Big Ten Announces 2025-26 Women’s Basketball Conference Opponents

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Conference opponents for the 2025-26 Big Ten regular season have been announced by the league office. Illinois and its Big Ten counterparts enter the second season of the 18-team Big Ten schedule format, which calls for each school to play one team both home and away, and 16 teams once (eight home and eight away).

Illinois will play Northwestern twice, both home and away. The Fighting Illini will host Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio State, Rutgers, Wisconsin, UCLA, and USC. On the flip side, the Orange and Blue will visit Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Penn State, Purdue, Washington, and Oregon.

Illinois Women’s Basketball’s 2025-26 Big Ten Opponents


Home Only
Away Only
Home and Away


Indiana
Iowa
Northwestern


Maryland
Michigan



Minnesota
Michigan State



Ohio State
Nebraska



Rutgers
Penn State



Wisconsin
Purdue



UCLA
Washington



USC
Oregon

Game dates, times, and television information will be announced at a later time.

The 2025-26 Big Ten Conference women’s basketball season will culminate with the 33rd Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., from March 4-8, 2026.

Season ticket renewals will begin in May with new season tickets going on sale in June.

In three seasons under head coach Shauna Green, the Illinois women’s basketball team has registered 63 wins, the first-ever postseason championship in program history (2024 WBIT), and three consecutive top-5 season attendances in State Farm Center. Additionally, the Illini have racked up six AP Top 25-ranked wins, secured double-digit home victories for three-straight seasons for the first time in program history, won the first NCAA Tournament game in 25 seasons, and have the No. 7-ranked recruiting class by espnW coming in for the 2025-26 campaign.