Ball State University Athletics
Photo by: Samantha Blankenship / Ball State University
WBB Releases 2026-27 Non-Conference Schedule Featuring High-Profile Matchups and a Trip to Maui Classic
August 11, 2026 | Women's Basketball
MUNCIE, iND. -- Fresh off back-to-back Mid-American Conference (MAC) regular-season championships, the Ball State women's basketball team has officially revealed a highly competitive non-conference schedule for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
The challenging slate features matchups against four opponents that qualified for the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Fans can look forward to high-profile contests at home in Worthen Arena, as well as an exciting mid-December trip to Hawai'i for the Maui Classic.
The Cardinals kick off their regular season at home, November 2, hosting Arkansas State for the first of two MAC-SBC Challenge games. Shortly after, they return to Worthen Arena on November 7 to face NCAA Tournament qualifier High Point.
Ball State then hosts back-to-back Power Four opponents. Ball State welcomes Louisville from the ACC on November 12, marking only the third time in program history that the Cardinals have hosted UofL in Muncie. Following that, they face Illinois from the Big Ten on November 18 in just the second-ever home matchup against the Fighting Illini.
After their opening homestand, the team hits the road for the Thanksgiving holiday. The Cardinals travel to Chicago to play UIC November 24 and then to Temple on November 27, before returning home to wrap up the holiday weekend against Robert Morris on November 29.
December opens with a highly anticipated road trip to Maryland on December 1, which features a meaningful reunion with former Ball State head coach Brenda Frese. The road swing continues at Cincinnati on December 4. The Cardinals then return to Muncie on December 9 to host their annual Field Trip Day against IU Indy.
Before breaking for the holidays, Ball State heads to the islands for the Maui Classic on December 18-19. The competitive four-team tournament field consists of Ball State, Oregon State, Idaho State and San Francisco.
Finally, the Cardinals wrap their non-conference schedule at home on December 30 against Fresno State.
Fans won't have to wait long for the rest of the season details, as the Mid-American Conference schedule is set to be released Wednesday, August 12, at 11:00 a.m. ET.
The challenging slate features matchups against four opponents that qualified for the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Fans can look forward to high-profile contests at home in Worthen Arena, as well as an exciting mid-December trip to Hawai'i for the Maui Classic.
The Cardinals kick off their regular season at home, November 2, hosting Arkansas State for the first of two MAC-SBC Challenge games. Shortly after, they return to Worthen Arena on November 7 to face NCAA Tournament qualifier High Point.
Ball State then hosts back-to-back Power Four opponents. Ball State welcomes Louisville from the ACC on November 12, marking only the third time in program history that the Cardinals have hosted UofL in Muncie. Following that, they face Illinois from the Big Ten on November 18 in just the second-ever home matchup against the Fighting Illini.
After their opening homestand, the team hits the road for the Thanksgiving holiday. The Cardinals travel to Chicago to play UIC November 24 and then to Temple on November 27, before returning home to wrap up the holiday weekend against Robert Morris on November 29.
December opens with a highly anticipated road trip to Maryland on December 1, which features a meaningful reunion with former Ball State head coach Brenda Frese. The road swing continues at Cincinnati on December 4. The Cardinals then return to Muncie on December 9 to host their annual Field Trip Day against IU Indy.
Before breaking for the holidays, Ball State heads to the islands for the Maui Classic on December 18-19. The competitive four-team tournament field consists of Ball State, Oregon State, Idaho State and San Francisco.
Finally, the Cardinals wrap their non-conference schedule at home on December 30 against Fresno State.
Fans won't have to wait long for the rest of the season details, as the Mid-American Conference schedule is set to be released Wednesday, August 12, at 11:00 a.m. ET.
Tuesday, July 21
Tuesday, July 21
Tuesday, July 21
Tuesday, July 21