GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The stars will be out in the southern sky! For the first time in program history, North Dakota hockey will head to the state of Texas to host the 2026 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game from the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park in Austin, Texas.
 
North Dakota will battle Michigan State on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 at 7:07 p.m. in the event, matching up two of the winningest programs in college hockey history.
 
"The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game in Austin is the type of event that we want to have both our student-athletes and fans experience," said UND Athletics Director Bill Chaves. "We are excited to have the opportunity that showcases our university, hockey program and student-athletes deep in the heart of Texas. We cannot wait for our kelly green to takeover Austin."
 
This will be the 105th all-time meeting between North Dakota and Michigan State, with UND holding a 64-37-3 all-time record in the series. The teams have only played four times in the last decade, with the Fighting Hawks recording a sweep in Nov. 2015 at Munn Arena and the Spartans grabbing a win and tie at Ralph Engelstad Arena the following season.
 
"We're looking forward to hosting a premier college hockey event that will provide an unmatched life experience for our student-athletes and offers our fans an exciting destination game weekend," said UND head coach Brad Berry. "The game, featuring two premiere college hockey programs promises to be an outstanding game. We are excited about playing a very good Michigan State team in the "Live Music Capital of the World."
 
North Dakota is no stranger to competing in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game, with the 2026 event serving as the 12th time UND will play in the event since it began being counted as a regular season contest. The Fighting Hawks are 8-3-0 in the previous 11 iterations of the game, including a 4-1 win last month over Providence in the 2024 game from the Ralph as well as a 6-0 victory over Michigan State in the 2007 game in Grand Forks.
 
UND has also enjoyed putting on some miles when hosting destination games, with previous spots including Winnipeg, Vancouver, New York City, Las Vegas and Nashville.
 
For more information regarding ticket information, a full schedule of events and more, visit TheRalph.com/Austin.