How to watch the 2026 college football season: Week 1 schedule, where to stream every game and more

It's time for the return of NCAA football. In 2026, college football fans will have to work hard to keep up with their favorite teams, with games now airing across ABC, NBC, CBS, USA, ESPN, TNT, truTV, TBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network, FOX, FS1, NFL Network and BTN.

When it comes to getting access to every channel you'll need to watch the most games this season, we've got you covered. Here's what you need to know to watch the 2026-27 NCAA football season.

How to watch the 2026 NCAA college football season:

Dates: August 27, 2026 - January 25, 2027

TV channels: ESPN, NBC, CBS, Fox, FS1, ABC, TNT, truTV, and more

Streaming: YouTube TV, Fubo, DIRECTV and more

How to watch college football games in 2026:

College football games are broadcast across a vast range of channels, ranging from nationally televised games on networks like ABC, NBC, FOX and CBS, as well as niche channels that support college sports, like ESPNU, SEC Network, and ACC Network.

The 2026 NCAAF season begins on August 27 with Week Zero, with most games scheduled that week streaming on ESPN+. Notable matchups in these early weeks include the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin between North Carolina and TCU, airing on ESPN on Aug. 29, Colorado vs. Georgia Tech (Sept. 3, ESPN), Texas State vs Texas (Sept. 5, ESPN), and Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame (Sept. 6, NBC).

UMass at Rutgers: 6 p.m. (Big Ten Network)

Akron at Wake Forest: 7 p.m. (ACC Network)

West Georgia at Kennesaw State: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)

Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Missouri: 8 p.m. (SEC Network)

Eastern Illinois at Minnesota: 8 p.m. (Peacock)

UAB at Illinois: 9 p.m. (Big Ten Network)

San Jose State at Eastern Michigan: 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

Indiana State at Purdue: 7 p.m. (Big Ten Network)

North Carolina A&T at Georgia State: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)

Coastal Carolina at West Virginia: 12 p.m. (TNT/HBO Max)

New Hampshire at Syracuse: 12 p.m. (ACC Network)

Tarleton State at Bowling Green: 12 p.m. (ESPN+)

Liberty at James Madison: 12 p.m. (ESPNU)

Miami (Ohio) at Pitt: 12:30 p.m. (ESPN Unlimited and the CW Network)

Ball State at Ohio State: 12:30 p.m. (Big Ten Network)

Kent State at South Carolina: 12:45 p.m. (SEC Network)

Youngstown State at Kentucky: 1 p.m. (SECN+)

SE Missouri State at Iowa State: 1 p.m. (ESPN+)

Tennessee State at Georgia: 3 p.m. (SECN+)

Auburn vs. Baylor (Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta): 3:30 p.m. (ABC)

Boston College at Cincinnati: 3:30 p.m. (FOX)

The Citadel at Charlotte: 3:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

UT Rio Grande Valley at UTSA: 3:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

Fordham at North Dakota State: 3:30 p.m. (ESPN Unlimited and The CW Network)

Oklahoma State at Tulsa: 3:45 p.m. (ESPNU)

North Alabama at Arkansas: 4:15 p.m. (SEC Network)

Northern Illinois at Iowa: 4:15 p.m. (Big Ten Network)

Alcorn State at Southern Miss: 5 p.m. (ESPN+)

Wyoming at Colorado State: 6 p.m. (USA Network)

Norfolk State at Old Dominion: 6 p.m. (ESPN+)

Missouri State at Texas A&M: 7 p.m. (ESPN)

Austin Peay at Vanderbilt: 7 p.m. (SECN+)

Abilene Christian at Texas Tech: 7 p.m. (FS1)

Nicholls at Kansas State: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)

Idaho State at Utah State: 7 p.m. (CBSSN)

Arkansas State at Memphis: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)

Houston Christian at Rice: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)

Florida International at South Florida: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)

Murray State at Middle Tennessee: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)

Eastern Kentucky at Jacksonville State: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)

Charleston Southern at Georgia Southern: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)

SE Louisiana at South Alabama: 7 p.m. (ESPN+)

UL Monroe at Mississippi State: 7:30 p.m. (ESPNU)

VMI at Virginia Tech: 7:30 p.m. (ACC Network)

Western Michigan at Michigan: 7:30 p.m. (NBC)

Northwestern State at Louisiana Tech: 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

Florida Atlantic at Florida: 7:45 p.m. (SEC Network)

Hampton at Maryland: 8 p.m. (Big Ten Network)

South Dakota State at Northwestern: 8 p.m. (Big Ten Network)

Morgan State at Arizona State: 9 p.m. (ESPN+)

Mercyhurst at New Mexico State: 9 p.m. (ESPN+)

Northern Arizona at Arizona: 9:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

Portland State at San Diego State: 9:30 p.m. (USA Network)

UNLV at Hawai'i: 10 p.m. (ESPN Unlimited and The CW Network)

Central Michigan at New Mexico: 10 p.m. (FS1)

Mississippi Valley State at Sacramento State: 10 p.m. (ESPN+)

Western Kentucky at Nevada: 10:30 p.m. (CBSSN)

Texas Southern at Prairie View A&M: 12 p.m. (ESPN2)

Florida A&M vs. South Carolina State (Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.): 3 p.m. (ESPN)

Washington State at Washington: 4 p.m. (NBC)

Ole Miss vs. Louisville (Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.): 7:30 p.m. (ABC)

Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin (Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.): 7:30 p.m. (NBC)