So, you're looking for the Washington University St Louis football schedule, and honestly, things just got a whole lot more interesting for the Bears. If you've been following the D-III scene lately, you know that WashU isn't just another private school with a decent library. They've been a powerhouse in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW), but the landscape is shifting.
Basically, the 2025 season just wrapped up, and it was a wild ride. The Bears finished with an 8-3 record, which sounds great on paper, but the drama behind the scenes—specifically regarding conference realignments and some nail-biting finishes—is what people are actually talking about at the tailgates.
The 2025 Washington University St Louis Football Schedule Recap
Let's look at the actual games. The season kicked off at Francis Olympic Field on September 6th with a massive 49-0 blowout against Rhodes College. It was the kind of game that makes you think the season is going to be a breeze. But then came the CCIW gauntlet.
WashU hit the road on September 20th to face Carroll University, pulling off a 41-29 win. Then, things got real. On September 27th, the Bears hosted the #1 ranked North Central College. If you know D-III football, you know North Central is basically the "final boss" of the conference. WashU hung in there for a while but ultimately fell 44-14.
The middle of the schedule was a rollercoaster. There was a 42-40 shootout win over Illinois Wesleyan on October 4th that aged every fan in the stands by five years. Then, an overtime thriller at Carthage College on October 11th where the Bears escaped with a 31-23 victory. Honestly, the grit this team showed in October was something else.
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Breaking Down the Fall Matchups
After the Carthage heart-stopper, the Bears returned home to shut out Elmhurst University 17-0 on October 18th. But momentum is a fickle thing in football. A week later, on October 25th, they traveled to #20 Wheaton College and lost a heartbreaker, 28-24.
The final stretch of the regular season saw some vintage Bears dominance:
- November 1: A 38-7 demolition of Millikin University in Decatur.
- November 8: Senior Day at Francis Olympic Field, where they dismantled North Park 42-14.
- November 15: A season-ending conference win against Augustana, 35-13.
The season didn't end there, though. Because of their strong performance, they earned a spot in the Culver’s Isthmus Bowl on November 22nd against UW-Stout. Unfortunately, the Bears fell 31-23 in a hard-fought neutral-site game in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.
Why the 2026 Schedule is a Total Game Changer
Now, if you’re looking ahead, you need to know that everything is about to change. 2025 was actually WashU’s final year in the CCIW. There’s been some friction, and the conference basically decided to part ways with the Bears after this season.
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Beginning in 2026, Washington University in St. Louis is joining the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) as a football-only member.
This is huge. You’re going to see a completely different set of opponents on the 2026 Washington University St Louis football schedule. Instead of the Illinois-heavy CCIW, the Bears will be traveling to Ohio and Indiana to face storied programs like Wabash College, DePauw University, and Wittenberg University.
The New Rivals to Watch
Joining the NCAC isn't just about travel; it's about a different style of play. Most people don't realize that WashU has some history with these teams, but they haven't played an NCAC school regularly since 2012.
- Wabash and DePauw: These are the big ones. The Bears have played these two more than any other future NCAC opponents, and those games are always physical.
- John Carroll University: They are also joining the NCAC, making the conference one of the most competitive in all of Division III.
- The Travel Factor: Expect more bus rides. The NCAC is centered around Cleveland and Central Ohio, which is a bit of a haul from St. Louis compared to some of the old CCIW trips.
The Gameday Experience at Francis Olympic Field
If you're planning to catch a game next year, you're heading to a literal piece of history. Francis Olympic Field was built in 1903 and hosted the 1904 Summer Olympics. It’s got a capacity of about 3,300, and sort of feels like a hidden gem tucked away on the edge of Forest Park.
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Parking can be a bit of a nightmare on the WashU campus if you don't know the secret spots, so your best bet is usually the East End Garage or just taking the MetroLink to the Skinker station. The atmosphere is unique—it's high-level football, but with that smart, collegiate vibe you only get at a school like this.
Real Talk: Is It Worth Going?
Honestly, yeah. Even though it's D-III, the level of play is surprisingly fast. These guys aren't playing for NIL money or NFL dreams (usually), but the intensity is through the roof. Plus, the Bears have a winning tradition. Under Coach Aaron Keen, they’ve consistently been a top-tier team, and the transition to the NCAC is likely to spark some new, intense rivalries that will make the 2026 schedule even more exciting to watch.
Actionable Steps for Bears Fans
If you're looking to follow the team through this transition, here is what you actually need to do:
- Check the 2026 Official Release: While the 2025 season is over, the full 2026 schedule with specific dates for the NCAC matchups is typically released in late spring or early summer. Keep an eye on the official WashU Bears athletics site around May.
- Get Tickets Early for Home Games: Since Francis Olympic Field is relatively small, the big games (like the home opener or any matchup against DePauw) can actually sell out or get very crowded.
- Watch the Stream: If you can't make the drive to Ohio for the away games next year, WashU usually provides a high-quality livestream of their games through their portal.
- Follow D3Football.com: This is the "Bible" of small college football. They’ll have the best analysis on how WashU stacks up against their new NCAC rivals before the first kickoff in September.