Saluki Football close to adding two FCS opponents to 2026 schedule

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Saluki Football’s 12-game schedule for 2026 is nearly finished, SIU head coach Nick Hill said on Monday, with the program close to announcing two more FCS non-conference games.

SIU already has non-conference matchups booked versus SEMO at home on Sept. 12, plus a road game at Illinois on Sept. 19. The Salukis will receive a $525,000 guarantee payment for playing the Fighting Illini.

Football scheduling is handled through the athletic director’s office, and Hill said SIU is close to finishing an agreement with an FCS opponent to open the season on the road on Thursday, Aug. 27. The Salukis would then play their home opener against an FCS opponent on Sept. 5. Both games would be returned the following year.

SIU begins conference play at No. 1 North Dakota State on Oct. 3, playing the Bison on the road for the second-consecutive season. For the second-straight year, Southern will play every team in the Valley with the exception of South Dakota State.

2026 Schedule

Aug. 29: at TBA

Sept. 5: TBA

Sept. 12: SEMO

Sept. 19: at Illinois

Oct. 3: at North Dakota State

Oct. 10: Youngstown State

Oct. 17: Illinois State

Oct. 24: at Indiana State

Oct. 31: North Dakota

Nov. 7: at South Dakota

Nov. 14: Murray State

Nov. 21: at Northern Iowa

Also on Monday, the NCAA announced the final 2025 FCS regular-season attendance numbers. Southern Illinois ranked No. 47 overall and ninth in the MVFC in average attendance at 7,117. SIU drew an average of 8,052 fans for the 2024 season.

2025 MVFC Average Attendance

1 South Dakota State: 17,640

2 North Dakota State: 16,048

3 North Dakota: 11,603

4 Northern Iowa: 9,371

5 Youngstown State: 9,276

6 Illinois State: 9,212

7 Murray State: 8,542

8 South Dakota: 7,357

9 Southern Illinois: 7,117

10 Indiana State: 3,858