You’re staring at the clock, the wings are cooling on the counter, and you’re wondering if you have time for one more quick grocery run. We’ve all been there. It’s Monday, and the singular question on everyone’s mind is basic but surprisingly tricky: what time does the monday night football game start?
Most people will tell you it's 8:15 p.m. ET. And honestly, they're usually right. But "usually" is a dangerous word in the modern NFL. Between the league's obsession with "doubleheader" Mondays and the late-season flexible scheduling, that 8:15 p.m. kickoff isn't the law of the land like it used to be.
The Standard Kickoff (And Why It Shifts)
For the bulk of the 2025-2026 season, the NFL has stuck to a primary kickoff time of 8:15 p.m. Eastern Time. If you’re on the West Coast, you’re looking at a 5:15 p.m. start, which is basically right as you’re finishing your commute.
But wait. If you happened to tune in during Week 2 or Week 4 of this past season, you might have noticed something weird. The NFL has been experimenting with staggered starts. Instead of one game, they’ll drop two on us. One might start at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, while the other kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC. It’s chaos for your fantasy scores, but great for a Monday night binge.
What Time Does the Monday Night Football Game Start Tonight?
Right now, we are deep into January 2026. If you’re looking for a game tonight, Monday, January 19, 2026, there is a bit of a plot twist. The NFL actually wrapped up its Monday night obligations last week. The final Monday night game of the NFL season took place on January 12, featuring the Houston Texans and the Pittsburgh Steelers at 8:15 p.m. ET.
Tonight, the "Monday Night Football" slot is being taken over by the biggest game in college sports. The College Football Playoff National Championship between No. 1 Indiana and No. 10 Miami is kicking off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. So, if you’re looking for pro ball tonight, you’re a week late, but if you want to see who takes home the national title, you better be in front of the TV 45 minutes earlier than usual.
Why the NFL Changed the Monday Routine
It used to be simple. 9:00 p.m. ET. Howard Cosell. Then it was 8:30. Now, the 8:15 p.m. ET standard is the sweet spot for ratings. It allows the East Coast to stay up just late enough to see the third quarter, while the West Coast gets home just in time for the coin toss.
However, the league realized they could make a lot more money by splitting the audience. Here’s how the timing usually breaks down:
- Standard Single Game: 8:15 p.m. ET (5:15 p.m. PT).
- Doubleheader Nights: One game at 7:15 p.m. ET and another at 8:30 p.m. ET.
- Playoff Monday: The Wild Card round now ends on a Monday, typically at 8:15 p.m. ET.
The 2025-2026 season saw a record number of these "split" nights. Fans have been vocal about it—some love the variety, while others hate having to flip between ESPN and ABC to keep up with both games.
Don't Forget the ManningCast
Another reason people get confused about what time does the monday night football game start is the secondary broadcast. Peyton and Eli Manning have their own show on ESPN2. While the kickoff time is exactly the same as the main broadcast, their pre-game banter often starts 10-15 minutes early. If you’re a fan of the ManningCast, you’re usually tuning in by 8:00 p.m. ET just to hear the guest list for the night.
How to Stay Ahead of the Schedule
If you want to make sure you never miss a kickoff, you've got to account for "Flex Scheduling." Starting around Week 12, the NFL has the power to move games out of the Monday night slot if the matchup looks like it’s going to be a blowout.
They have to give 12 days' notice, but it still catches people off guard. You might think you're watching a massive rivalry game on Monday, only to find out it was moved to Sunday afternoon and replaced by a game between two teams fighting for a top-five draft pick.
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Pro Tip: Always check the "NFL" app or your local listings on the Wednesday before the game. By then, the times are locked in, and you won't be left wondering why your TV is showing a local news rerun instead of a goal-line stand.
Actionable Next Steps
- Sync Your Calendar: Go to the official NFL website and use the "Add to Calendar" feature for your favorite team. It automatically updates for flex changes.
- Verify the Channel: Remember that MNF isn't just on ESPN anymore. ABC, ESPN2, and even ESPN+ carry different versions of the game. Check which one you have access to before the 8:15 p.m. rush.
- Adjust for Playoffs: Since we are in the postseason, the Monday window is closed for the NFL, but the College National Championship tonight (Jan 19) starts at 7:30 p.m. ET, so adjust your schedule accordingly.