After taking a 4-9-1 (1-8-2 Big 12) 2025 season, the Cyclones look to rebound in the 2026 season schedule. Iowa State soccer’s roster is full of new faces. Most recently, head coach Matt Fannon announced the addition of three transfers.
The Cyclones are slated to play 11 home matches and eight away.
August
During August, Iowa State will play in seven matches, all of which are non-conference.
Aug. 5 – Minnesota (exh.)
The Cyclones’ season opener will be against the Golden Gophers as an exhibition match. The two have played eight matches, and Iowa State holds a 1-7 record.
The first and last time the Cyclones beat the Golden Gophers was in 1999.
Aug. 12 – at Omaha
Iowa State’s first road match is against Omaha. The Cyclones are undefeated against the Mavericks, holding a 3-0 record.
Aug. 16 – Kansas City
Kansas City and Iowa State both hold a win and a loss against each other. These two last met in 2018.
Aug. 20 – at Drake
The first of Iowa State’s in-state rivals on the season is taking on Drake on the road. Against the Bulldogs, the Cylones are 6-4-6.
Aug. 23 – Creighton
Iowa State will wrap up August with three straight home games. First on the agenda is Creighton, which breaks up the in-state rivalry competition. Against the Bluejays, the Cyclones are 8-2-2.
Aug. 27 – Iowa
Iowa State’s second and most direct rival is Iowa; the two will meet in the second-to-last match of August. Against the Hawkeyes, the Cyclones are 8-17-2.
Aug. 30 – UNI
The final match of August will close out Iowa State’s in-state competition as the team hosts UNI. Against the Panthers, The Cyclones are 13-1-1.
September
* – conference opponent
Sept. 3 – Missouri State
Iowa State will kick off September with its inaugural meeting with the Missouri State Bears in Ames.
Sept. 10 – at Loyola Maryland
The Cyclones will continue their Inaugural competitions as they head to face the Loyola Maryland Greyhounds.
Sept. 17 – Colorado*
Iowa State’s return to Ames will kick off conference competition by hosting Colorado. Against the Buffaloes, the Cyclones are 2-16-1. Iowa State’s last win against Colorado came at home in 2001.
Sept. 24 – at Houston*
The Cyclones will pack their bags to take on the Cougars on the road for the first time. When in Ames, Iowa State and Houston are 1-1.
Sept. 27 – West Virginia*
Iowa State will wrap up September with a home game against West Virginia. The Cyclones and Mountaineers have met 13 times in the last 14 years and remain winless.
October
Oct. 1 – Utah*
The Cyclones open up October by hosting Utah. The two have met one other time on the road, which ended in a tie.
Oct. 8 – at Arizona State*
Iowa State will head to Arizona for a Grand Canyon State road trip. First, the Cyclones will take on the Sun Devils. Against Arizona State, Iowa State is 0-1-1.
Oct. 11 – at Arizona*
The Cyclones will wrap up their time in Arizona by taking on the Wildcats. Iowa State is 3-2-2 against Arizona and is on a two-game win streak.
Oct. 16 – at Kansas*
Iowa State will continue its road game stretch by taking on Kansas. The Cyclones are 8-21-3 against the Jayhawks.
Oct. 22 – Kansas State*
The Cyclones will return home for their final homestand of the season. Iowa State will host a fellow Kansas foe as the Kansas State Wildcats come to Ames. The Cyclones are 5-2-3 against the Wildcats.
Oct. 26 – BYU*
Iowa State will then host BYU, a team the Cyclones have yet to defeat. These two have met twice, both in Provo, Utah and in Ames.
Oct. 29 – Oklahoma State*
The Cyclones final home game and October game will see the Cowgirls in Ames. Against Oklahoma State, Iowa State is 10-16-2. The Cyclones are on a five-game losing streak against the Cowgirls.
November
Nov. 5 – at UCF*
Iowa State’s last guaranteed game is the regular-season finale against UCF. The Cyclones and Knights have not actually played each other, despite having a match in 2024 that ultimately got canceled.
Post Season
If eligible, the Cyclones will continue their season and enter the postseason with the Big 12 tournament. To qualify, Iowa State will have to finish as one of the top eight teams in the conference at the end of the regular season.
The Big 12 tournament will be from Nov. 9-14. Times and locations will be announced at a later date
