Written by: Eric Strayer
8/10/2026
With a new head coach at the helm and seven chances to experience gameday at the Glass Bowl, 2026 marks an exciting new chapter for Toledo Rockets Football. But while the faces on the sideline may change, the traditions, rivalries and unmistakable energy of a fall Saturday in the Glass City remain as strong as ever.
There’s something special about a football Saturday on the University of Toledo campus. Tailgates fill the lots, Rocket fans gather with friends and family, and anticipation builds throughout the afternoon. Then, as kickoff approaches, the boom of the cannon signals that it’s time for Rocket Football.
From the Biggest Party in Toledo and Homecoming to the annual Battle of I-75 rivalry game against Bowling Green, the 2026 schedule offers plenty of opportunities to experience one of Toledo’s favorite fall traditions.
2026 Home Games at the Glass Bowl
The Rockets return to the Glass Bowl for seven home games in 2026, giving fans plenty of opportunities to experience the excitement of Toledo Football. With a full slate of fall matchups ahead, there’s no shortage of chances to gather with friends and family, cheer on the Rockets and enjoy a gameday at one of Toledo’s most iconic venues. Get tickets at Football | University of Toledo
Sep. 12 (Sat) | Central Connecticut State | 3:30 PM | Biggest Party in Toledo
Sep. 19 (Sat) | Temple | 3:00 PM
Sep. 26 (Sat) | San Diego State | TBA
Oct. 10 (Sat) | Buffalo | TBA | Homecoming
Oct. 24 (Sat) | Western Michigan | TBA | Senior Day
Nov. 11 (Wed) | UMass | TBA
Nov. 20 (Fri) | Bowling Green | 7:30 PM | Battle of I-75
A New Era Built on a Storied Tradition
For nearly a century, Toledo Football has been building a tradition of success on the field and a passionate following in the Glass City. The Rockets have captured 12 Mid-American Conference championships, made 21 bowl appearances and established themselves as one of the MAC’s most consistent programs. Toledo has also produced generations of standout players and memorable teams, creating a legacy that continues to shape Rocket Football today.
Now, that tradition enters a new chapter.
In 2026, Mike Jacobs takes over as Toledo’s 28th head football coach, bringing a wealth of experience and a proven record of success to Northwest Ohio. A 24-year coaching veteran, Jacobs compiled a 94-23 record during 10 seasons as a head coach at Mercer, Lenoir-Rhyne and Notre Dame College, winning seven conference championships and earning five Coach of the Year honors.
Jacobs inherits a program that has remained a consistent presence near the top of the Mid-American Conference and has reached the MAC Championship Game in two of the past four seasons. The Rockets have also earned bowl eligibility in 16 consecutive seasons, one of the longest active streaks in the nation.
As the new era gets underway, Toledo returns key experience while adding a strong group of veteran transfers. The 2026 roster includes an experienced offensive line with four players who have starting experience, while junior quarterback John Alan Richter returns after throwing for 699 yards and seven touchdowns over the past two seasons. The Rockets have also welcomed 11 transfers who earned all-conference recognition at their previous schools, along with 2025 FCS Defensive Player of the Year Andrew Zock.
For fans, 2026 offers the best of both worlds: the opportunity to watch a new chapter of Toledo Football unfold while experiencing the traditions, rivalries and gameday atmosphere that have made Rocket Football a Toledo tradition for generations.
Gameday Traditions That Set the Glass Bowl Apart
Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, Toledo’s home gameday atmosphere is unmatched in the MAC:
- Live Music: Enjoy live music from some of the area’s top bands in Lot 10 every game this season. Performances begin two hours prior to kickoff.
- Big Screen TV: Check out college football games around the country before you head into the Glass Bowl on big screens located in Lot 10 and in the Launch Pad Student Tailgate.
- Brown Honda Kids Zone: Kids of all ages can have a ball with inflatables and other activities at the Kid Zone. The family-friendly fun begins 2 ½ hours prior to kickoff at UT Varsity Tennis Courts.
- Rocket Walk: Cheer on the Rockets as they walk to the locker room through Lot 10 before the game! The walk begins about 2 ½ hours before kickoff.
- Touchdown Tank: Someone gets dunked after every Toledo touchdown!
- Fireworks: Experience fireworks when the Rockets take the field, after every touchdown and after every Rocket victory!
- Rocket Motorsports Car: The College of Engineering and the University of Toledo Formula SAE Racing team have created a high-powered entrance when the team takes the field!
Where History and Gameday Magic Collide
The Glass Bowl was built in 1936 by a 300-man crew with only picks, shovels, and wheelbarrows, carved out of a natural ravine as a New Deal-era project. First known as University Stadium, it was reborn in 1946 after a wartime pause, rebuilt with glass blocks and an illuminated scoreboard honoring Toledo’s glass industry—and renamed the Glass Bowl. That same year, night football games began, sparking a tradition that still excites Rocket fans today.
From its original 8,000 seats, the stadium has grown into a modern 26,000-seat facility. Milestones include Astroturf in 1974, a major renovation in 1990, the Larimer Athletic Complex, a giant video scoreboard in 1999, and Field Turf in 2008. Yet its original stone towers, outer wall, and the roar of Rocket fans keep its soul intact.
With more than 75% home wins since the 1990 renovation, the Glass Bowl remains one of college football’s toughest home fields. The 2026 season is set to add another unforgettable chapter to this storied legacy.
Whether you’re coming for the game, the traditions, or the atmosphere, there’s nothing quite like a Rocket Football gameday in Toledo. Come early. Stay loud. And make 2026 a season to remember at the Glass Bowl.
