If you’re waking up on this Sunday, January 18, 2026, and your first thought is whether the Tigers are taking the court, the field, or the mat, you aren't alone. We’ve all been there—scrambling to find the right channel or checking the clock to see if there’s enough time to grab wings before tip-off. Honestly, keeping track of a massive SEC athletic program like Auburn is a full-time job.
So, what time do Auburn Tigers play today? It’s a busy day for the Orange and Blue, but the main event actually isn't on the hardwood this afternoon. While the men's basketball team just finished a gritty battle with South Carolina yesterday (a solid 71-67 win, by the way), the spotlight today shifts to Fayetteville and the Yarbrough Tennis Center.
The Sunday Slate: Gymnastics and Tennis Take Over
If you were looking for Bruce Pearl’s squad, you’ll have to wait until Tuesday when they head to Oxford. Today is all about the No. 6 ranked Gymnastics team and a triple-header of tennis matches right here on the Plains.
No. 6 Auburn Gymnastics at No. 10 Arkansas
This is the big one. The Tigers are heading into Bud Walton Arena for a massive SEC road test.
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- Time: 5:00 PM CST
- Location: Fayetteville, AR
- The Stakes: Auburn is currently ranked 6th nationally. Arkansas is sitting at 10th. In the SEC, every tenth of a point matters, and starting the conference road schedule with a win in a hostile environment is exactly what Jeff Graba’s team needs to keep that momentum from the season opener.
Tennis Triple-Header at Yarbrough Tennis Center
If you’re actually in Auburn today and want to see some live action without driving ten hours, the tennis courts are the place to be. It’s "Popcorn Palooza" and "White Out" day, which is kinda a fun vibe for a Sunday.
- Women’s Tennis (Match 1): vs. Liberty at 10:00 AM CST.
- Women’s Tennis (Match 2): vs. Alabama A&M at 2:00 PM CST.
- Men’s Tennis: vs. Alabama A&M at 4:00 PM CST (White Out game).
Why the Schedule Feels So Confusing Right Now
Let's be real: January is a weird month for sports fans. We are in that awkward transition period where football is over (aside from the NFL playoffs), basketball is in the thick of conference play, and "spring" sports like gymnastics and tennis are actually starting in the dead of winter.
Most people searching for what time do Auburn Tigers play today are usually looking for football or basketball. Since the football season wrapped up with the regular season finale back in November, the rhythm of "Saturday at 2:30 or 6:00" is gone. Basketball is more sporadic, often playing on Tuesday or Wednesday nights.
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Looking Ahead: When Does Basketball Play Again?
If you're strictly a hoops fan, mark your calendar for the rest of the month. The Tigers have a gauntlet coming up. After resting today, the men head to Ole Miss on Tuesday, January 20, at 8:00 PM CST.
The next home game at Neville Arena is a big one: Texas comes to town on Wednesday, January 28. That’s going to be a loud one. Basically, if you don't have tickets yet, you're probably looking at the secondary market because Neville has been selling out faster than ever lately.
What Most People Get Wrong About Auburn Schedules
The biggest mistake fans make is checking a generic "sports" app that only tracks the Top 25 football teams. Auburn is a "comprehensive" athletic school. That means on any given Sunday in January, you might have four different teams competing.
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For instance, did you know the baseball team actually starts their season in less than a month? Butch Thompson’s crew opens up against Youngstown State on February 13. If you're trying to plan your February weekends, you'll want to keep an eye on those Friday night first pitches (usually around 6:00 PM).
How to watch the Tigers today
For the gymnastics meet at 5:00 PM, you’ll want to check the SEC Network or SEC Network+. Most of the tennis matches are streamed via the official Auburn Athletics site (AuburnTigers.com), which is usually free if you don't mind the single-camera setup they sometimes use for the back courts.
Actionable Steps for the Auburn Fan Today
- Set an alarm for 4:55 PM CST if you want to catch the first rotation of the Gymnastics meet against Arkansas. It’s going to be a tight one.
- Download the Auburn Gameday App. It’s honestly the only way to get real-time alerts that actually account for weather delays or last-minute TV time shifts.
- Check the Yarbrough Tennis Center weather. If it's raining, those 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM matches might move indoors, which changes the seating capacity significantly.
- Prep for Tuesday. Since there's no basketball today, use this afternoon to make sure you've got your plans set for the Ole Miss game on Tuesday night.
The energy around Auburn athletics right now is pretty high. Whether it's the gymnastics team's top-10 ranking or the basketball team's recent win over South Carolina, there's plenty to keep track of. Just make sure you're looking at the right sport before you head to the couch.