You're probably staring at your phone or remote right now, frantically wondering what time does Bulldogs play because, let’s be honest, missing the tip-off or the opening kickoff in Athens is basically a sin. Whether you're tailgating outside Sanford Stadium or just trying to time your grocery run so you're back before the first possession, the schedule matters.
Right now, we are deep into the 2025-2026 athletic calendar. It's January 2026. The grass is dormant on Dooley Field, but the hardwood at Stegeman Coliseum is absolutely on fire.
If you're looking for the immediate answer for the Georgia Bulldogs men's basketball team, they are locked into a massive SEC showdown. Georgia hosts the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday, January 17, 2026. The game is set for 4:00 p.m. ET. It’s a Saturday afternoon special. ESPN2 is handling the broadcast, so you don't even have to hunt through the deep cable channels to find it.
The Basketball Breakdown: SEC Grind
The Dawgs aren't just playing; they're actually relevant this year. Under Mike White, the program has found a rhythm that’s been missing for a while. As of mid-January, Georgia is sitting at 14-3 overall. That's top-25 territory.
Jeremiah Wilkinson has been the name on everyone’s lips lately. The kid is a scoring machine. He put up 31 against Auburn earlier this month and followed it up with 32 against Ole Miss. If you’re tuning in to the Arkansas game at 4:00 p.m., expect him to be the focal point of the offense.
Here is the quick-glance schedule for the rest of January 2026:
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- At Missouri Tigers: Tuesday, January 20, at 9:00 p.m. ET. (SEC Network)
- At Texas Longhorns: Saturday, January 24, at 1:00 p.m. ET. (SEC Network)
- Vs Tennessee Volunteers: Tuesday, January 27, at 7:00 p.m. ET. (SEC Network)
- Vs Texas A&M Aggies: Saturday, January 31, at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Getting to Austin for that Texas game on the 24th is going to be a tough road environment. But hey, that's life in the expanded SEC.
What Happened to Football?
I know, I know. When most people ask "what time does Bulldogs play," they are thinking about Kirby Smart and the gridiron.
The 2025 football season was a wild ride. Georgia finished the regular season 12-1, won the SEC Championship against Alabama (28-7, a defensive masterpiece), and secured the #3 seed in the College Football Playoff.
They played their Quarterfinal match in the Sugar Bowl on January 1, 2026, against Ole Miss. They handled business. However, the playoff bracket moved forward without them after the semifinals. While Georgia fans are used to being in Miami for the title game, the 2026 National Championship (scheduled for January 19) is featuring Indiana and the winner of the Peach/Sugar side of the bracket.
Basically, the football pads are put away for the winter. But the 2026 schedule is already out. If you’re the type of person who plans weddings around the bye week, you need to know that Georgia opens the 2026 season on September 5, 2026, against Tennessee State in Athens.
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The 2026 Football Schedule Highlights
Honestly, the 2026 road slate looks brutal.
The Bulldogs have to travel to Tuscaloosa on October 10. Then they head to Oxford to face Ole Miss on November 7. And don't forget the Florida game on Halloween (October 31). It’s being played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta this year because of the renovations happening at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville. Same rivalry, different skyline.
Other Bulldogs in the Mix
We can't ignore the fact that "Bulldogs" is a popular name. Sometimes you're looking for the boys in Starkville or the crew from Spokane.
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Jeff Lebby’s squad finished their 2025 football season with a bowl appearance in early January. On the basketball side, they are mid-SEC play as well. They actually play Kentucky on January 18, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Gonzaga Bulldogs
The Zags are doing Zag things. The men's team is currently in the meat of their West Coast schedule. They have a game against Seattle University on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. PT (that's 10:00 p.m. for the East Coast folks).
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How to Watch and Stay Updated
Television rights are a mess these days. You've got ESPN, SEC Network, and the occasional game tucked away on ESPN+.
- Download the Georgia Dogs App. It sounds like a promo, but the live stats and radio feed are actually reliable when you're stuck in traffic.
- Sync your Google Calendar. You can find downloadable schedules that automatically update with game times and TV channels.
- Check the "Home" vs "Away" designations. For home games in Athens, the time usually doesn't shift much once it's set. For road games, especially out west, pay close attention to the time zone differences.
The best way to ensure you never miss a game is to check the official SEC schedule page every Monday morning. Networks usually have a 6-day or 12-day "selection window," meaning game times for the following week aren't finalized until the current week's games are over.
If you are heading to Stegeman Coliseum for the Arkansas game, get there early. The first 750 students are getting free winter hats, and the place is already sold out. The energy in Athens right now is electric, even if it's "just" basketball season.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Verify your TV provider: Ensure you have the SEC Network active in your package before the Tuesday night tip-off against Missouri.
- Set a "Start Time" Alert: Use your phone’s clock app to set a reminder for 3:45 p.m. ET this Saturday so you can catch the pre-game analysis for the Arkansas matchup.
- Bookmark the 2026 Football Schedule: If you're planning travel for the Alabama game in October, start looking at hotels in Tuscaloosa now; they fill up ten months in advance.