Ohio State football is just a little over two weeks away. It won't be long before more than 100,000 fans are filling the 'Shoe to cheer on the Buckeyes. This year, OSU continues to invite fans to participate in the games more than ever before, with designated theme days. Since becoming the Ohio State Athletic Director two years ago, Ross Bjork has been adamant about making game day experiences exciting for all fans. In 2025, theme days included some of the usual suspects, such as inviting fans to wear all black for one game and all scarlet in another. 2025 also saw the first time fans were asked to wear specific colors depending on where they were sitting to "Stripe the 'Shoe," an attempt to replicate the football helmet stripe. This year, theme days are back, and we've got all the details for the games you might attend, directly from the Ohio State Athletics website.
Seven Saturdays in the ‘Shoe. The 2026 game themes are here. pic.twitter.com/X3Hi9YekPC — Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 14, 2026 Sept. 5 vs. Ball State
Honoring Coach Jim Tressel: It was previously announced that Ohio State will honor legendary head coach Jim Tressel with enshrinement in the Ohio Stadium Ring of Honor. Tressel will become the third coach in program history to receive the distinction, joining Paul Brown and Woody Hayes, and the first addition to the Ring of Honor since 2014.
Alumni Band & Spirit Day / Buckeyes Care: Ohio State's home opener will feature these long-running annual traditions. Specifically, through Buckeyes Care partners, 4,000 tickets for this game are made available to support community organizations for its partners.
Football Senior Day: Ohio State will recognize its senior class prior to kickoff, which will create a meaningful and celebratory moment to start the season. A complete list of honorees will be announced prior to kickoff.
Sept. 19 vs. Kent State
Helmet Stripe Game: All fans who are sitting in the Horseshoe of Ohio Stadium are encouraged to wear gray for this contest, while the students will once again wear colors corresponding to the Helmet Stripe on Ohio State's iconic helmet. The tradition returns after being introduced for the first time last season.
Scarlet & Gray Game: Ohio State will recognize all its student-athletes inside Ohio Stadium for Buckeye Nation to celebrate them.
Faculty & Staff Appreciation
Sept. 26 vs. Illinois
The weekend of Sept. 25-27 will serve as Ohio State's Hall of Fame Weekend, celebrating the latest class of Buckeye legends. Ohio State's game vs. Illinois will serve as the 'Buckeyes for a Cancer Free World' contest as it represents the collective initiatives of Buckeye Nation to support cancer research and patient care at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – OSUCCC – James.
Oct. 19 vs. Maryland
This game will serve as the centerpiece of Ohio State University's Homecoming Weekend. For more information and a full list of homecoming festivities, visit homecoming.osu.edu. Nov. 14 vs. Northwestern
This weekend's matchup will serve as Ohio State's Military Appreciation Game, presented by Anduril. Through the Our Honor Defend military appreciation program, Buckeye Nation will come together to recognize the veterans and service members who have served, are serving or will serve our country. Inspired by the values of duty, loyalty and courage, Our Honor Defend reflects Ohio State's pride in supporting military-connected students and honoring those who defend honor with character and integrity. Proceeds from officially licensed Our Honor Defend products support Ohio State Veterans, ROTC and other military-connected student scholarships.
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