Michigan State football officially announces date for 2026 spring game

The month of March is rapidly approaching, which can only mean one thing: the return of Michigan State football.

OK, so that’s obviously not the one thing that comes to everyone’s mind, especially anyone who pays attention to college basketball, but the return of spring ball is definitely on the radar.

Pat Fitzgerald has taken over the Michigan State football program that was left in a pretty dark place after Jonathan Smith won just nine games over the past two seasons and he took over after Mel Tucker was fired. The program hasn’t really had any juice since the 2021 season and that was due, in large part, to Kenneth Walker III (Super Bowl MVP, by the way) being the best offensive weapon in college football.

The new head coach has called Michigan State a “sleeping giant” and he’s been slowly returning the culture to where it was during the Mark Dantonio era.

Fitzgerald has brought back Max Bullough as his linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator and Courtney Hawkins also returns under his third straight staff as the receivers coach.

There’s finally excitement surrounding the Michigan State football program, and fans can’t wait to see what the new team looks like during spring ball.

Michigan State’s “Spring Showcase” is back

Under Smith, Michigan State had a “Spring Showcase” instead of a spring game, and that carried over from the Tucker era. It looks like that’s being brought back again under Fitzgerald.

While most fans would enjoy just a normal spring game, it may not be possible to field an entirely healthy one every year, so they’re instead treated to drills and a small scrimmage. I’m assuming that’s what this year’s Spring Showcase will be, too.

Now there’s officially a date for it.

Michigan State fans will get their first public look at the 2026 team during the April 18 Spring Showcase at Spartan Stadium. It’s hard to believe that we’re less than two months away from football being our main focus, but March is almost upon us, signaling the end of hoops season.

There’s going to be plenty to watch for during the Spring Showcase from the new-look offense to all-new special teams, to a defense that needs to find its toughness again.

I know I’m excited.