LONG AWAITED 2027 Mizzou Gym schedule released

I have been sleuthing out the Tigers' schedule the past few weeks as other SEC teams released theirs and by using my best deductive reasoning skills, I had it allllllll figured out, except one week. [pats self on back approvingly]. On October 13, it was finally released, and now we can finally talk about it! **

**several days after the fact, but you guys, I tried and I'm super busy

In case you lived on another planet last year, let me remind you, the best team at the University of Missouri — it's true!! — entered the season with their highest preseason ranking in program history at no. 7, and finished the season ranked no. 11 (no. 8 in the regular season). The 2026 season, while you could ultimately say ended in disappointment— we want so much more for our favorite team!!! — featured first-time wins in Lexington and at Neville Arena, a program-best win over no. 2 Florida, and a trip to their sixth consecutive Regional Finals.

The Tigers' season-high score was a 197.55 earned in late February at the Mizzou Quad . They had a .500 record in the vaunted Southeastern Conference and finished 6-2 at home. Mizzou finished the season ranked 7th nationally on floor, 10th on vault and bars, and 11th on beam. If not for some beam wonkiness at season's end they would have been top 10 in all four apparatuses. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The 2026 Tigers racked up a bunch of honors, including a SEC Specialist of the Year (for the third consecutive year) for Hannah Horton, WCGA Regular Season All-American honors for Addison Lawrence and Kimarra Echols, consecutive WCGA South Central Regional Coach of the Year awards for head coach Shannon Welker, a SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year for Lauren Macpherson, a WCGA Regional Assistant Coach of the Year for Jackie Terpak, a Regional title for Hannah, and an SEC-leading 10 All-SEC honors .

Anyway…. now that that's out of the way, more on the schedule.

The Tigers' unofficial start to the season will be the annual Black & Gold meet, which is (weirdly, in my eyes) much later than normal, and not scheduled until January 2 at 5pm. You can read how last year's meet went here .

To officially start the new season, the Tigers will ring in 2027 with an all-Big 10 matchup at Zou to the Lou on Friday, January 8, which makes its triumphant return after a year off and is the first of two podium meets scheduled during the regular season. This year's iteration will feature Illinois, Nebraska, and Iowa, and with it being during winter break (and at the Family Arena in St. Charles), I don't expect a massive crowd, as much as I'd love to see it.

IOWA ended the 2026 season ranked no. 17 nationally (no. 19 in the regular season) with a 196.473 NQS, 196.398 average, and 196.825 high score. Their best event was bars (no. 12), led by Aurelie Tran, who in September announced an achilles tear which will put her out of commission for the 2027 season. The Hawkeyes' weakest event was beam and floor (no. 24). Iowa's season ended in the second round of the Corvallis Regional (the so-called region of death) in what ended up being a very exciting matchup with Minnesota and UCLA for a trip to the Regional Final.

As for the last time Mizzou and Iowa matched up, it was the Zou to the Lou meet on Valentine's Day 2025 when Kennedy Griffin scored her first 10 on floor. The Tigers were victorious, scoring a 197.150 that beat Alabama (196.675), Illinois (196.225) and Iowa (195.00). NEBRASKA ended its season ranked no. 32 (no. 34 in regular season), with a 195.561 NQS, 195.589 average and 196.825 high score. The Cornhuskers made appearance in the second round of the Baton Rouge Regional. Floor was the weakest link for the Huskers in 2026 (no. 44), while bars was the best (no. 25). The Huskers and Tigers crossed paths just last year in Lincoln , when Mizzou (197.275) outlasted Nebraska (194.600), UW-LaCrosse (192.100) and UW-Stout (184.675) .

As for the last time Mizzou and Iowa matched up, it was the Zou to the Lou meet on Valentine's Day 2025 when Kennedy Griffin scored her first 10 on floor. The Tigers were victorious, scoring a 197.150 that beat Alabama (196.675), Illinois (196.225) and Iowa (195.00).

NEBRASKA ended its season ranked no. 32 (no. 34 in regular season), with a 195.561 NQS, 195.589 average and 196.825 high score. The Cornhuskers made appearance in the second round of the Baton Rouge Regional. Floor was the weakest link for the Huskers in 2026 (no. 44), while bars was the best (no. 25). The Huskers and Tigers crossed paths just last year in Lincoln , when Mizzou (197.275) outlasted Nebraska (194.600), UW-LaCrosse (192.100) and UW-Stout (184.675) .

The biggest change for the Huskers in the offseason was a complete overhaul of their coaching staff, as they brought in former Michigan State assistants Nicole Jones (new head coach) and Devin Wright (assistant) in late April, and then added former Oklahoma all-around national champ and Lincoln native Jordan Gamboa (née Bowers) in early May. I recall Ms. Bowers cheering for Mizzou last season while sitting with the Wier Family; I guess that won't happen this year, huh?

ILLINOIS ended its season ranked no. 42 with a 195.790 NQS, 195.173 average and 196.175 high score, missing out on a regional berth. Floor was the weakest link for the Illini in 2026 (no. 48), while bars was the best (no. 34). The Illini were led by Chloe Cho, who (thankfully) will be back for her junior year. The Illini and Tigers regularly cross paths at least once a season, and 2026 was no exception , as they came face-to-face in the Mizzou Quad , with the Tigers earning a season-high 197.550 to Illinois' third place 195.450 (they finished behind Air Force, but in front of Ball State). FUN FACT: Mizzou had six home meets in 2026 so this high score vanished from their NQS. Won't make that mistake again, I'm sure!

Then, the Tigers will head back to CoMo to kick off Southeastern Conference competition in Week 2, welcoming new Mizzou coach Oleksii 's former team, the Georgia Bulldogs, to Mizzou Arena on Friday, January 15.

GEORGIA finished last season ranked no. 6 (also no. 6 in regular season) with a trip to the National Semifinals. They earned a 197.391 NQS, 197.404 average and 198.075 high score. All four of UGA's apparatuses were ranked in the top 10 nationally, including their best, floor (no. 3) and vault (no. 5). In last year's regular season meeting in Athens , the Tigers earned their best road score to date, a 197.300, but Georgia's strong floor rotation allowed them to take over the lead and ultimately secure the W with a season-high 197.600. They also faced off head-to-head in the earlier session of the SEC Championships, where UGA was again victorious, winning 197.450 to Mizzou's runner-up 197.075. I'll be honest; I like this team. They have some really F-U-N athletes on their team in CaMarah Williams, Kelise Woolford, Nyla Aquino and the Nastia Liukin-esque Lily Smith. And now they have Josc Roberson, as well!

In Week 3, the Tigers head to the The Swamp, where they will take on a smaller than anticipated Florida squad at Gainesville's Exactech Arena on Friday, January 22. Two of the three athletes dismissed from the team figured to once again be big contributors to the Gators.

FLORIDA finished last season ranked no. 3 in the final polls (no. 3 in the regular season) with a trip to the national championships, where they finished third behind Oklahoma and LSU. The Gators had a 197.753 NQS , 197.714 average, and 198.575 high score. Their top events were beam and bars, both ranked first nationally, and both floor (no. 6) and vault (no. 9) were in the top 10. The Gators will surely be out for revenge after the Tigers took them down in CoMo last season , 197.200 to 196.500, earning their first dual meet win against Florida since March 2018.

In Week 4, the Tigers return home to the friendly confines of Mizzou Arena to face the big cats of Kentucky on Friday, January 29.

KENTUCKY finished last season ranked no. 18 in the final polls (no. 16 in regular season) ending their season in the second round of the NCAA Regionals as the host team in Lexington. The Wildcats posted a 196.55 NQS, 196.418 average and 197.325 high score. Kentucky's best event was vault, which they were ranked no. 12 nationally and featured a variety of cool, interesting vaults, and their worst was bars (no. 19). Mizzou and Big Blue Nation actually faced each other numerous times last season, earning a just-okay (despite it being their first win in Lex) win, 196.825 to 196.800, and then again in the Lexington Regional, where Mizzou advanced and Kentucky… did not.

KENTUCKY finished last season ranked no. 18 in the final polls (no. 16 in regular season) ending their season in the second round of the NCAA Regionals as the host team in Lexington. The Wildcats posted a 196.55 NQS, 196.418 average and 197.325 high score. Kentucky's best event was vault, which they were ranked no. 12 nationally and featured a variety of cool, interesting vaults, and their worst was bars (no. 19).

Mizzou and Big Blue Nation actually faced each other numerous times last season, earning a just-okay (despite it being their first win in Lex) win, 196.825 to 196.800, and then again in the Lexington Regional, where Mizzou advanced and Kentucky… did not.

In Week 5, the Tigers will complete in a two-fer, first facing off against defending national champ Oklahoma at the Lloyd Noble Center on Friday, February 5, before heading over to Fort Worth Convention Center for the Metroplex Challenge on Sunday, February 7, where they will face Georgia, Oklahoma (again), and NC State. It should be noted on MUTigers.com, the results against UGA & OU at the latter meet will not count in the overall conference record. Per The Maneater's Ben Hartong, Mizzou has competed in the Metroplex meet three times (2011, 2016, 2019).

OKLAHOMA , now in its third year in the SEC, finished the season (obviously) ranked no. 1 (no. 2 in regular season) with a 197.980 NQS and 197.971 average score. Their high score was a 198.425, and the Sooners convincingly won yet another national title. The Tigers came face-to-face with the Fightin' KJ Kindlers in the Lexington regional finals and during the regular season as the SEC home opener at the Tigers' new home, Mizzou Arena. Mizzou put together three super solid events in the duel, and one not-so-much (bars), with OU coming out on top, 197.425 – 196.925.

NC State – ended the season ranked no. 24 in the final polls (no. 21 in regular season) with a 196.452 NQS, 196.438 average, and 197.150 high score . The Pack had all four apparatuses ranked in the top 25, with bars and floor coming in strongest at no. 18. Missouri and NC State faced off in the second round of the Lexington Regional, where Mizzou advanced with a 196.875 to the NCSU's 195.700. GEORGIA – see above

NC State – ended the season ranked no. 24 in the final polls (no. 21 in regular season) with a 196.452 NQS, 196.438 average, and 197.150 high score . The Pack had all four apparatuses ranked in the top 25, with bars and floor coming in strongest at no. 18. Missouri and NC State faced off in the second round of the Lexington Regional, where Mizzou advanced with a 196.875 to the NCSU's 195.700.

The following weekend, the Tigers return home to face Alabama for a Week 6 matchup on Friday, February 12.

ALABAMA finished up last season ranked no. 9 in the final polls (no. 5 in the regular season) with a 197.498 NQS, 197.504 average, and 197.950 high score. I would call their season a disappointment simply for the way it ended, with an out in the Corvallis Regional Final when many expected a trip to the national championships for the Crimson Tide. Bama had all four events ranked in the top 10 nationally, including no. 2 on both bars and floor. The Tigers traveled to Tuscaloosa for their SEC opener in 2026, and they put together four good rotations despite receiving what I described as some curious scores . Ultimately, Alabama came out on top, 197.500 – 197.225.

In Week 7 on February 19, Missouri heads to Fayetteville to rematch with Arkansas, who tragically ended their season in the Lexington Regional Finals last year. The University of Arkansas is about a five-hour trip from CoMo, so I likely will make this drive.

ARKANSAS ended the season ranked no. 7 in the final polls (no. 9 in regular season) with a 197.170 NQS, 197.115 average, and 197.700 high score . The Gymbacks were strongest on vault and beam (no. 6), but just no. 16 on bars. Arky and Mizzou faced off a number of times head-to-head in 2026, with Mizzou taking the dual meet in the home finale (at Hearnes) by a score of 197.425 to 197.225, along with a head-to-head victory in the early session of the SEC Championships . Then, the Fightin Jordyn Wiebers got the best of the Tigers in both sessions of the Lexington Regionals . (sad face.) Arkansas' season ultimately ended in the national semifinals, and it was announced soon after that Wieber would be retiring from coaching. Her husband Chris, already on staff, takes over as the new head honcho. The Hogs will also look different athlete-wise, without the effervescent Price sisters (graduated), and Joscelyn Roberson, who transferred to Georgia in the offseason.

To end February with a bang, Mizzou will then welcome a Ryan Roberts-coached, new-look Auburn Tigers team to Columbia on Sunday, February 28 for a Week 8 matchup. Roberts was previously Georgia's co-head coach for two years, and has spent eight seasons in the SEC.

AUBURN finished last season ranked no. 25 (no. 17 in regular season) with 196.498 NQS, 196.517 average. and 197.250 high score. Their best events were vault and beam (no. 14), and weakest was bars (no. 28). The Tigers' season ended in the second round of the Baton Rouge Regional, and longtime head coach Jeff Graba departed soon after. In their last regular season meeting, Mizzou finally took a win at Neville Arena for the first time ever, earning a season-high road score of 197.325 to Auburn's 196.700. Mizzou also beat them at the SEC Championships early session.

To kick off March, the Tigers head to Iowa City to re-match Iowa for a second time this season. Per SID Ryan, the last time Missouri went to the University of Iowa was March of 2006.

To close out the regular season, the Tigers head to Baton Rouge to face the LSU Tigers on Friday, March 12.

LSU finished last season ranked no. 2 in the final polls (no. 2 in the regular season) with a 197.920 NQS and 197.865 average. Their high score was a 198.325. The Bayou Bengals finished their season with a runner up finish in the national championships, and had all events ranked in the top 3. Vault was second thanks to Kailin Chio (and others). Floor was tops nationwide, and both bars and beam were no. 3. The dueling striped cats faced each other in Columbia last year where Mizzou was woefully underscored , and the wrong Tigers narrowly won the meet, 197.675 – 197.500.

The SEC Championships will take place on March 20 and feature all nine SEC teams, with five teams in one session and four in the other. While two years ago, the Tigers made it into the night session (with higher scoring potential), they were part of the early session in 2026, finishing just behind Georgia (recap linked above).

The meet will be held in Tampa at the Benchmark International Arena, which I'm super excited about since my fam lives there! And, I should note, the Sunshine State is the home state of several Tigers, including recently retired Rayna Light (Brandon), as well as freshmen Imani White (Orlando) and Kendall Morgan (West Palm Beach).

Regionals will be held during the week of March 31 – April 4, with possible site locations in Fayetteville, Denver, Athens and Raleigh. The National Championships will be held April 15 (Semis) & 17 (Final) at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.

Can't wait for the season to start! Bring on some intrasquads… PLEASE!