DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake women's basketball has finalized its non-conference schedule ahead of the upcoming 2025-26 season. The Bulldogs are set for an opening exhibition game prior to nine contests outside of Missouri Valley Conference play.

Drake's initial exhibition match will take place on Oct. 29 in the Knapp Center as the Bulldogs host Dakota Wesleyan.

The Dogs' regular season slate will then start on Nov. 3 with a road trip to Eastern Illinois. The month will continue with a trio of regional rivalries as Big East member Creighton (Nov. 9) and Big 12 member Iowa State (Nov. 20) visit Des Moines and Drake will travel to Iowa City for a date with the Hawkeyes from the Big Ten (Nov. 13). The Bluejays, Cyclones, and Hawkeyes all participated in the NCAA Tournament last season and boasted a combined record of 72-30.

The week of Thanksgiving, Drake will hit Broadway for a pair of neutral site matchups as part of the Music City Classic. The Bulldogs will tip it up on Nov. 25 and 26 against opponents to be determined in Nashville, Tenn.

December will feature a foursome of non-league tilts with three coming at home. The Dogs are set to host Lindenwood on Dec. 3 for their annual Character Counts! Day with Drake Women's Basketball and Western Illinois on Dec. 7. Both Lindenwood and WIU represented the Ohio Valley Conference in postseason play last season participating in the WNIT. Lindenwood advanced as far as the quarterfinals, while the Leathernecks won their opening round game.

For its final two non-conference meetings, Drake will take on two teams that neighbor to the north. The Bulldogs are slated to travel to St. Thomas on Dec. 13 and will welcome the Golden Gophers of Minnesota to the Knapp Center for the non-MVC finale on Dec. 21. The Gophers are coming off a successful 2024-25 season which saw the program win 25 games and claim the WBIT Championship.

Drake women's basketball season tickets are now available for purchase here.