Come the Big Ten football season, all roads lead to Indianapolis, where the conference’s two best teams will meet on December 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium for the 2026 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game.
With the Big Ten title and College Football Playoff implications on the line, the championship game is always a must-see event. Most recently, No. 2 Indiana defeated No. 1 Ohio State in a matchup between the nation’s only two undefeated teams, securing Indiana’s first outright Big Ten title since 1945; then, Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers went on to become national champions.
This season, all 18 teams across the conference will battle through a relentless regular-season slate for one of two coveted spots at Lucas Oil Stadium. With the Amos Alonzo Stagg Championship Trophy, automatic postseason qualification, and a possible first-round bye in the 12-team College Football Playoff on the line, the race to Indy promises to deliver another historic finish.
Here’s everything you need to know for the 2026 Discover Big Ten Championship Game.
When is the 2026 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game?
The 2026 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game will be on Saturday, December 5, 2026. Game time is set for 8:00 p.m. ET.
Where is the 2026 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game?
The 2026 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game is at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., home of the Indianapolis Colts (NFL). The venue has hosted the title game annually since 2011.
You can get more venue information here.
How can I watch the 2026 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game?
The game will be broadcast live on FOX at 8:00 p.m. ET. You can also stream the matchup via the FOX Sports app.
Who plays in the Big Ten Football Championship Game?
The two teams with the best records in regular-season conference play will qualify for the championship game. Tiebreakers will be applied, if necessary. Each team plays nine conference games throughout the regular season.
Where can I get tickets to the 2026 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game?
Tickets are on sale now on Ticketmaster!
How much are tickets to the 2026 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game?
You can get full pricing information on Ticketmaster.
Who won the 2025 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game?
The Indiana Hoosiers won the 2025 Big Ten Football Championship Game, defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes 13-10 to capture their first conference title since 1967.
The No. 1 Buckeyes and No. 2 Hoosiers faced off in Indianapolis after matching 12-0 regular seasons. It was Indiana who came out victorious, with Fernando Mendoza’s touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt in the third quarter being the difference.
With the historic win, Indiana secured the top seed in the 2026 College Football Playoff before winning the program’s first national championship.
Recent Big Ten Championship Game winners
Here are the results of the Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game over the last 10 years:
|
Season
|
Big Ten Champion
|
Game Opponent
|
Championship Game Score
|
|
2025
|
Indiana Hoosiers
|
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
13–10
|
|
2024
|
Oregon Ducks
|
Penn State Nittany Lions
|
45–37
|
|
2023
|
Michigan Wolverines
|
Iowa Hawkeyes
|
26–0
|
|
2022
|
Michigan Wolverines
|
Purdue Boilermakers
|
43–22
|
|
2021
|
Michigan Wolverines
|
Iowa Hawkeyes
|
42–3
|
|
2020
|
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
Northwestern Wildcats
|
22–10
|
|
2019
|
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
Wisconsin Badgers
|
34–21
|
|
2018
|
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
Northwestern Wildcats
|
45–24
|
|
2017
|
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
Wisconsin Badgers
|
27–21
|
|
2016
|
Penn State Nittany Lions
|
Wisconsin Badgers
|
38–31
|
The road to Indianapolis starts in August. Stay in the loop all season long – click here.