University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Panther softball announces 2026 schedule
12/9/2025 1:12:00 PM | Softball
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — UNI Panther softball has unveiled its 2026 season schedule, marking the program's 53rd year of competition. The slate features five Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) home series at Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex, the annual Doc Halverson UNI-Dome Classic, and a late-season home matchup with in-state rival Iowa.
The Panthers open the season on Super Bowl weekend with the Doc Halverson UNI-Dome Classic, Feb. 6-8. UNI faces UMKC on Friday, followed by Nebraska Omaha and Butler on Saturday. The tournament concludes Sunday with showdowns against UMKC and Iowa State.
Following the Dome Classic, UNI embarks on a grueling 24-game road stretch, which includes two MVC series and 18 non-conference contests.
The Panthers travel to Central Arkansas on Feb. 18 before heading to Monroe, Louisiana, for the "Best on the Bayou Tournament" hosted by ULM. UNI takes on Arkansas-Pine Bluff and ULM on Feb. 20, meets Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Lamar on Feb. 21, and closes the event with a single game against Lamar on Feb. 22.
A road matchup with Louisiana on Feb. 24 leads into the Bulldog Classic at Louisiana Tech, Feb. 27-March 1. Opponents for the five-game tournament will be announced at a later date. UNI then opens MVC play with a three-game set at Murray State, beginning with a Friday doubleheader on March 6.
Next, UNI heads to Highland Heights, Kentucky, for a tournament at Northern Kentucky. The Panthers face Detroit Mercy and NKU on March 13, Northwestern and NKU on March 14, and wrap up the weekend with another matchup against NKU on March 15. The final road MVC series of the stretch takes UNI to Valparaiso on March 20-21, followed by a single game at Illinois on March 24.
UNI finally returns home March 27-28 for its MVC home opener against Illinois State. The Panthers then travel to Ames to take on Iowa State on March 31 before hitting the road again for an MVC series at Evansville, April 3-4. UNI returns to Cedar Falls to host UIC, April 10-11, and welcomes Drake for a midweek doubleheader on April 14.
The Panthers travel to Southern Illinois, the host site of the 2026 MVC Softball Tournament, for an April 17-18 series with the Salukis. UNI then plays its lone home non-conference game on April 22 against Iowa. The Panthers stay home to host Belmont, April 24-25, before heading to Bradley for a midweek doubleheader on April 28. The regular season concludes at Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex with a series against Indiana State, May 1-2.
The Missouri Valley Conference Softball Tournament is scheduled for May 6-9 at Charlotte West Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois, with NCAA Regionals beginning May 14.
UNI softball action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Softball), X (@UNISoftball), and on Instagram (@unisoftball). The 2026 schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.
