It is that weird, quiet-before-the-storm Friday. We are officially sitting in the pocket between the chaos of the NFL Wild Card round and the high-stakes drama of the Divisional matchups. If you are looking for football games today channel and time, you have to be specific about which "football" you mean, because the gridiron is mostly taking a breather while the pitch is just heating up.
Honestly, Fridays in January are basically the deep exhale for American football fans. We just watched a grueling Wild Card weekend where teams like the Miami Hurricanes—yes, the college kids—secured their spot in the upcoming National Championship. Now, the pros are resting up for tomorrow. But don't click away yet. If you need a fix, Spanish La Liga has you covered today, and the schedule for the rest of the weekend's massive NFL and Premier League slate is already locked in.
Friday’s Featured Match: La Liga Takes the Stage
While the NFL is dark tonight, European soccer is wide awake. Specifically, Spanish football offers a tasty Catalan derby to kick off your weekend.
Espanyol vs. Girona Time: 3:00 PM ET
Channel: ESPN+ / ESPN Deportes
This isn't just a random mid-season filler. Girona has been the Cinderella story of Spanish football lately, and taking on Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium is always a gritty affair. You’ve basically got two options for watching this one: stream it via the ESPN app if you have the subscription, or flip over to ESPN Deportes if you want the Spanish broadcast.
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If you are in Canada, TSN+ is the go-to spot for this match at 2:48 PM ET. It’s a solitary game for the Friday slate, but it’s high-quality technical soccer that serves as a great appetizer for the NFL Divisional Round tomorrow.
NFL Divisional Round: Looking Ahead to Tomorrow
Let’s be real: most people asking about football games today channel and time are actually double-checking when the NFL Divisional Round starts so they can plan their grocery runs. There are no NFL games tonight, Friday, January 16. The league saves the fireworks for Saturday and Sunday.
Tomorrow is when the real stress begins.
Saturday, January 17, 2026
- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos
- Time: 1:30 PM ET
- Channel: CBS / Paramount+
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks
- Time: 5:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM ET (Varies by source, check local listings)
- Channel: FOX
The Niners against the Seahawks is a classic NFC West rivalry that never fails to get ugly in the best way possible. Watching Brock Purdy navigate that Seattle secondary at Lumen Field is going to be the highlight of the weekend for many.
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Sunday, January 18, 2026
- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
- Time: 12:00 PM ET
- Channel: ABC / ESPN
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
- Time: 3:30 PM ET
- Channel: NBC / Peacock
The fact that we have the Bears and Patriots still alive in a divisional round in 2026 tells you everything you need to know about how fast the NFL landscape shifts.
The College Football National Championship Countdown
Don't forget the college ranks. We are currently in the gap before the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Today, January 16, there aren't any live games, but if you're in Miami, the "Playoff Fan Central" kicks off at the Miami Beach Convention Center. It's a massive three-day festival leading up to the big game.
- The Matchup: No. 10 Miami vs. No. 1 Indiana
- Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
- Time: 7:30 PM ET
- Channel: ESPN
It’s the first time either of these programs has made it to the title game in this format. Indiana has been an absolute juggernaut under their current staff, while Miami's path—beating Ohio State and Ole Miss—has been nothing short of a miracle run.
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Premier League Matchweek 22: Saturday Morning Fever
If you wake up early on Saturday, the Premier League is back in full swing. Most of these games will live on Peacock, but a few will hit the big screens on USA Network.
- Manchester United vs. Manchester City: 7:30 AM ET (USA Network) - The Manchester Derby is the only way to start a Saturday.
- Chelsea vs. Brentford: 10:00 AM ET (Peacock)
- Liverpool vs. Burnley: 10:00 AM ET (USA Network)
- Tottenham vs. West Ham: 10:00 AM ET (Peacock)
- Nottingham Forest vs. Arsenal: 12:30 PM ET (NBC / Peacock)
How to Watch: Streaming vs. Cable
Navigating the football games today channel and time is getting harder because the rights are scattered like confetti. Honestly, it’s a bit of a mess.
- For the NFL: You basically need a combination of a digital antenna (for FOX/CBS/NBC/ABC) and a subscription to Paramount+ or Peacock for the specific games they carry.
- For Soccer: ESPN+ is non-negotiable for La Liga. For the Premier League, Peacock is your best friend, though a Sling Blue or FuboTV subscription helps for the games on USA Network.
- For College: Keep it on ESPN. They still own the championship landscape.
Essential Next Steps for Fans
Since there is only one major game today (Espanyol vs. Girona), use this afternoon to audit your streaming services. Check if your Paramount+ login actually works before the Bills kick off tomorrow. If you're planning on watching the Manchester Derby tomorrow morning, ensure your Peacock subscription hasn't lapsed.
Most importantly, if you are heading to Miami for the CFP festivities, the Fan Central events are free today starting at 10 a.m., which is a solid way to kill time before the soccer match starts this afternoon.
Keep your chargers ready and your snacks stocked; the next 72 hours are going to be a gauntlet of elite-level sports.