NORMAL, Ill. -- The Illinois State swimming and diving team announced on Wednesday its meet schedule for the 2026-27 season.
The 10-meet schedule includes three home competitions at Horton Field House and concludes with the Missouri Valley Conference Championships hosted by Evansville on Feb. 17-20.
Entering their first season under the leadership of head coach Ryan Evans, the Redbirds will open the 2026-27 campaign at home on Friday, Oct. 2, when the Redbirds welcome Quincy University to Horton Pool. Illinois State then travels to Indiana State on Oct. 9 before visiting Ohio University for a two-day meet Oct. 15-16.
Illinois State returns home on Saturday, Nov. 7, to host Marquette University in the program's annual Senior Meet, recognizing the team's senior class.
The Redbirds close out the fall portion of the schedule at the Hawkeye Invitational in Iowa City, Iowa, from Nov. 17-20.
Conference competition resumes in January with a tri-meet against University of Illinois, Eastern Illinois University and Marquette University in Champaign on Jan. 9. Illinois State will also travel to Northern Iowa on Jan. 15-16 and Valparaiso on Jan. 22.
The regular season concludes with the annual Red vs. White Intrasquad Meet on Feb. 5 at Horton Pool before the Redbirds head to Evansville for the 2027 Missouri Valley Conference Championships, scheduled for Feb. 17-20.
"I am looking forward to an outstanding schedule for the 2026-27 season," said Evans. "It's a great mix of Missouri Valley opponents, Power 4 institutions and schools in Illinois. The schedule allows us to compete against top-level teams in preparation for our ultimate goal of racing and diving at the highest level at the Missouri Valley Conference Championship in February. I can't wait for my first meet leading the Redbirds on October 2!"
