San Diego State released its 2026 schedule on Wednesday, unveiling a 19-match slate that marks the program’s return to the Pac-12 after a two-year stint in the WAC as an affiliate member. The schedule features 10 home matches, nine road contests, and a travel itinerary that looks dramatically different from recent seasons.

In fact, only one match will be played outside California.

That game happens to be the conference opener.

The Aztecs begin Pac-12 play Sept. 30 at Oregon State, kicking off a new era in a conference that looks different than the one SDSU left after the 2023 season.

“It’s a homecoming of sorts,” head coach Ryan Hopkins said when the Pac-12 and Big West announced their men’s soccer partnership in March. “This collaboration will provide West Coast student-athletes with more access to the NCAA tournament and ensuring stability for programs in the future.”

The arrangement represents one of the more unique outcomes of college athletics realignment.

Through a partnership between the Pac-12 and Big West, California Baptist, Cal Poly, UC Riverside, and UC San Diego will join Oregon State, Gonzaga, and San Diego State in the conference.

A chance to turn the page

The return comes after a frustrating conclusion to the 2025 season.

The Aztecs entered the final weekend of the regular season tied atop the WAC standings before surrendering a late goal in a 2-1 loss at California Baptist. The defeat dropped SDSU from first place to fifth in the conference race.

A week later, San Jose State eliminated the Aztecs from the WAC Tournament for the second consecutive season, ending the year with a 4-0 defeat in Riverside.

The toughest tests

Three opponents on the schedule reached the 2025 NCAA Tournament, beginning with San Diego on Sept. 13.

The Toreros finished 13-3-3 last season and have reached the NCAA Tournament in four consecutive years. Four days later, SDSU heads north to face UC Santa Barbara, which went undefeated in Big West play and advanced to the conference championship match.

Then comes Oregon State.

The Beavers have appeared in six straight NCAA Tournaments and played for the national championship in 2023. Their matchup with SDSU on Sept. 30 serves as both the Aztecs’ conference opener and their only trip outside California.

Familiar faces and new conference rivals

Before conference play begins, SDSU will host Liberty, Navy, Cal State Bakersfield, Sacramento State, and Cal State Fullerton while also traveling to Cal Poly, San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, and Santa Clara.

The Aztecs open the season Aug. 20 against Liberty, a program SDSU has never faced.

Navy returns to the schedule for the first time since 1993.

One of the more interesting quirks involves Cal Poly. The Mustangs and Aztecs will meet twice this season — once Aug. 30 in a nonconference match and again Oct. 7 in a Pac-12 contest.

The conference slate also includes matches against Gonzaga, California Baptist, UC Riverside, and UC San Diego.

Only the top four teams qualify for the Pac-12 Tournament, making every conference result critical.

The semifinals are scheduled for Nov. 7, with the championship match set for Nov. 13 or 14.

San Diego State men’s soccer 2026 schedule

Home matches in CAPS

Aug. 15 — POINT LOMA (Friendly)

Aug. 20 — LIBERTY

Aug. 23 — NAVY

Aug. 27 — LIFE PACIFIC

Aug. 30 — at Cal Poly

Sept. 5 — CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD

Sept. 11 — SACRAMENTO STATE

Sept. 13 — at San Diego

Sept. 17 — at UC Santa Barbara

Sept. 20 — at Santa Clara

Sept. 26 — CAL STATE FULLERTON

Sept. 30 — at Oregon State*

Oct. 3 — at CSUN

Oct. 7 — CAL POLY*

Oct. 10 — GONZAGA*

Oct. 14 — at UC Irvine

Oct. 17 — at California Baptist*

Oct. 21 — UTAH VALLEY

Oct. 24 — at UC Riverside*

Oct. 31 — UC SAN DIEGO*

Nov. 7 — Pac-12 Tournament Semifinals

Nov. 13 or 14 — Pac-12 Tournament Final

*Pac-12 match

Roman Aguilar

Roman Aguilar (he/him/his) is a San Diego State graduate from Stockton, California. He joined The Daily Aztec in 2022, covering football, men’s basketball, and water polo before becoming Sports Editor for three years. Aguilar was also the sports director for KCR College Radio for two years, where he covered SDSU athletics, reviewed concerts, and interviewed artists. Outside the newsroom, he’s often at local shows or watching his favorite horror films.