Look, being a Pacers fan has never been for the faint of heart. We’ve survived the Reggie Miller era heartbreaks, the "Malice" fallout, and those gritty Paul George years. But honestly? Trying to figure out the Pacers game what channel situation in 2026 feels like a full-time job. Between the regional sports network rebrands and the NBA’s massive new TV deal that kicked in this season, just sitting down to watch a game requires a degree in broadcast engineering.
If you're staring at your remote right now wondering why the old "Bally Sports" logo is gone or why the game is suddenly on a channel called Peacock, you aren't alone. Let's break down where the Blue and Gold are actually playing.
The Big Switch: FanDuel Sports Network Indiana
First things first. If you’re looking for the "local" channel—the one with Chris Denari and Quinn Buckner—it isn't Bally anymore. It’s now FanDuel Sports Network Indiana (FDSNIN).
Same faces, different name.
Basically, the network went through a massive corporate facelift, but for most of us in the 317 and surrounding areas, this is still your home base. Most regular-season games live here. If you’ve got Spectrum, Xfinity, or DirecTV (it's usually Channel 671 on DirecTV), you likely already have it.
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But what if you cut the cord? This is where it gets kinda messy. You can't just find FDSNIN on YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV. They still haven't kissed and made up. To get the local broadcast without cable, you're looking at Fubo or DIRECTV STREAM. Or, you can go direct-to-consumer through the FanDuel Sports Network app, which costs about $20 a month. It’s a steep price for one channel, but if you need your fix of Quinn’s "Smothered Chicken" calls, it’s the only way.
Why is the Pacers Game on NBC or Peacock Tonight?
You might have noticed something weird this year. The NBA’s 2025-26 season marks the first year of the league's blockbuster new TV contract. The biggest change? TNT is out. Yeah, it’s weird not seeing Ernie, Kenny, Shaq, and Chuck every Tuesday and Thursday. Instead, we have NBC and Peacock back in the mix. If you're searching for the Pacers game what channel on a Monday or Tuesday night, there’s a high chance it’s exclusive to Peacock.
- Sunday Nights: Often on NBC or ABC.
- Monday/Tuesday: Usually Peacock or NBC.
- Wednesday/Friday: ESPN is still your go-to.
- Thursday: Amazon Prime Video has taken over the "Thursday Night Basketball" slot.
It's a lot to juggle. If the Pacers are playing a high-profile matchup—say, against the Knicks or the Celtics—don't be surprised if the local FDSNIN feed is "blacked out" because a national network like ESPN or NBC has the exclusive rights.
The 13 WTHR "Free" Loophole
Here is a pro tip most people miss. For the 2025-26 season, the Pacers actually struck a deal to air about a dozen games for free over-the-air. Check 13 WTHR or WALV. If you have a cheap digital antenna, you can catch these games without paying a dime to a streaming service. It’s a nice "thank you" to the local fans who have been priced out by the RSN drama.
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Watching the Pacers Outside of Indiana
If you’re a Pacers fan living in, say, Chicago or Florida, your life is actually much simpler. You just need NBA League Pass.
League Pass is the ultimate "out-of-market" tool. You get every single Pacers game that isn't being shown on national TV (ESPN, ABC, NBC). You can even choose the Pacers' home broadcast so you don't have to listen to other teams' announcers.
The catch? If the Pacers play a team in your local area (like if they're playing the Magic and you live in Orlando), the game will be blacked out on League Pass and you’ll have to watch it on that local city’s sports network. It’s an old-school rule that drives everyone crazy, but it’s still very much in effect in 2026.
Breaking Down the Streaming Math
Let's be real: watching sports is getting expensive. If you want every single game, you’re looking at a combination of:
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- FanDuel Sports Network App ($19.99/mo) for local games.
- Peacock ($7.99/mo) for those exclusive NBC/Peacock windows.
- Amazon Prime for Thursday night games.
- Hulu/YouTube TV/Sling for the ESPN and ABC matchups.
Honestly, it’s a lot of apps. If you only want to pay for one thing, DIRECTV STREAM is currently the only major "cable-replacement" service that carries almost all of these (including the local FanDuel channel) in one package, though it’ll run you nearly $100 a month.
What You Need to Do Right Now
Before tip-off, don't wait until the last minute to find the Pacers game what channel.
First, check the official Pacers app or website. They’ve actually gotten pretty good at listing the specific "Watch" options for every individual game. If it says "FDSNIN," it's local. If it says "Prime Video," you better have your Amazon login ready.
If you're still confused, just remember the 2026 rule of thumb: If it’s not on a major network like ESPN or NBC, and you live in Indiana, head to FanDuel Sports Network. If you're using an antenna, flip over to WTHR to see if it's one of those lucky "free" nights.
Next Steps for the Game:
- Check the Injury Report: Always check the status of Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin about 30 minutes before tip.
- Sync Your Audio: If you hate the national announcers, grab a radio or use the "93.5/107.5 The Fan" app to listen to Mark Boyle while you watch.
- Update Your Apps: If you haven’t opened the FanDuel Sports Network app since it was called Bally, you’ll likely need to download a fresh update and re-log in with your provider credentials.
The landscape is shifting, but the game is still the game. Go Pacers.