ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Golden Grizzlies officially open their season with a pair of Power Four showdowns against Marquette on Thursday and Wisconsin on Sunday, as Oakland begins its 2026 campaign.

Oakland played three exhibition matches to prepare for the opener, now beginning the season with matchups against two worthy opponents.

Thursday, Aug. 20 @ Marquette | 7 p.m. ET | ESPN+

The Golden Eagles and Golden Grizzlies face off to open the season, as both teams look to begin the year on the right foot.

Oakland has historically dominated its meetings with Marquette, winning five of six and currently riding a four-game head-to-head winning streak over the Big East foe. The Golden Grizzlies have come out on top against Marquette, 4-1, in each of the last two meetings, but those games took place in 2003 and 2004, as the teams will share the pitch for the first time in more than 20 years.

In 2025, the Golden Eagles went 7-6-2 overall but were 6-0-2 in non-conference matchups, scoring 10 goals against opponents outside the Big East. Marquette also returns leading scorer Mad Konrad Horgoien, who scored six goals in 2025.

Sunday, Aug. 23 @ Wisconsin | 3 p.m. ET | BTN+

Oakland will follow up its game Thursday with a weekend matchup against the Badgers. The teams have met just three times in their histories, with the last meeting coming in 2009, when Wisconsin earned a 1-0 victory at home.

The Badgers will host Oakland after opening their season Thursday against Saint Mary's (Calif.). In 2025, Wisconsin went 8-8, including a 4-2 record in home non-conference games.

The team was middle of the pack statistically last season, scoring 22 goals while allowing opponents to score the same amount. Wisconsin ranked last in the Big Ten in shots on goal (60) and total shots (155).

A methodical pace of play from the Badgers will go toe-to-toe with an electric offensive squad in the Golden Grizzlies. The 2026 season is officially underway for Oakland, and this pair of high-profile matches sets the tone for an exciting autumn.