan State, on the other hand, is busy with Toledo, Eastern Michigan, and a massive road trip to Notre Dame in 2026.
Looking through the record books, these two haven't actually played a football game against each other since... well, basically ever. Winsipedia confirms there is no deep historical rivalry here. They are two ships passing in the night. With the SEC expanding to a nine-game conference schedule in 2026, the windows for these "Power 4" non-conference matchups are getting smaller and smaller.
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Why a Future Series Makes Sense
- The "Land-Grant" Connection: Both schools are legendary land-grant institutions. There’s a natural cultural fit there.
- Recruiting: Auburn loves to dip into the Midwest occasionally, and MSU’s Jonathan Smith is looking to expand the Spartans' footprint into the South.
- TV Ratings: CBS or ESPN would drool over a Saturday night game in Jordan-Hare or Spartan Stadium.
Basketball: The Best Bet for a Rematch
While the football teams are booked solid, the basketball programs are much more likely to meet sooner. Bruce Pearl and Tom Izzo both love "anywhere, anytime" scheduling.
There are a few ways when does auburn play michigan state could become a reality in the 2026-2027 cycle:
- Early Season Tournaments: Both teams are staples in events like the Maui Invitational, the Battle 4 Atlantis, or the Maui on the Mainland. These brackets are often released only 6-12 months in advance.
- The SEC/Big Ten Challenge: While the official "Challenge" formats have shifted with new TV deals, there is constant talk of a formal SEC/Big Ten series to rival the old ACC matchups.
- The Postseason: As we saw in 2025, the Selection Committee loves putting high-tempo teams like Auburn against disciplined squads like Michigan State.
Auburn’s 2026 Outlook
The Tigers are entering a new era. With Alex Golesh taking over the football program, the focus is on high-octane offense. Their 2026 SEC schedule is a gauntlet, featuring road trips to Alabama (the Iron Bowl on November 28), Georgia, and Tennessee. Adding a team like Michigan State to that mix would be suicidal for most coaches, which explains the scheduling gap.
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On the basketball side, Auburn is a perennial top-15 program. They are currently scheduled to play a heavy SEC slate, but the non-conference "filler" games are usually announced in the late summer. Keep an eye on the 2026 Las Vegas tournaments; that's the most likely spot for a neutral-site clash.
Michigan State’s 2026 Outlook
The Spartans are trying to regain their identity. In football, 2026 will be a pivotal year for Jonathan Smith's system. Their Big Ten schedule is equally brutal, featuring home games against Oregon and Washington, plus the annual rivalry with Michigan.
In basketball, Tom Izzo isn't getting any younger, and he’s hungry for one more deep run. He’s notorious for scheduling the hardest non-conference games in the country. If Bruce Pearl calls him up for a home-and-home, Izzo is the type of guy to say yes just for the hell of it.
Actionable Steps for Fans
Since a date isn't set in stone for the next 12 months, here is how you can stay ahead of the news:
- Check the "A-Day" Announcements: Auburn often announces future series during their spring game (A-Day), which is set for April 18, 2026.
- Monitor Bracket Reveals: The 2026-2027 early-season basketball tournament fields are typically announced during the preceding Final Four (April 2026).
- Follow the ADs: Keep an eye on Auburn AD John Cohen’s social media. He has been aggressive about scheduling high-profile non-conference games to boost the school’s SOS (Strength of Schedule) for the 12-team playoff era.
While there is no kickoff time or tip-off date currently set for Auburn vs Michigan State in 2026, the 2025 Elite Eight game proved there is massive fan interest. It’s not a matter of if, but when the committee or a tournament director decides to put these two back in the same building.