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College Football on TV Today: Schedule & Games

Noah Daniel Hayes Reed • 2026-07-09 • Reviewed by Maya Thompson

If you’re searching for college football on TV today, you’re likely hoping for a Saturday afternoon full of big hits and last-minute touchdowns, but on July 9, 2026, the gridiron is quiet — the regular season hasn’t kicked off yet. Don’t click away, though: we’ll show you exactly what’s airing, how to plan for the coming weeks, and the best ways to watch every game once the season starts.

Live events today: Big 12 Media Days (11:00 AM ET, ESPNU) ·
Next regular-season game: Thursday, August 27, 2026 ·
Networks with season coverage: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, ACC Network ·
Streaming options: ESPN+, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, Sling TV

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • Today: Big 12 Media Days (offseason conference event) (Sports Media Watch (TV schedule tracker))
  • August 27, 2026: First regular-season game of the season (ESPN (official schedule))
4What’s next

The numbers confirm the quiet period: no games, only media events.

Key facts at a glance
Label Value
Number of games today 0 (offseason; only media day events)
Networks airing games ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, ACC Network
Top-ranked matchup in 2026 #1 Georgia vs #4 Alabama (3:30 PM ET, CBS) – scheduled for later in season
Earliest regular-season kickoff 12:00 PM ET (August 27, 2026, ESPN)
Latest regular-season kickoff 10:30 PM ET (ESPN2)

Which match will be live today?

As of July 9, 2026, there are no live college football games. The season is in its offseason period, with conference media days filling the TV schedule. The only football-related live programming today is the Big 12 Media Days, airing at 11:00 AM ET on ESPNU (Sports Media Watch (TV schedule tracker)). Media days provide previews, coach interviews, and player availability — but not actual game action.

If you’re looking for a game, the 2026 season kicks off on Thursday, August 27, with North Carolina at TCU at 12:00 PM ET on ESPN (ESPN (official schedule)). The full schedule including all weeks is available now, but the games haven’t started yet.

Top matchups to watch (when the season starts)

  • #1 Georgia vs #4 Alabama – 3:30 PM ET, CBS (ESPN (official schedule))
  • USC at Stanford – 3:00 PM ET, NBC (ESPN (official schedule))
  • Fresno State at USC – 9:00 PM ET, FOX (ESPN (official schedule))
Bottom line: No live game today. The first kickoff is August 27. For fans craving action: tune into Big 12 Media Days on ESPNU or plan your season schedule now.

The implication is clear: fans must wait until late August for live action, but media days offer a preview.

What teams are playing today?

Because the 2026 season hasn’t started, there are no team matchups today. However, the Big 12 Media Days feature representatives from all 16 Big 12 schools — including coaches and players — giving fans a preview of the season ahead (Sports Media Watch (TV schedule tracker)). This is the closest you’ll get to team-specific content today.

When the season arrives, you can find every matchup on ESPN (official schedule) or NCAA.com (TV schedule authority). The full list of teams playing each week is published well in advance.

All game matchups (once the season begins)

  • Every game, from Week 0 through the bowl season, is listed with time, network, and location on ESPN (official schedule).
  • Conference-specific matchups are also available on the SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and ACC Network schedule pages.
The upshot

No teams face off today. But the Big 12 Media Days give you a taste of what’s coming. Use the ESPN schedule page to bookmark your favorite team’s first game.

The pattern: offseason means no matchups, but the preview events are the next best thing for team content.

Where can I watch football today live?

Today’s football-adjacent programming is limited to Big 12 Media Days on ESPNU. But if you’re already planning for the season, here’s how to watch every game live once the season starts.

Streaming options

  • ESPN+ – Exclusively streams select games, including Buffalo at Miami (7:00 PM ET) on the season’s opening Thursday (ESPN (official schedule)).
  • Hulu + Live TV – Includes ESPN, ABC, FOX, NBC, and CBS (varies by market).
  • YouTube TV – Offers all major sports networks and unlimited DVR.
  • FuboTV – Markets college football streaming with access to Big Ten, CBS, ACC, SEC, ESPN, and 200+ channels (Fubo (streaming platform)).
  • Sling TV – Sling Blue + Orange package includes ESPN, ESPN2, and FOX (Sling TV (streaming provider)).

Cable TV channels

  • ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC – Broadcast networks airing games nationally.
  • ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU – Cable sports leaders.
  • SEC Network, Big Ten Network, ACC Network – Conference-specific channels.

For a full list of where each game will air, check ESPN’s “Where to Watch” page (official viewing guide).

Local broadcasts

If you’re within range of a local affiliate, you can watch games on ABC, CBS, FOX, or NBC over the air with a digital antenna. This is a free option for many games, especially those on broadcast networks. Check your local listings on TV Insider (TV listings aggregator).

What to watch

For today, only ESPNU carries live football content (Big 12 Media Days). But by mid-August the streaming and cable options will be in full swing. Set up your streaming service now to avoid last-minute panic.

What this means: today is a planning day; set up your services now to be ready for August 27.

What is the college football schedule for today?

Today’s schedule is sparse. The only live event is Big 12 Media Days at 11:00 AM ET on ESPNU (Sports Media Watch (TV schedule tracker)). Otherwise, networks are airing offseason programming, repeats, and previews. For instance, TV Insider lists scheduled college football programming blocks that are archival content rather than live games (TV Insider (TV listings aggregator)).

Full schedule of games (when the season starts)

  • Complete weekly schedule with times, networks, and locations is available on ESPN (official schedule).
  • NCAA.com also maintains a TV schedule updated through the bowl season (NCAA.com (TV schedule authority)).
  • FOX Sports has its own schedule page with weekly listings and odds (FOX Sports (schedule page)).
Bottom line: Today’s schedule is limited to media days. But you can preview the full 2026 season on ESPN, NCAA.com, and FOX Sports. Bookmark those pages to stay updated.

The implication: this quiet day is a good time to study the full season schedule on ESPN and NCAA.com.

What is the college football TV schedule this weekend?

This weekend (July 10–11, 2026) is also in the offseason. There are no games on Saturday or Sunday. The next scheduled game is August 27. However, you can check the Sports Media Watch (TV schedule tracker) for any late-breaking changes, though none are expected.

Saturday games (starting August 30)

  • The first full Saturday of the season is August 30, 2026, with a slate of games across ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and more.
  • Check the ESPN schedule page a week prior for the confirmed lineup.

Sunday games

  • Sunday games are rare in college football. The 2026 schedule does not list any Sunday games at this point, except possibly bowl games later in December.

The pattern: regular-season games are almost exclusively on Saturdays, with a few Thursday and Friday night contests.

The catch

No weekend games until late August. Don’t let the offseason lull fool you — the schedule is already set. Use the downtime to compare streaming services and choose your game-day setup.

The catch: no weekend games now, but August 30 will be the first full Saturday; use the time to compare streaming packages.

“The daily schedule is updated as soon as broadcast decisions are finalized. We aim to give fans the most accurate times and channels as early as possible.”

— ESPN schedule editor (via ESPN (official schedule))

“The official TV rights are distributed across multiple networks to ensure maximum accessibility. Fans should check the official NCAA.com schedule for the most authoritative listings.”

— NCAA spokesperson (via NCAA.com (TV schedule authority))

For fans in the US, the implication is clear: you have a few weeks to get your streaming subscriptions sorted, or you’ll miss the opening kickoff. For cord-cutters, the choice is straightforward: sign up for a service that includes ESPN, ABC, and your local CBS/FOX affiliate — or risk scrambling on game day. For cable subscribers, simply check your local listings and set your DVR now.

Related reading: college football TV schedule · college football TV schedule

Frequently asked questions

How can I watch college football without cable?

Streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, and Sling TV all carry major sports networks. ESPN+ is an add-on for exclusive games. Check each service’s channel lineup for your area.

What is the best streaming service for college football?

YouTube TV and FuboTV offer the most comprehensive sports coverage, including ESPN, FOX, CBS, NBC, and conference networks. Hulu + Live TV is also strong if you want bundled Disney+ and ESPN+.

How to find local college football games that are not on national TV?

Use the ESPN “Where to Watch” page or your local TV listings. Games on local affiliates (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC) are often available over the air with a digital antenna.

What time does the first college football game start today?

There are no games today. The first regular-season game is August 27 at 12:00 PM ET.

Are there any college football games on tonight?

No. Tonight’s programming includes only media day coverage and repeats. Check the schedule for the season opener.

How to get college football scores live?

ESPN, CBS Sports, and NCAA.com offer live scoreboards. The ESPN app sends push notifications for your favorite teams.

What is the ESPN+ schedule for today?

ESPN+ is not airing any live college football today. Its schedule resumes with the season opener in August.

Can I watch college football games on YouTube TV?

Yes. YouTube TV includes ESPN, FOX, NBC, CBS, and ABC (where available). It also offers unlimited DVR to record games.



Noah Daniel Hayes Reed

About the author

Noah Daniel Hayes Reed

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.