Western Kentucky Uniform Schedule 2026: Every Jersey and When the Hilltoppers Wear It

Western Kentucky has already worn three different helmets in four games, and the home schedule is built around matching the crowd: a White Out, a Black Out and a Red Out. This is the full WKU 2026 uniform schedule: the red, black and white helmets, the red and white jerseys, every game played so far and the expected look for the rest of the season, starting with the Conference USA opener at New Mexico State on Thursday, October 1. We update this page as each combination is confirmed.

The Western Kentucky 2026 Uniform Sets

The uniforms are Nike, and the Hilltoppers use all three of their colors, red, white and black, on every piece of the set. The Red Towel, the logo that comes from the towel coach E.A. Diddle waved on the bench for decades, is on two of the three helmets. The third carries the Tops script.

The schedule did WKU no favors early. The Hilltoppers opened with three straight road games, at Nevada, at No. 2 Georgia and at No. 4 Indiana, before finally coming home on September 26. That home opener was billed as a White Out, and head coach Tyson Helton's team matched it in all white, helmet included, in a 52-7 win over Mercyhurst. With a Black Out and a Red Out still on the home calendar, the same idea could repeat twice more.

The Full Western Kentucky 2026 Uniform Schedule, Week by Week

September 5 at Nevada. ★ Confirmed from WKU's own game photography, dated to the day of the game: red helmet, white jersey, red pants at Mackay Stadium in Reno. Nevada wore navy over gray. The Wolf Pack won 49-14.

September 12 at Georgia. ★ Confirmed from WKU's own game photography, dated to the day of the game: black helmet, red jersey, black pants. The Hilltoppers wore their color jersey on the road because No. 2 Georgia came out in its all-white set, with the first white helmet in Georgia history, at Sanford Stadium. Georgia won 70-20. Our Georgia 2026 uniform schedule has the Bulldogs side, and our Georgia all-white review grades their look.

September 19 at Indiana. ★ Confirmed from WKU's own game photography, dated to the day of the game: red helmet, white jersey, red pants, the same look as the opener at Nevada. No. 4 Indiana wore crimson over white and won 38-0. More on our Indiana 2026 uniform schedule.

September 26 vs. Mercyhurst. ★ Confirmed from WKU's own game photography, dated to the day of the game: white helmet, white jersey, white pants for the home opener, a White Out and Parent and Family Weekend at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Mercyhurst wore green. WKU won 52-7 for its first victory of the season.

October 1 at New Mexico State. White expected. The Conference USA opener on a Thursday night at Aggie Memorial Stadium in Las Cruces, 8 p.m. Eastern on CBS Sports Network. This game is tonight, and we will confirm the uniform after it is played.

October 8 vs. Missouri State. ★ Confirmed: head-to-toe black for the Black Out. Black helmet with the red and white center stripe, black jersey with red numerals outlined in white, black pants with a red, white and red stripe and "Tops" script on the hip, the first time this season WKU has worn a black jersey. Missouri State wore white helmets, white jerseys and white pants. WKU won 34-13.

October 14 at Sam Houston. White expected. A Wednesday night at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, Texas, 8 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2.

October 24. Bye.

October 27 vs. Delaware. Red expected. A Tuesday night Red Out and Youth Sports Night, 7 p.m. Eastern on CBS Sports Network. A Red Out is the natural home for the red jersey.

November 7 at Middle Tennessee. White expected. The 100 Miles of Hate rivalry at Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, 3:30 p.m. Eastern.

November 14 vs. Jacksonville State. Red expected. Homecoming at 3:30 p.m. Eastern, the home date most likely to bring something extra if WKU has it planned.

November 21 at Liberty. White expected. Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, 1 p.m. Eastern. Our Liberty 2026 uniform schedule has the Flames.

November 28 vs. Kennesaw State. Red expected. Senior Day and Big Red, White and Blue Day, an America 250 celebration, at 1 p.m. Eastern. A red, white and blue theme is a common date for a special patch or decal.

Will WKU Wear Black for the Black Out?

It is the best uniform question on the WKU calendar. The Hilltoppers already showed they will match a stadium theme: the September 26 White Out came with a white helmet, white jersey and white pants. The black helmet and black pants both came out at Georgia, under the red jersey. What we have not seen this season is a black jersey, so the October 8 Black Out against Missouri State will tell us whether WKU goes all the way or pairs the black pieces with red. The Red Out against Delaware on October 27 sets up the same question in red.

The Bottom Line

Four games into 2026, Western Kentucky has worn three helmets, two jerseys and three pant colors, and the team has shown it will dress to match the stands. The all-white White Out was the cleanest look so far, and the black helmet with the red jersey at Georgia was the boldest. The questions left are what the Hilltoppers wear for the Black Out, the Red Out and Homecoming. The grid above has every date, and we add a star as each uniform is confirmed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What jersey is Western Kentucky wearing this week?

WKU plays at New Mexico State on Thursday night, October 1, and the white road jersey is expected. The Hilltoppers wore white with the red helmet and red pants at Nevada and Indiana, and the red jersey at Georgia only because Georgia wore white at home. WKU has not announced its combination for the New Mexico State game.

What did WKU wear for the White Out?

The white helmet with the Red Towel logo, the white jersey and white pants for the home opener against Mercyhurst on September 26. WKU won 52-7.

When is the WKU Black Out game in 2026?

Thursday, October 8 against Missouri State at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, at 7 p.m. Eastern on CBS Sports Network. WKU's game day graphic shows a black helmet and black jersey for the Black Out, and the pants have not been shown yet.

What is the Red Towel on the WKU helmet?

It is the Hilltoppers' signature logo, a red towel that honors legendary coach E.A. Diddle, who carried a red towel on the bench throughout his career. It appears on WKU's black and white helmets in 2026.

Who makes Western Kentucky's uniforms?

Nike. The swoosh is on the jerseys and pants of every WKU set.

What is WKU's homecoming game in 2026?

Jacksonville State on Saturday, November 14 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green.