So, you're looking for the Michigan State football next game? I get it. The itch for Saturdays in East Lansing never really goes away, especially with the massive overhaul currently happening inside the Skandalaris Center.
If you are looking at your calendar right now, here is the short version: The Spartans don't take the field again until Saturday, September 5, 2026. They'll be hosting the Toledo Rockets at Spartan Stadium.
I know, I know. It feels like a lifetime away. But honestly, this isn't just another "buy" game against a MAC opponent. This is the official dawn of the Pat Fitzgerald era in East Lansing. After the school moved on from Jonathan Smith following the 2025 season, the hiring of Fitzgerald on December 1, 2025, sent shockwaves through the Big Ten.
Why the Toledo Opener Actually Matters
Most people see a MAC team on the schedule and check out. Don't do that. Toledo is consistently one of the best-coached programs in the country, and they love nothing more than ruining a high-profile debut.
For the Spartans, this game is the first real look at a coaching staff that looks like a "Big Ten Greatest Hits" album. Fitzgerald didn't just come alone; he kept defensive coordinator Joe Rossi, who is widely considered one of the sharpest defensive minds in the conference. Then he went out and snagged LeVar Woods from Iowa to handle special teams and serve as assistant head coach.
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Think about that for a second. You have the former face of Northwestern, a top-tier DC in Rossi, and the guy who made Iowa's special teams a terrifying weapon for nearly two decades. That is a lot of "old school" Big Ten muscle on one sideline.
The 2026 Non-Conference Gauntlet
If the Toledo game is the appetizer, the rest of September is a straight-up pressure cooker. Michigan State basically decided they didn't want any "easy" weeks to start the year.
- Sept 12: Home vs. Eastern Michigan.
- Sept 19: At Notre Dame.
Yeah, you read that right. The Megaphone Trophy is back on the line in Week 3. Heading into South Bend is a brutal test for a first-year staff, but it’s exactly the kind of game Fitzgerald was hired to win. He’s built a career on winning games where his team is the underdog.
Who is Actually Playing?
This is where things get a bit murky. With the transfer portal being what it is in 2026, the roster you saw in November might look totally different by the time spring ball rolls around.
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However, we know Fitzgerald is prioritizing the "trenches." He’s kept offensive line coach Nick Tabacca and brought in Mike Bajakian to work with the quarterbacks. The word around East Lansing is that the staff is looking for "Spartan Dawg" mentalities—guys who don't mind a game ending 13-10 as long as they’re the ones with 13.
Keep an eye on the tight end room. Jack Velling and Michael Masunas are still the names to watch. In a Fitzgerald/Sheridan offense, the tight end isn't just a blocker; they are the safety blanket. If MSU is going to beat Toledo and compete with Notre Dame, those guys have to be elite.
The Schedule Logistics Nobody Talks About
We don't have the official kickoff times yet—those usually drop in the early summer—but you can bet the Michigan State football next game against Toledo will likely be a mid-afternoon or night slot on BTN or FS1.
The Big Ten schedule for 2026 is also uniquely weird. Because of the expansion, MSU is slated to play:
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- Michigan (Away - Date TBA)
- Oregon (Home - Date TBA)
- UCLA (Away - Date TBA)
- Washington (Home - Date TBA)
Basically, the Spartans are playing a schedule that looks more like a Rose Bowl invitational than a standard conference slate. They have to travel to the Rose Bowl to play UCLA and then host the reigning powerhouses from the Pacific Northwest.
What Should Fans Do Now?
If you're planning on attending the opener, start looking at the ticket situation now. The university has already opened up 2026 football season ticket deposits. Given the hype surrounding the Fitzgerald hire, those "cheap" seats in the upper bowl are going to vanish fast.
Also, keep an eye on the spring game. While the official "next game" is in September, the spring scrimmage (usually in April) will be the first time we see Nick Sheridan’s offensive wrinkles.
Actionable Insights for Spartan Fans:
- Check your eligibility: if you're a student or alum, get your season ticket deposit in before the February 1st "priority" deadline.
- Track the Portal: The spring transfer window (usually April) will determine if MSU has the depth to survive that September trip to South Bend.
- Hotel Blocks: If you're traveling for the Notre Dame game on Sept 19, book your room in South Bend or nearby Mishawaka now. Prices triple the moment the official time is announced.
The wait for the Michigan State football next game is long, but for the first time in a few years, there’s a sense that the program is building something that actually fits the identity of East Lansing. Physical, disciplined, and a little bit mean.