Checking to see if there is a UT game today usually means one thing: you're probably scrambling to find a channel or a parking spot near DKR. It's that frantic Saturday morning energy. Or maybe it's a Tuesday night and you're wondering if the basketball team is hitting the court at the Moody Center. Either way, the "UT" in question is almost always the University of Texas at Austin, though our friends in Knoxville might have something to say about that.
Wait. Let’s be real for a second.
The schedule changes constantly. Between the shift to the SEC and the complex broadcast windows shared by ABC, ESPN, and the SEC Network, tracking down the exact kickoff can feel like a part-time job. Honestly, it’s a bit of a mess. If you're looking for the Longhorns today, January 16, 2026, you're actually looking at the heart of the winter sports season. The football pads are packed away after the bowl season, but the hardwood is heating up.
Where to find the UT game today and why it matters
If you are looking for the University of Texas schedule, the first place you should always look is the official Texas Sports calendar. They keep it updated in real-time. But here is the thing: the "is there a UT game today" question usually spikes for football.
Right now, in mid-January, the focus is squarely on Texas Basketball. Both the men’s and women’s programs are deep into conference play. Transitioning to the SEC wasn't just a football move; it changed the entire travel rhythm for these athletes. Instead of heading to Lubbock or Stillwater, they’re flying to Gainesville and Athens. It’s a whole different vibe.
The schedule is dense.
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On a typical mid-January Friday like today, you might see a track and field meet or a swimming and diving event. People forget how dominant Texas is in the pool. They basically own the podium. But if you’re looking for a "game" in the traditional sense, check the evening tip-off times for the Moody Center.
Breaking down the SEC transition impact
The move to the SEC has fundamentally altered how we watch Texas sports. Gone are the days of the Longhorn Network (LHN) being the exclusive—and sometimes frustrating—home for mid-tier games. Now, everything flows through the Disney-owned pipeline.
This is actually a huge relief for fans. You don't need a specific, hard-to-find cable package anymore. If there’s a UT game today, it’s likely on ESPN+ or the main SEC Network.
- The Football Slump: January is the "dark period" for football fans. We are past the National Championship, and the spring game is still months away.
- The Basketball Surge: This is the prime time. SEC basketball is fast, physical, and honestly, a bit chaotic.
- The Baseball Horizon: We are only a few weeks away from the first pitch at Disch-Falk Field. February is right around the corner.
The confusion between Texas and Tennessee
We have to address the orange elephant in the room. When you search "is there a UT game today," Google sometimes gets confused between the Texas Longhorns and the Tennessee Volunteers. Both are UT. Both wear orange (though Texas fans will tell you "Burnt Orange" is the only real orange).
If you’re a Tennessee fan looking for the Vols, you’re also in the thick of SEC basketball. The rivalry between these two schools over the "UT" acronym is legendary, but since Texas joined the SEC, it’s become a literal boardroom battle. Whenever they play each other, the "Real UT" debate trends for 48 hours straight.
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Checking the dates is crucial.
If you're in Austin, you're looking for the Longhorns. If you're in Knoxville, you're looking for the Vols. Make sure your sportsbook or your calendar app hasn't defaulted to the wrong "UT" or you'll end up very confused when the game starts and the colors look slightly off.
How to watch the Longhorns without cable
Cable is dying, we know this. If there is a UT game today, you're probably trying to stream it.
The SEC Network is available on YouTube TV, FuboTV, and Hulu + Live TV. It’s pretty straightforward. However, the "hidden" games—the ones that don't make the main broadcast—are almost always on SEC Network+ (which is accessed via the ESPN app).
Don't confuse SEC Network+ with ESPN+. They are different. SEC Network+ is usually included if you already have the SEC Network through a provider. It’s a weird technicality that trips up a lot of fans right at tip-off.
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What most people get wrong about the Texas schedule
People assume that because Texas is a "big" school, every game will be on a major network like ABC. That’s just not true anymore. The SEC has a tiered system.
Sometimes the most important games of the year, especially in sports like softball or volleyball, are relegated to streaming only. If you're asking if there's a UT game today for one of the non-revenue sports, you almost certainly need the ESPN app installed on your smart TV.
The timing is also tricky. Central Time is the law in Austin, but half the SEC is in the Eastern Time Zone. If Texas is playing an away game at Florida or South Carolina, that 7:00 PM start time might actually be 6:00 PM for those of us sitting in Texas. I've missed the first half of more than one game because I forgot to account for the "Florida gap."
Practical steps for the "Today" search
- Check the Sport: Are you looking for Basketball, Baseball, or the Spring Football game?
- Verify the Time Zone: Is it a home game at the Moody Center (CST) or an away game in the Eastern Time Zone?
- Confirm the Platform: Is it on a linear channel (like ESPN) or a streaming-only platform (like SEC+)?
- Check the Weather: If it’s baseball or softball season, Austin’s "cedar fever" weather or sudden thunderstorms can delay games by hours with very little notice.
The reality of being a Texas fan in 2026 is that you have to be a bit of a digital detective. The schedules are more fluid than they used to be, influenced by TV ratings and the ever-shifting landscape of collegiate athletics.
Actionable Next Steps:
To stay ahead of the "is there a UT game today" scramble, download the Texas Longhorns Official App and enable notifications specifically for "Game Start." This bypasses the lag of Google search results. Also, sync the calendar from TexasSports.com directly to your phone. This automatically adjusts for time zone shifts and provides direct links to the streaming platform for that specific day’s matchup. For those heading to a game in person, always check the @TexasFans or @UTAustin social media feeds two hours before start time for any sudden gate changes or security protocols at the Moody Center or DKR.