Finding out what channel is tennessee vols football on used to be simple. You’d just flip to CBS at 3:30 PM and see Gary Danielson talking about the Crimson Tide even though the Vols were playing the Gators. Those days are gone.
Now? It’s a bit of a digital jungle out there. With the SEC's massive move to the ESPN and ABC family, the "Channel 5" era in Knoxville is officially over. Honestly, it’s better for the fans, but you’ve gotta know where to look or you’ll be staring at a blank screen while the "Power T" is already running through the T at Neyland.
The Short Answer: Where to Find the Vols in 2026
Basically, if Tennessee is playing, you are looking for one of four places: ABC, ESPN, the SEC Network, or ESPN+.
Because of the exclusive media rights deal that kicked in recently, every single SEC-controlled game is under the Disney umbrella. No more jumping between networks. If you have a decent cable package or a streaming substitute, you’re mostly covered. But "mostly" is the keyword there.
The 2026 season is actually a bit of a milestone because the SEC has moved to a nine-game conference schedule. That means more high-stakes matchups on "Big ABC" and fewer noon-kickoff "cupcake" games tucked away on obscure streaming tiers.
The 2026 Tennessee Football TV Schedule (Confirmed Dates)
| Date | Opponent | Location | Primary TV Partner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 5 | Furman | Knoxville | SEC Network+ / ESPN+ |
| Sept. 12 | at Georgia Tech | Atlanta | ABC or ESPN |
| Sept. 19 | Kennesaw State | Knoxville | SEC Network |
| Sept. 26 | Texas | Knoxville | ABC (Likely) |
| Oct. 3 | Auburn | Knoxville | ESPN |
| Oct. 10 | at Arkansas | Fayetteville | SEC Network |
| Oct. 17 | Alabama | Knoxville | ABC |
| Oct. 24 | at South Carolina | Columbia | ESPN or ESPN2 |
| Nov. 7 | Kentucky | Knoxville | SEC Network |
| Nov. 14 | at Texas A&M | College Station | ABC or ESPN |
| Nov. 21 | LSU | Knoxville | ABC (Night Game Potential) |
| Nov. 28 | at Vanderbilt | Nashville | SEC Network |
Why the "Channel" Keeps Changing
You might notice that for some games, the "what channel is tennessee vols football on" answer is just a shrug and a "we'll know in six days."
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That’s the flex scheduling at work. ESPN and ABC hold onto the rights to choose the best games for the best time slots. If the Vols are 6-0 heading into the Alabama game (The Third Saturday in October), you can bet your last dollar it’ll be the 3:30 PM or 7:30 PM slot on ABC. If they’ve dropped a couple, it might slide to ESPN.
The "SEC on ABC" is the new gold standard. It replaced the old CBS window. It’s got that big-game feel, the 4K-ish clarity, and usually the "A-team" broadcasters.
Don't Ignore the SEC Network+ and ESPN+
Kinda annoying, I know. But for those early-season games against teams like Furman or Kennesaw State, you might not find a traditional "channel" number at all.
These are often "digitally exclusive." This doesn't mean you need a separate ESPN+ subscription if you already have the SEC Network through your cable provider (like Comcast, Charter, or DirecTV). You just use your cable login on the ESPN App.
However, if you're a cord-cutter without a live TV bundle, you will need that ESPN+ sub to see the homecoming games.
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Watching the Vols Without Cable
If you’ve ditched the cord, you aren't alone. Half of Knoxville has probably done the same by now. To get the channels mentioned above, you need a Live TV Streaming Service (vMVPD).
- YouTube TV: Probably the most popular. It carries ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and the SEC Network. The interface is clean, and the unlimited DVR is a lifesaver when the game runs long.
- Hulu + Live TV: Very similar to YouTube TV, but it usually bundles in ESPN+ and Disney+. This is a sneaky good deal for Vols fans because it covers those "digital only" games automatically.
- Fubo: Great for sports, but check your local listings to make sure they carry your local ABC affiliate in your specific zip code.
- Sling TV: The "Orange" package gets you ESPN, but you usually have to add a "Sports Extra" pack to get the SEC Network. It's cheaper, but you have to do more math.
The Local Tennessee Valley Sports Network (TVSN)
Here is a cool bit of insider info that most national sites miss. In 2025, UT Athletics partnered with Gray Media to launch the Tennessee Valley Sports Network.
While they don't broadcast the actual live football games (ESPN owns those), they are the home for basically everything else. If you want the "Volunteer Gameday" pre-game show with Mike Keith (the Voice of the Vols) and Heath Shuler, you’ll find it here.
In Knoxville, that’s WVLT. In Nashville, it’s WSMV. In Memphis, it’s WMC. They do about seven hours of exclusive Vol content every week. If you’re a die-hard, this is where you get the "human" side of the team that the national ABC broadcast skips.
Radio: The Old School Backup
Sometimes you’re stuck in the car on I-40 or out at the lake where the 5G is spotty.
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The Vol Network is still king. Mike Keith and Ramon Foster (the new booth analyst) are the soundtrack of Tennessee football. You can find them on the flagship station, WNML (99.1 FM) in Knoxville, or via the Tennessee Athletics app. Honestly, sometimes I mute the TV and turn on the radio broadcast just to hear Mike Keith scream "Pandemonium reigns!" after a big play.
What Most Fans Get Wrong
A common mistake is thinking that because a game is on "ESPN+," it’s also on the "SEC Network" channel on your TV.
It’s usually the other way around. If a game is on the SEC Network, it is streamable on the app, but if it's labeled as an "ESPN+ Exclusive," it will not appear on your cable box. You have to open the app on your Roku, Apple TV, or Smart TV to see it.
Also, keep an eye on the 2026 College Football Playoff changes. With the expanded 12-team (and potentially 14-team) playoff, some post-season games might even end up on TNT or other sub-licensed networks. But for the regular season? Stick to the ABC/ESPN family.
Actionable Steps for Gameday
- Download the ESPN App now. Don't wait until 5 minutes before kickoff to realize you forgot your password or need an update.
- Check the "Start Windows." The SEC now announces "windows" (Morning, Afternoon, Night) months in advance. Use the SECSports.com site to see if the Vols are in a "Flex" window.
- Get a Digital Antenna. If you live near Knoxville, Nashville, or Chattanooga, a cheap $20 antenna will get you ABC in high definition for free. It’s often a second or two faster than the streaming apps, so your neighbors won't spoil a touchdown by cheering before you see it.
- Sync your audio. If you’re listening to the Vol Network while watching the TV, use the "delay" feature on the app to sync Mike Keith’s voice with the action on the screen.
The 2026 season is shaping up to be massive with Texas and Oklahoma fully integrated and that brutal nine-game SEC gauntlet. Whether you’re watching on a 75-inch OLED or listening on a beat-up transistor radio, just make sure you’re tuned into the right frequency when the "Rocky Top" starts playing.
Next Steps for You:
Check your current cable or streaming subscription to ensure you have the "SEC Network" included, as this is the most common channel for mid-tier conference games. If you are a cord-cutter, verify that your local ABC affiliate is live on your platform of choice to avoid missing the major rivalry matchups.