If you’re looking for the ESPN 8 schedule today, you’ve probably realized by now that "The Ocho" isn't exactly a standard button on your remote. It’s elusive. It's weird. It’s the home of Slippery Stairs, Corgi races, and competitive excel spreadsheet-ing. Honestly, most people think it only exists once a year in August, but that’s not entirely true anymore.
Right now, on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the vibe is different. While the massive "takeover" event where ESPN2 transforms into The Ocho usually happens late summer, there is a dedicated 24/7 digital feed that keeps the dream of "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story" alive every single day.
What is on the ESPN 8 Schedule Today?
Finding the exact lineup for today requires knowing where to look. Since ESPN 8 isn't a 24/7 linear cable channel in the traditional sense, the "schedule" basically splits into two categories: the Ocho FAST channel (Free Ad-supported Streaming TV) and the occasional linear re-airs on ESPN2 or ESPNU.
If you are tuning into the streaming version on platforms like Samsung TV Plus (Channel 2340), Fubo, or DIRECTV (Channel 4108), here is a look at the blocks running today, January 14.
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The Morning Grind: Darts and Cornhole
The early hours are usually dominated by the classics. You've got the ACL Pro Shootout series. It’s surprisingly hypnotic. People take beanbag tossing very seriously. Following that, expect to see the BullShooter Invitational Shootout. It’s electronic darts, but with the intensity of a Game 7.
The Mid-Day Weirdness: Animals and Arcade Games
Around noon, the schedule often shifts toward things that make you say, "Wait, is this a sport?"
- AKC Disc Dog Challenge: This isn't just "fetch." These dogs are athletes.
- World Dog Surfing Championship: Specifically the "Best Waves" compilation.
- Pop-A-Shot National Championship: Think of the game at Dave & Busters, but with people who never miss.
Primetime: The Heavy Hitters
Tonight, the schedule leans into the "Professional Horseshoes League" (PHL). You’re looking at the Pacific Division Championships. It’s slow-paced but high-stakes. Later in the evening, the ACL College Doubles Championships takes over.
How to Actually Watch The Ocho Right Now
You can't just type "8" into your cable box and expect to see Cotton McKnight and Pepper Brooks. It doesn't work like that.
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To find the ESPN 8 schedule today, you basically have three options.
- The Streaming Channel: This is the most reliable way. If you have a Samsung Smart TV, it’s built-in. If you use DIRECTV, it’s on the "MyFree" tier. It runs 24/7.
- ESPN+: Search "The Ocho" in the app. They keep a rotating carousel of these events available for on-demand streaming.
- The Annual Takeover: Mark your calendars for late July and early August 2026. This is when the "real" ESPN 8 takes over ESPN2 for several days straight.
Why Do People Care About The Ocho?
It sounds like a joke. It started as a joke. But there’s something genuinely refreshing about watching people be the absolute best in the world at something completely obscure.
Take Slippery Stairs, for example. It is exactly what it sounds like. People in rubber suits trying to climb iced-down stairs. It’s chaotic. It’s funny. But the competitors are genuinely trying to win. That’s the magic. It’s "seldom seen sports" that deserve a spotlight, even if that spotlight is a digital sub-channel on a Wednesday in January.
Is There a Live Event Today?
No. If you're looking for a "live" broadcast of a new event today, you're out of luck. The live events are heavily clustered around the summer window (typically starting around July 31). Today's schedule consists entirely of re-airs and taped championships from the previous season.
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However, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando is currently hosting several youth and collegiate events. While these aren't "Ocho" branded today, many of them—like the upcoming College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship (starting Jan 16)—often find their way onto the Ocho's rotation later in the year.
Actionable Steps for Today
- Check Channel 4108 on DIRECTV or 2340 on Samsung TV Plus if you want the "lean back" experience of whatever is playing.
- Use the search function on ESPN+ specifically for "Slippery Stairs" or "Excel World Championship" if you want to see the peak of the genre.
- Set a reminder for July 30, 2026. That is when the full, 65-hour marathon typically kicks off, featuring the Savannah Bananas and the T-Rex World Championship races.
The schedule for the digital channel is subject to change based on streaming rights, but the core "weirdness" remains the same. If you need something to fill the void between NFL playoff games, a 30-minute block of professional horseshoes is a weirdly perfect palate cleanser.