If you’re waking up on this Friday, January 16, 2026, and reaching for the remote to find the Irish, I’ve got some news that might sting a little. Honestly, there is no Notre Dame football game on TV today.
It's basically a quiet window for the football program. While the College Football Playoff is screaming toward a massive finale, Marcus Freeman’s squad isn't part of the active schedule this week. The 2025 season had its highs and lows, but the Irish aren't suiting up for a mid-January clash. If you're seeing "Notre Dame" on your guide today, you're almost certainly looking at the hockey rink or the hardwood, not the gridiron.
Why isn't there a Notre Dame football game on TV today?
The timing is the biggest factor here. We are currently sitting in that weird limbo between the New Year’s bowl cycle and the National Championship. The 12-team playoff format has pushed the season deeper into January than we're used to, but the Fighting Irish didn't make the cut for the final four or the upcoming title game.
Notre Dame finished their 2025 regular season with a strong 10-2 record, but a few key losses—including that heartbreaker against Texas A&M—kept them just outside the bubble for the playoff bracket this time around. Because they aren't in the College Football Playoff National Championship (which is set for Monday, January 19), their football pads are officially in storage until spring ball.
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It’s kinda frustrating for fans used to seeing the Irish in the postseason mix, especially with the "assurance" talk for the 2026 season already making waves. But for today, the stadium lights in South Bend are off.
Is the Notre Dame football game on TV today for other sports?
Now, just because there isn't a football game doesn't mean the Irish aren't active. If you’re a multi-sport fan, your Friday night just got a lot more interesting.
Notre Dame Hockey is actually the main event today. They are taking on Penn State tonight, Friday, January 16, at 7:00 p.m. ET. If you want to catch that, you’ll need to check the Big Ten Network (BTN) or stream it through their app. It’s a huge conference matchup with big implications for the standings, and honestly, the atmosphere at Penn State is always wild.
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If you’re looking ahead to tomorrow, Notre Dame Men's Basketball is also on the slate. They face off against Virginia Tech on Saturday, January 17, at noon. That one is scheduled for the ACC Network (ACCN). So, while the football fix isn't happening, the Irish are still very much "on TV" in other capacities.
Where to watch Notre Dame sports this weekend
- Hockey: vs. Penn State, Friday at 7:00 PM (Big Ten Network)
- Men's Basketball: at Virginia Tech, Saturday at 12:00 PM (ACC Network)
- Women's Basketball: Looking toward a massive game against UConn on Monday, January 19.
What’s the deal with the 2026 Football Schedule?
Since there’s no game today, most of the talk in South Bend has shifted toward what’s coming next. The 2026 schedule is already looking like a monster.
We know the season kicks off in a big way on September 6, 2026, against Wisconsin. That’s a Shamrock Series game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Can you imagine the ticket prices for that one? It's going to be insane.
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The rest of the 2026 slate includes some heavy hitters:
- Rice (Sept 12)
- Michigan State (Sept 19)
- Purdue (Sept 26)
- Miami (Nov 7)
- USC (Date TBA)
There's a lot of buzz about a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that basically guarantees Notre Dame a spot in the expanded playoff if they finish in the Top 12 starting next season. That takes a lot of the "selection committee" anxiety out of the equation, provided they take care of business on the field.
How to stay updated on Notre Dame broadcasts
If you're ever in doubt about a game time or channel, the best place to look is the official Fighting Irish TV Affiliates page. They keep a running list of every local station from South Bend to Scranton that carries their content.
Most football games remain anchored to NBC and Peacock, which is part of that long-standing exclusive deal we all know so well. For other sports, you’re usually bouncing between the ACC Network and ESPN.
Basically, if you were hoping for a helmet-to-helmet hit today, you'll have to wait. But if you’re down for some high-speed hockey, flip over to BTN at 7:00.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Sync your calendar: Go to the official Notre Dame Athletics site and download the "Add to Calendar" feature for the 2026 football season so you don't miss the Lambeau opener.
- Check your subs: Ensure you have the ACC Network and Big Ten Network active in your cable or streaming package (like YouTube TV or Fubo) to catch the basketball and hockey games happening over the next 48 hours.
- Watch the National Championship: Tune in to ESPN this Monday night, January 19, at 7:30 p.m. ET to see Miami and Indiana play for the title—it’s a good way to scout the competition for next year.