If you're frantically checking your phone to see what time is the georgia game saturday, I’ve got some news that might be a bit of a gut punch or a relief depending on how much you love basketball.
The football season? It's done for the Dawgs.
After that heartbreaker in the Sugar Bowl against Ole Miss on New Year’s Day—where Georgia fell 39-34—the pads have been packed away. It was a weird one. Honestly, seeing Lane Kiffin’s crew (well, the roster he built before heading to LSU) pull that off in the Superdome felt like a fever dream. But that is the reality of the new 12-team playoff era. Sometimes the "Big Bad Bulldogs" get bit early.
But hey, Athens doesn't just stop because football is over. We still have a game this Saturday. It’s just played on hardwood instead of grass.
What time is the georgia game saturday and who are they playing?
The Georgia Bulldogs basketball team is hosting the Arkansas Razorbacks this Saturday, January 17, 2026.
The game tips off at 1:00 PM ET (that's 12:00 PM local time if you're a Hogs fan tuning in from Fayetteville).
✨ Don't miss: What Time Did the Cubs Game End Today? The Truth About the Off-Season
They’re playing at Stegeman Coliseum. If you've ever been there when the student section is actually awake, you know the "Steg" can get loud. Arkansas is currently ranked No. 17 in the country, while Georgia is sitting at No. 21. It is a massive Top 25 matchup in the SEC that actually has some real implications for March.
You can catch the broadcast on ESPN2.
Breaking down the Saturday schedule
- Matchup: Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Georgia Bulldogs
- Time: 1:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM CT
- Date: Saturday, Jan 17, 2026
- Venue: Stegeman Coliseum (Athens, GA)
- TV Channel: ESPN2
- Streaming: ESPN App / FuboTV / Hulu + Live TV
Why isn't there a football game?
I know, I know. You saw "Georgia" and "Saturday" and your brain went straight to Sanford Stadium.
Usually, mid-January is when we’d be talking about the National Championship. But this year, the schedule is a bit wonky. The College Football Playoff National Championship is actually happening this coming Monday, January 19, 2026.
And no, Georgia isn't in it.
🔗 Read more: Jake Ehlinger Sign: The Real Story Behind the College GameDay Controversy
It’s going to be No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 10 Miami. Yeah, you read that right. Indiana. Curt Cignetti has basically turned the sports world upside down by taking the Hoosiers to an undefeated record and a title shot. Meanwhile, Miami is led by a name you might find familiar: Carson Beck.
It’s kinda wild to think about. Beck, who won two rings as a backup in Athens and then led the Dawgs as a starter, is now trying to bring a trophy to Coral Gables. Life comes at you fast in the transfer portal era.
Looking ahead to the 2026 Football Season
Since you’re clearly itching for some football, we might as well talk about what’s coming. The SEC recently dropped the full 2026 schedule, and it's a gauntlet.
Georgia starts the year on September 5 against Tennessee State. Easy warm-up, right? Maybe. But the real meat of the schedule is what people are talking about.
The Florida game is moving. Because EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville is getting a massive facelift, the "World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" is heading to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for 2026. In 2027, it’s going to Tampa. It’s going to be strange not seeing the sea of red and black split down the middle in Jax, but Atlanta will definitely be a pro-Georgia crowd.
💡 You might also like: What Really Happened With Nick Chubb: The Injury, The Recovery, and The Houston Twist
The Bulldogs also have to travel to Tuscaloosa on October 10. That’s never fun. Plus, they finally get Oklahoma at home in Athens on September 26. That’s a game fans have been circling for years.
How to prepare for Saturday's hoops game
If you’re heading to the Steg this weekend, keep a few things in mind.
Traffic in Athens on a Saturday is always a mess, even without 93,000 people flooding the stadium. The SEC is incredibly deep this year. Arkansas plays a fast, chaotic style of ball that can be frustrating to watch if you're a fan of traditional "set" offenses. Georgia needs this win to keep their seeding high for the tournament.
Essentially, this isn't just a "filler" game. It's a high-stakes battle between two teams that will likely be playing deep into the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament in March.
Actionable steps for the weekend
- Check your TV provider: Ensure you have ESPN2. If you're a cord-cutter, make sure your YouTube TV or Fubo subscription is active before the 1:00 PM tip-off.
- Parking: If you're going to the game in person, aim to arrive at the South Campus parking decks at least 45 minutes early. The walk to Stegeman is shorter than it looks on a map.
- Apparel: It’s January. It’s going to be chilly in Athens. Bring a jacket for the walk from the car, but remember the Steg gets hot once those lights are on and the crowd starts jumping.
- Tickets: Use the secondary market apps like SeatGeek or StubHub now. Prices for Top 25 matchups usually spike about three hours before the game starts.
The football season might be over, but being a Georgia fan is a year-round job. Get some lunch, settle in on the couch by 1:00 PM, and get ready to yell at the TV for a different kind of Bulldog victory.