EVANSTON, Ill. (August 28, 2026) – Northwestern women’s basketball will meet six postseason qualifiers from last season as part of the 2026-27 non-conference schedule announced by first-year head coach Carla Berube on Friday. The Wildcats’ non-conference slate features eight home contests inside Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Sights set on non-con 👀🏀
— Northwestern Women’s Basketball (@nuwbball) August 28, 2026
Our 2026 non-conference schedule is official 😼
🎟️ https://t.co/YOfVYMd1NW
🗓️ https://t.co/C7YRZEWtR7 pic.twitter.com/nOsQ8s1JGj
Following an exhibition with Lewis (Oct. 30), Northwestern officially raises the curtain on the Berube era on November 3, welcoming Milwaukee to Evanston. After entertaining Xavier (Nov. 5), the ‘Cats will make the short trip to Chicago’s West Side for a November 8 tilt with UIC.
The ‘Cats will head east for a pair of contests as part of the Greenbrier Tip-Off in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., with matchups against West Virginia (Nov. 13) and Appalachian State (Nov. 14) on the docket in the Mountain State. Northwestern closes out a four-game stretch away from home on November 18 against Abilene Christian.
Berube’s team returns to the friendly confines of Welsh-Ryan Arena on November 21, kicking off a four-game homestand against Northern Illinois. A visit from Oakland (Nov. 23) precedes clashes with in-state foes DePaul (Nov. 27) and Illinois State (Nov. 30).
Back-to-back games on the road follow a break for final exams, as the ‘Cats visit historic Allen Fieldhouse for a December 13 meeting with Kansas, ahead of making the short trip down Sheridan Road three days later to take on Loyola Chicago (Dec. 16). Northwestern closes out its non-conference slate ahead of the holidays, hosting George Washington (Dec. 18) and Eastern Illinois (Dec. 21).
Fans can secure their seats inside Welsh-Ryan Arena for the upcoming 2026-27 season by CLICKING HERE.
Set to begin her first season with the ‘Cats after leading Princeton to five NCAA Tournament appearances, Berube welcomes back eight letterwinners from last season, in addition to a group of seven newcomers that features four Division I transfers and three first-years.
A full listing of Northwestern’s non-conference schedule follows. The Wildcats’ Big Ten Conference slate will be announced at a later date.
2026-27 Northwestern Women's Basketball Non-Conference Schedule
Oct. 30 – Lewis #
Nov. 3 – Milwaukee
Nov. 5 – Xavier
Nov. 8 – at UIC
Nov. 13 – vs. West Virginia ^
Nov. 14 – vs. Appalachian State ^
Nov. 18 – at Abilene Christian
Nov. 21 – Northern Illinois
Nov. 23 – Oakland
Nov. 27 – DePaul
Nov. 30 – Illinois State
Dec. 13 – at Kansas
Dec. 16 – at Loyola Chicago
Dec. 18 – George Washington
Dec. 21 – Eastern Illinois
# Exhibition
^ The Greenbrier Tip-Off (White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.)