Photo by: Mary Grace Grabill/Northwestern Athletics
Big Ten Conference Releases 2025-26 Women’s Basketball Schedule
9/18/2025 4:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
‘Cats host Ohio State to open league slate on December 7
EVANSTON, Ill. (September 18, 2025) – Following the release of its non-conference schedule last month, Northwestern women's basketball learned of its Big Ten Conference slate following the release of the 2025-26 schedule by the league office on Thursday. Piloted by head coach Joe McKeown, Northwestern will lift the lid on its 18-game Big Ten gauntlet on December 7 when it plays host to Ohio State.
After completing the remainder of its non-conference schedule, Northwestern will jet to the Pacific Northwest, where clashes with Washington (Dec. 29) and Oregon (Jan. 1) await. A quick turnaround follows upon the 'Cats returning home, as Iowa is set to make its way to Evanston on January 5. The matchup against the Hawkeyes opens a stretch that sees Northwestern play three of its next four games inside Welsh-Ryan Arena, with a road tilt at Minnesota (Jan. 8) preceding visits from Rutgers (Jan. 11) and Wisconsin (Jan. 15).
The back half of the month of January begins against a familiar foe, as the Wildcats head south on January 18 to battle Illinois. A marquee matchup against UCLA (Jan. 25), fresh off an NCAA Final Four appearance last season, follows before McKeown's crew closes out the month at Nebraska (Jan. 28).
Northwestern's push towards the Big Ten Tournament heats up as the calendar turns to February, which begins with a trip to Indiana (Feb. 1). The 'Cats return home for back-to-back matchups, entertaining USC (Feb. 5) and Michigan (Feb. 12) ahead of a two-game road swing against Penn State (Feb. 15) and Michigan State (Feb. 18).
A return meeting with Illinois at Welsh-Ryan Arena on February 22 kicks off the regular season's final week. After closing out its road slate at Maryland (Feb. 25) three days later, the Wildcats return home to wrap up the regular season on March 1 against Purdue.
For a second consecutive season, Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. will serve as the host for the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament, March 4-8.
General admission season tickets are available by clicking HERE and start at just $109 for adults and $49 for youth. Fans can save even more by purchasing a Family Plan which includes four season tickets (two adult and two youth) for a total price of $200. Single game tickets and flex plan packages will be available for purchase in the near future on nusports.com/tickets.
Tip-off times and television designations for Northwestern's Big Ten Conference schedule will be announced at a later date. The Wildcats' complete 2025-26 schedule follows.
2025-26 Northwestern Women's Basketball Schedule
Nov. 1 – Lewis #
Nov. 5 – IU Indy
Nov. 9 – SIUE
Nov. 14 – Maryland Eastern Shore
Nov. 17 – at DePaul
Nov. 21 – Cleveland State
Nov. 28 – Abilene Christian ^
Nov. 29 – Missouri ^
Dec. 3 – Kansas
Dec. 7 – Ohio State *
Dec. 14 – at Utah
Dec. 18 – Loyola Chicago
Dec. 21 – at George Washington
Dec. 29 – at Washington *
Jan. 1 – at Oregon *
Jan. 5 – Iowa *
Jan. 8 – at Minnesota *
Jan. 11 – Rutgers *
Jan. 15 – Wisconsin *
Jan. 18 – at Illinois *
Jan. 25 – UCLA *
Jan. 28 – at Nebraska *
Feb. 1 – at Indiana *
Feb. 5 – USC *
Feb. 12 – Michigan *
Feb. 15 – at Penn State *
Feb. 18 – at Michigan State *
Feb. 22 – Illinois *
Feb. 25 – at Maryland *
March 1 – Purdue *
March 4-8 – Big Ten Tournament (Indianapolis, Ind.)
# Exhibition
^ Elevance Health Fort Myers Tip-Off (Fort Myers, Fla.)
* Big Ten Conference game
After completing the remainder of its non-conference schedule, Northwestern will jet to the Pacific Northwest, where clashes with Washington (Dec. 29) and Oregon (Jan. 1) await. A quick turnaround follows upon the 'Cats returning home, as Iowa is set to make its way to Evanston on January 5. The matchup against the Hawkeyes opens a stretch that sees Northwestern play three of its next four games inside Welsh-Ryan Arena, with a road tilt at Minnesota (Jan. 8) preceding visits from Rutgers (Jan. 11) and Wisconsin (Jan. 15).
The back half of the month of January begins against a familiar foe, as the Wildcats head south on January 18 to battle Illinois. A marquee matchup against UCLA (Jan. 25), fresh off an NCAA Final Four appearance last season, follows before McKeown's crew closes out the month at Nebraska (Jan. 28).
Northwestern's push towards the Big Ten Tournament heats up as the calendar turns to February, which begins with a trip to Indiana (Feb. 1). The 'Cats return home for back-to-back matchups, entertaining USC (Feb. 5) and Michigan (Feb. 12) ahead of a two-game road swing against Penn State (Feb. 15) and Michigan State (Feb. 18).
A return meeting with Illinois at Welsh-Ryan Arena on February 22 kicks off the regular season's final week. After closing out its road slate at Maryland (Feb. 25) three days later, the Wildcats return home to wrap up the regular season on March 1 against Purdue.
For a second consecutive season, Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. will serve as the host for the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament, March 4-8.
General admission season tickets are available by clicking HERE and start at just $109 for adults and $49 for youth. Fans can save even more by purchasing a Family Plan which includes four season tickets (two adult and two youth) for a total price of $200. Single game tickets and flex plan packages will be available for purchase in the near future on nusports.com/tickets.
Tip-off times and television designations for Northwestern's Big Ten Conference schedule will be announced at a later date. The Wildcats' complete 2025-26 schedule follows.
2025-26 Northwestern Women's Basketball Schedule
Nov. 1 – Lewis #
Nov. 5 – IU Indy
Nov. 9 – SIUE
Nov. 14 – Maryland Eastern Shore
Nov. 17 – at DePaul
Nov. 21 – Cleveland State
Nov. 28 – Abilene Christian ^
Nov. 29 – Missouri ^
Dec. 3 – Kansas
Dec. 7 – Ohio State *
Dec. 14 – at Utah
Dec. 18 – Loyola Chicago
Dec. 21 – at George Washington
Dec. 29 – at Washington *
Jan. 1 – at Oregon *
Jan. 5 – Iowa *
Jan. 8 – at Minnesota *
Jan. 11 – Rutgers *
Jan. 15 – Wisconsin *
Jan. 18 – at Illinois *
Jan. 25 – UCLA *
Jan. 28 – at Nebraska *
Feb. 1 – at Indiana *
Feb. 5 – USC *
Feb. 12 – Michigan *
Feb. 15 – at Penn State *
Feb. 18 – at Michigan State *
Feb. 22 – Illinois *
Feb. 25 – at Maryland *
March 1 – Purdue *
March 4-8 – Big Ten Tournament (Indianapolis, Ind.)
# Exhibition
^ Elevance Health Fort Myers Tip-Off (Fort Myers, Fla.)
* Big Ten Conference game
Joe McKeown Joins B1G Today (7/14/25)
Thursday, July 17
Women's Basketball - Nebraska Postgame Press Conference
Sunday, March 02
Women's Basketball - 'Cats Furious Comeback Falls Short In 85-79 Loss To No. 21 Maryland (2/20/25)
Friday, February 21
Women's Basketball | Maryland Postgame Press Conference
Friday, February 21
