If you're waking up today, January 13, 2026, and your first thought is wondering if there are any football games on today, I’ve got some news for you. It’s a bit of a mixed bag depending on what kind of "football" you’re actually looking for.
Honestly, the NFL wild-card chaos just wrapped up last night. If you caught the Houston Texans absolutely dismantling the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 on Monday Night Football, you saw a masterclass in defense. But because that Monday night game just finished, the NFL is taking a breather.
There are no NFL games today.
We’re in that weird midweek lull between the Wild Card round and the Divisional round. But don't throw your remote at the wall yet. While the big American pigskin is on a break until Saturday, the rest of the world is basically on fire with soccer and other major sports.
The NFL Situation: Why It's Quiet Right Now
Basically, the league needs a few days to breathe. We just finished one of the more intense opening playoff weekends in recent memory. Matthew Stafford and the Rams survived a 34-31 nail-biter against the Panthers on Saturday, and now everyone is looking toward the Divisional matchups.
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If you were hoping for a Tuesday night fluke game, it's not happening. The bracket is set. We know the San Francisco 49ers are heading to Seattle to face the Seahawks this Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. We know the Bills are going to Denver. But for today? The pads are off, and the players are in the cold tubs.
Soccer is Carrying the Load Today
If you're willing to look across the pond, there is plenty of "football" to go around. Tuesday, January 13, is actually a massive day for European cup competitions and domestic leagues.
The biggest match on the calendar is undoubtedly in the English League Cup. We’ve got Newcastle taking on Manchester City at 8:00 p.m. local time (around 3 p.m. ET for those in the States). Whenever City is on the pitch, you know you’re getting high-level tactical play, even if they rotate the squad for the cup.
But wait, there's more. A lot more.
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- Germany (Bundesliga): There is a full slate of mid-week action. Borussia Dortmund is hosting Werder Bremen, and the high-flying Bayer Leverkusen is taking on Hamburg. These are crucial matches for the table.
- Spain (Copa del Rey): Atletico Madrid is traveling to face Deportivo. If you like gritty, defensive-minded football, Diego Simeone’s squad is always a "fun" watch in the sense that they make life miserable for their opponents.
- Italy (Coppa Italia): Roma vs. Torino is the headliner here.
- France (French Cup): Marseille is in action against Bayeux.
Basically, if you have a streaming subscription like ESPN+, Paramount+, or Peacock, you can find a game to watch from about noon until 5 p.m. ET. It’s a great day to be a soccer fan.
What about College Football?
You're a bit late for that one. The National Championship game happened a few days ago. The Indiana Hoosiers—yes, you read that right—actually pulled it off this year, beating Oregon in the Peach Bowl to cap off a historic season.
College football is officially in the "transfer portal and recruiting" phase. No games until August. It sucks, I know. But the high of that Indiana run is still lingering in the air for most Big Ten fans.
Are Any Other Sports On?
If you just want to watch something competitive while you eat dinner, the NBA and NHL are filling the gap left by the NFL.
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The NBA has a pretty solid Tuesday night schedule. The Denver Nuggets are in New Orleans to face the Pelicans (7 p.m. CT), though Nikola Jokic is reportedly out with a knee bruise. That’s a bummer for the product, but Zion Williamson is expected to play, so there’s still plenty of gravity-defying action there.
On the ice, the St. Louis Blues are hosting the Carolina Hurricanes. That’s a 7:30 p.m. ET puck drop on ESPN+.
Why the "Football" Search is So Tricky Today
The reason everyone is asking "are any football games on today" is because of how the calendar fell this year. In previous years, we’ve seen more Monday or even rare Tuesday COVID-era makeup games, but the 2025-26 season has been relatively on schedule.
Also, with the expanded 14-team playoff format, the NFL condensed the Wild Card round into three days (Sat/Sun/Mon). Tuesday becomes the universal "film day" for the remaining teams.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since there’s no NFL today, here is how you should handle your sports craving:
- Check the Soccer Streams: If you have Peacock or ESPN+, look for the Newcastle vs. Man City match. It’s the highest quality sports you’ll find today.
- Set Your Saturday Reminders: The NFL returns on January 17. The 49ers/Seahawks game is going to be a bloodbath.
- Fantasy Basketball: If you’ve given up on football for the season, the NBA is midway through its grind. Check the injury reports for the Suns vs. Heat game tonight—it’s the best matchup on the hardwood.
- Re-watch the Highlights: If you missed the Texans' defense yesterday, go find the condensed replay. Kamari Lassiter looked like a future Hall of Famer out there.
So, to recap: No NFL, no College Football, but a whole lot of soccer and a decent helping of NBA. Grab a coffee, settle in for some Bundesliga, and wait for the Divisional round to kick off this weekend.