Finding a game in this city used to be simple. You’d flip to TBS for the Braves or catch the Falcons on a grainy local signal. Now? It’s a mess. Honestly, trying to track down atlanta sports tv listings in 2026 feels like a part-time job you didn't apply for. One night you're on a regional sports network (RSN), the next you’re digging through a tech giant's streaming app, and by Sunday, you’re back to using an antenna.
Things have changed fast.
The biggest shocker recently was the Braves effectively ending their long-term deal with FanDuel Sports Network (formerly Bally Sports). It happened just a few days ago, early in January 2026. If you're looking for the Braves on your channel guide and seeing a blank screen or a "Coming Soon" logo, that's why. The team, along with several others, pulled the plug to get more flexibility.
The Braves TV Shakeup: Where Did the Games Go?
For years, the "Braves Country" footprint was defined by regional cable. But the bankruptcy saga of the old Diamond Sports Group finally hit a breaking point this month. The Braves, the Reds, and the Cardinals—among others—canceled their contracts with FanDuel Sports Network.
So, where do you go?
Commissioner Rob Manfred has basically promised that MLB will step in to produce the games if a new local partner isn't found by Opening Day. This likely means a "Braves.TV" type of service where you can pay a monthly fee to stream games without those annoying blackouts. For now, you should expect to find most games on a mix of:
- MLB.TV (In-Market): Likely the new home for local streaming if MLB takes over production.
- National Games: These aren't changing. FOX still owns Saturday nights, ESPN has "Sunday Night Baseball," and TBS keeps its Tuesday night window.
- Local Broadcast: Keep an eye on local stations like Peachtree TV (WPCH). There's a strong rumor they might pick up a package of games to keep things free over-the-air.
It's a bit of a "wait and see" game until spring training, but the days of needing a $100 cable package just for the Braves are mostly over. That's a win, kinda.
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Falcons and the NFL: The Sunday Ritual
The Falcons are much easier to find, though the "NFL on Amazon" thing still trips people up. Because the NFL has massive national contracts, the local listings stay pretty consistent.
Most Sunday games land on FOX (WAGA-TV) or CBS (WANF). If the Falcons are playing an AFC team at home, it’s usually CBS. NFC matchups? That’s FOX territory.
But wait. There's a catch.
If the Falcons land a "Thursday Night Football" slot, you need Amazon Prime Video. However, Federal law (and NFL rules) requires these games to be broadcast on a "free" local station in the Atlanta market. Usually, that’s FOX 5 or Channel 2. You don’t actually have to pay for Prime if you live in the metro area and have a decent antenna.
Where to Watch the 2026 Falcons:
- Sunday Afternoons: FOX 5 or CBS 46.
- Sunday Night: NBC (11Alive) and Peacock.
- Monday Night: ESPN or ABC (WSB-TV).
- Thursday Night: Amazon Prime (or a local affiliate if you're in the 404/678/770).
Hawks and United: The Streaming Era
The Atlanta Hawks are currently in the thick of their 2025-2026 season. Unlike the Braves, the Hawks are still primarily on FanDuel Sports Network Southeast. If you’re a Cord-cutter, your options are basically Fubo or DirecTV Stream.
YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV still don’t carry the local Hawks channel. It’s annoying. We know.
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If the Hawks make a deep playoff run, you’ll see them move over to TNT, ESPN, and ABC. TNT is especially big for the NBA because they’re based right here in Techwood Drive.
Then there’s Atlanta United.
They are the outliers. You won't find the 5-Stripes on local cable anymore. Basically, if you want to watch Atlanta United in 2026, you need the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. There are no blackouts. None. You can be standing in the middle of Mercedes-Benz Stadium and watch the game on your phone without a problem. A few games a year get simulcast on FOX or FS1, but the bulk of the action is strictly behind the Apple paywall.
College Football: The Bulldogs and Jackets
You can't talk about atlanta sports tv listings without mentioning the Georgia Bulldogs.
2026 is a weird year for UGA. Because of renovations at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" against Florida is being moved to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for this season.
That game is a massive TV draw. It’ll almost certainly be the "SEC on ABC" 3:30 PM ET game.
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Georgia Tech fans have it a bit tougher. While the big games land on ABC or ESPN, the mid-tier matchups often end up on ACC Network. If your cable provider doesn't have the "Sports Pack," you're going to be staring at a "Please Call Your Operator" message while the Jackets are kicking off.
Practical Advice for the Atlanta Fan
If you're trying to build a setup that catches everything without spending $300 a month, here’s the realistic blueprint:
Get a high-quality OTA Antenna. Seriously. Put it in a window. This gets you the Falcons, big Braves games, the World Series, and the Bulldogs for free. It’s the only way to get 4K-ish quality without the streaming lag that makes your neighbor cheer for a touchdown 30 seconds before you see it.
Choose your "Live TV" streamer wisely. If you need the Hawks, you have to go with Fubo or DirecTV Stream. If you only care about the Falcons and national games, YouTube TV is generally the better experience.
Don't subscribe to everything at once. The MLS season runs from February to October. The NFL is September to February. Turn these apps on and off. There’s no contract. Use that to your advantage.
The landscape is shifting toward direct-to-consumer apps. By the time the 2026 World Cup rolls around (and yeah, Atlanta is a host city), the way we search for atlanta sports tv listings will probably be entirely app-based. For now, keep your antenna plugged in and your passwords organized.
Check the specific team apps (like the Falcons or Braves apps) on game day. They often have the most up-to-date "Where to Watch" info that hasn't made it to the big TV guide sites yet.