If you’re scrambling to figure out what time is the ohio state game on tonight, you aren't alone. Buckeye Nation never sleeps, but the schedule certainly keeps us on our toes. Whether it's the roar of Ohio Stadium or the squeak of sneakers at the Schottenstein Center, finding the exact kickoff or tip-off time is practically a part-time job in Columbus.
Honestly, the schedule is a bit of a mixed bag right now. Since it's mid-January 2026, the football season just wrapped up with a tough battle in the Cotton Bowl against Miami, meaning the pads are off for a few months. But don't worry—the winter sports calendar is absolutely packed.
The Ohio State Game Tonight: Full Schedule and Times
Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. While the football team is busy with the transfer portal and winter conditioning, several other Buckeye squads are in action. If you were looking for a major primetime football game, you're a few weeks late, but there is plenty of Scarlet and Gray to go around today.
Here is the breakdown for the Ohio State events happening right now:
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- Men’s Gymnastics: They are competing today as part of a busy Sunday slate.
- Men’s Tennis: A double-header is going down at the Ty Tucker Tennis Center. They face Toledo and Xavier. Most of these home double-headers start around 10:00 AM and run through the afternoon.
- Fencing: The team is out East at the Dave Micahnik Penn Invitational.
- Rifle & Pistol: The Rifle team is taking on TCU in Fort Worth, while the Pistol squad is competing at the Camp Perry Open.
If you’re looking for Men's Basketball, they actually played yesterday. They took down UCLA 86-74 in a big home win. Their next game isn't until Tuesday, January 20th, when they host Minnesota at 6:30 PM.
Why the Schedule is So Confusing This Year
Look, the Big Ten isn't what it used to be—it's bigger. With teams like UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington in the mix, the "traditional" Saturday afternoon windows are basically a thing of the past. We've got 10:30 PM tip-offs and Friday night football games now. It's kinda chaotic.
The biggest thing to remember is that the "tonight" aspect depends entirely on which sport you're tracking. Most people asking what time is the ohio state game on tonight are usually hunting for the big three: Football, Men's Basketball, or Women's Basketball.
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Football (Offseason Status)
The 2025-2026 football season is officially over. Ohio State finished the year with a trip to the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, ultimately falling to Miami on New Year's Eve.
- Next Game: September 5, 2026, against Ball State.
- Spring Game: Usually held in mid-April. Keep an eye out for that date to be announced soon.
Men’s Basketball
The Buckeyes are in the thick of the Big Ten gauntlet. Since they played Saturday, they are off tonight.
- Next Matchup: vs. Minnesota
- Date: Tuesday, Jan 20
- Time: 6:30 PM ET
- TV: Big Ten Network
Women’s Basketball
The women's team has been on a tear lately. They are scheduled to play tomorrow, Monday, January 19th.
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- Opponent: TBD (Check local listings as conference play flexes frequently).
How to Find the Ohio State Game Without Getting Lost
If you're like me, you've probably searched "Ohio State game" only to find a schedule from 2022 or a random high school team with the same name. It's frustrating. To stay updated, you've basically got to live on the official Ohio State Buckeyes "Composite Schedule" page.
The Big Ten Network (BTN) is your best friend during the winter. Most of the Olympic sports—wrestling, gymnastics, and volleyball—get streamed on B1G+. It's a subscription service, which kinda sucks, but it's the only way to see the "non-revenue" sports if you aren't in Columbus.
Actionable Steps for Buckeye Fans
- Download the Ohio State Buckeyes App: It sounds corporate, but it’s actually the fastest way to get live score alerts and time changes.
- Sync the Calendar: You can go to the official athletics site and "Add to Calendar." It puts every game—from Rifle to Football—directly onto your phone.
- Check the "Flex" Windows: For basketball, the Big Ten often waits until 10 days before a game to finalize the TV time. If it says "TBA," it’s usually because FOX and BTN are fighting over the slot.
- Watch the 2026 Football Schedule: Since you're likely already thinking about next fall, mark September 12, 2026. The Buckeyes head to Austin to play Texas. That game will almost certainly be a 12:00 PM or 7:30 PM ET slot on FOX.
Whether you're heading to the Schottenstein Center or watching from your couch, double-check the time about two hours before the event. In the modern era of sports broadcasting, "tonight" can mean anything from 6:00 PM to a West Coast 11:00 PM start. Stay sharp and Go Bucks!
To stay ahead of the next tip-off, bookmark the Big Ten Network's live TV schedule to see which Buckeye events are being aired in your local market.