Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics
Northwestern Men’s Soccer Sets 2026 Spring Schedule
2/27/2026 6:11:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Wildcats’ spring slate to feature six matchups
EVANSTON, Ill. (February 27, 2026) – Under the direction of head coach Russell Payne, the Northwestern University men's soccer program released its schedule for the upcoming 2026 spring season on Friday. The Wildcats will see action in six contests, with five matchups slated to take place in Evanston.
Northwestern will be tested out of the gate, as it hosts 2025 NCAA College Cup participant Saint Louis on February 28. Following just over a month-long hiatus from competition, the spring slate resumes with visits from Western Michigan (April 3) and Strive Academy (April 7).
The Chicago Cup returns to the shores of Lake Michigan on April 12 when Northwestern battles DePaul in a semifinal-round tilt. A clash with either Loyola Chicago or UIC will follow on April 18.
Northwestern will close out its spring slate by making the trip south on Interstate 55 for a May 2 date with Peoria City of USL League 2 at Shea Stadium in Peoria, Ill.
Payne piloted Northwestern to an 8-6-3 overall finish in 2025, the program's third straight winning season. The Wildcats are set to welcome back a strong nucleus from that team, a group that includes Big Ten All-Freshman Team honoree Aaron O'Reilly, who netted a team-high five goals in his debut season at Northwestern.
Northwestern's complete 2026 spring schedule follows.
February 28 – vs. Saint Louis (Ryan Fieldhouse)
April 3 – vs. Western Michigan (Ryan Fieldhouse)
April 7 – vs. Strive Academy (Ryan Fieldhouse)
April 12 – vs. DePaul * (Ryan Fieldhouse)
April 18 – vs. Loyola Chicago or UIC * (Ryan Fieldhouse)
May 2 – at Peoria City (Peoria, Ill.)
* Chicago Cup
All games inside Ryan Fieldhouse are closed to the public.
Spring SZN ??
— Northwestern Men's Soccer (@NUMensSoccer) February 27, 2026
Northwestern will play in six matchups as part of its 2026 spring schedule. pic.twitter.com/WKYKiU1S08
Northwestern will be tested out of the gate, as it hosts 2025 NCAA College Cup participant Saint Louis on February 28. Following just over a month-long hiatus from competition, the spring slate resumes with visits from Western Michigan (April 3) and Strive Academy (April 7).
The Chicago Cup returns to the shores of Lake Michigan on April 12 when Northwestern battles DePaul in a semifinal-round tilt. A clash with either Loyola Chicago or UIC will follow on April 18.
Northwestern will close out its spring slate by making the trip south on Interstate 55 for a May 2 date with Peoria City of USL League 2 at Shea Stadium in Peoria, Ill.
Payne piloted Northwestern to an 8-6-3 overall finish in 2025, the program's third straight winning season. The Wildcats are set to welcome back a strong nucleus from that team, a group that includes Big Ten All-Freshman Team honoree Aaron O'Reilly, who netted a team-high five goals in his debut season at Northwestern.
Northwestern's complete 2026 spring schedule follows.
February 28 – vs. Saint Louis (Ryan Fieldhouse)
April 3 – vs. Western Michigan (Ryan Fieldhouse)
April 7 – vs. Strive Academy (Ryan Fieldhouse)
April 12 – vs. DePaul * (Ryan Fieldhouse)
April 18 – vs. Loyola Chicago or UIC * (Ryan Fieldhouse)
May 2 – at Peoria City (Peoria, Ill.)
* Chicago Cup
All games inside Ryan Fieldhouse are closed to the public.
Players Mentioned
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