DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake University women's basketball has finalized its non-conference slate ahead of the 2026-27 season, the team announced today. The Bulldogs are lined up for a singular exhibition contest at home before embarking on a challenging 12-game non-MVC run before league play begins.

Fans can see the Bulldogs in action at home for the first time this season with an Oct. 28 exhibition matchup with Minnesota-Duluth.

The 2026-27 regular season will tip off on Nov. 3 as Eastern Illinois comes to Des Moines, rounding out a home-and-home series that began with a resounding Bulldog road win to start last season.

A loaded November will continue with Drake's first road bout at Kansas. The Bulldogs will head to Lawrence for a date with the Jayhawks on Nov. 6 inside Allen Fieldhouse, a cathedral of collegiate hoops.

Drake's annual Character Counts! Day will come early this year when Cleveland State visits Des Moines on Nov. 10. Drake will then take its first trip across the Missouri River to Omaha on Nov. 13 to take on the Mavericks before returning to DSM for another midwestern battle against St. Thomas on Nov. 17.

November 22 marks the first of four in-state rivalry tilts for the Bulldogs as Drake travels north to Ames to take on Bill Fennelly and a new-look Cyclone squadron. The last time Drake took the Hilton Coliseum floor, Iowa State needed a last-second lay-in from former star forward Audi Crooks to oust All-American Katie Dinnebier and the Bulldogs.

The Dogs will close their November schedule by hosting a multi-team event for the first time since the Vibrant Thanksgiving Classic in 2023. Drake will welcome Omaha, Saint Louis, and Detroit Mercy to the Knapp Center for the Drake Classic from Nov. 27-28. The Bulldogs will battle SLU on Black Friday before taking on the Titans of Detroit Mercy on Nov. 28.

As the calendar turns to December Drake will turn its focus back in-state when national contender Iowa treks to Des Moines on the first of the month. The Bulldogs are seeking their first win over Iowa in the last nine meetings when current assistant coach Becca Hittner led the blue and white to a victory with a 14-point, 10-assist double-double.

Drake's non-conference slate will finish with a trio of regional road trips including a return to Omaha to take on Creighton (Dec. 5) and journeys up the plains to North Dakota (Dec. 13) and South Dakota (Dec. 15).

Season tickets for Drake women's basketball will be available for purchase beginning Aug. 25. Season ticket holders will also be granted access to all Drake Classic contests.