Finding the Tennessee Volunteers TV schedule shouldn't feel like a part-time job. Honestly, though, with the way conference realignments and media rights deals have shifted lately, just figuring out where to find the game on a Saturday afternoon can be a headache. You’ve got the new SEC on ABC era in full swing, games buried on SEC Network+, and the occasional random streaming-only exclusive that catches everyone off guard.
If you’re looking for the Vols, you basically need to know two things: who they’re playing and which corporate logo owns that time slot. Because the SEC finally ditched its long-standing relationship with CBS, the "3:30 p.m. on Channel 8" (or whatever your local CBS was) is a thing of the past. It's all Disney now. ABC and the ESPN family of networks have the keys to the kingdom.
The 2026 Football Schedule Breakdown
The 2026 season is actually a massive milestone for Tennessee. For the first time, the SEC is moving to a nine-game conference schedule. No more cupcake-heavy November schedules for the whole league. The Vols are facing a gauntlet that looks significantly different than years past, specifically because Florida and Georgia aren't on the schedule for the first time since 1992. That's a weird sentence to even type.
Here is how the 2026 slate looks for the football squad:
- Sept. 5 vs. Furman: The opener at Neyland. Expect this to land on SEC Network or SEC Network+ as a "pay-per-view" style stream.
- Sept. 12 at Georgia Tech: A rare trip to Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta. Since it's an ACC stadium but an SEC road game, the TV rights usually follow the home team or a neutral agreement, but look for ABC or ESPN here.
- Sept. 19 vs. Kennesaw State: Likely another streaming-heavy window (SECN+).
- Sept. 26 vs. Texas: This is the big one. The first-ever regular-season meeting between these two. It's almost guaranteed to be an ABC "Saturday Night Football" or a 3:30 p.m. national broadcast.
- Oct. 3 vs. Auburn: Back in Knoxville.
- Oct. 10 at Arkansas: Fayetteville trip.
- Oct. 17 vs. Alabama: The Third Saturday in October. It stays in its traditional spot. This is the crown jewel of the Tennessee Volunteers TV schedule every single year.
- Oct. 24 at South Carolina: A road test before the bye.
- Oct. 31: OFF (Halloween).
- Nov. 7 vs. Kentucky: The border rivalry continues.
- Nov. 14 at Texas A&M: A tough trip to College Station.
- Nov. 21 vs. LSU: Senior Day in Knoxville.
- Nov. 28 at Vanderbilt: The regular-season finale in Nashville.
Understanding the "Flex" Windows
One thing that drives fans crazy is the "TBD" next to the kickoff times. Basically, ESPN and the SEC use "Flex Windows." They usually announce the exact time and channel about 6 to 12 days before the game.
They categorize games into three main buckets:
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- Early: Noon to 1:00 p.m. ET start.
- Afternoon: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET start.
- Night: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET start.
If you see a game labeled as a "Flex," it means they are waiting to see how the season shakes out. If Tennessee is 6-0 heading into the Alabama game, it’s going to be a night game on ABC. If things aren't going as well, it might slide to the afternoon window on ESPN.
Men’s Basketball: Where to Watch Rick Barnes' Squad
Basketball is a whole different beast. While football is mostly on Saturdays, the hoops team is all over the map. For the 2025-2026 season, the schedule is packed with high-profile matchups that are designed for national TV.
Rick Barnes has built a program that TV executives love. They play tough defense, they’re usually ranked, and they have a massive following. Because of this, you’ll find the Vols on ESPN, ESPN2, and the SEC Network almost exclusively.
There are also a few outliers. For example, in the 2025-26 season, the Vols played in the "Players Era Men’s Championship" in Las Vegas. Those games aired on TNT and HBO Max. If you were looking for those on the ESPN app, you were out of luck. It's a reminder that you've gotta keep an eye on these holiday tournaments.
Key 2026 SEC Basketball Windows:
- Jan. 17 vs. Kentucky: Always a 12:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. window on ESPN.
- Jan. 31 vs. Auburn: Likely a primetime ESPN/ESPN2 slot.
- Feb. 28 vs. Alabama: The rematch in Knoxville is prime "College GameDay" territory.
The Streaming Struggle: SEC Network+ vs. ESPN+
This is where people get most confused. Let’s clear this up once and for all.
SEC Network+ is NOT a separate TV channel. You won't find it on your cable box. It is a digital-only stream available through the ESPN app. If you have a cable subscription that includes the SEC Network, you already have access to SEC Network+. You just log in to the app with your provider credentials.
ESPN+, on the other hand, is a separate subscription service ($11.99/month usually). Sometimes, a game like Tennessee vs. ETSU or Furman might be "cross-broadcast" on both. But generally, if it’s an SEC-controlled game, the "Plus" version is just the digital overflow for the main network.
How to Watch the Vols Without Cable
If you've cut the cord, you aren't alone. Most Tennessee fans have migrated to streaming services. The good news? You can get almost everything you need without a 2-year contract.
- Hulu + Live TV: Includes ABC, ESPN, and SEC Network. It also bundles in ESPN+, which is handy for those early-season baseball or softball games.
- YouTube TV: Generally considered the best for sports fans due to the "multiview" feature where you can watch four games at once. It carries all the necessary channels for the Tennessee Volunteers TV schedule.
- FuboTV: Great for sports, though it sometimes lacks certain local channels depending on your market.
- Sling TV: The "Orange" package gets you ESPN, but you have to add the "Sports Extra" pack to get the SEC Network. It’s often the cheapest way to do it, but the interface is a bit clunky.
Don't Forget the Lady Vols
The Lady Vols are a national brand, and their TV schedule reflects that. Under coach Kim Caldwell, the pace of play has skyrocketed, making them a "must-watch" for networks.
You will actually see the Lady Vols on ABC and FOX more often than the men's team in some years. For instance, the matchup against UConn or South Carolina is almost always a Sunday afternoon national broadcast on a major network. For everything else, the SEC Network is your home base.
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Actionable Tips for the Season
To make sure you never miss a kickoff or tip-off, here is exactly what you should do:
- Download the Tennessee Athletics App: They update the "Game Day" section with the specific TV channel faster than most websites.
- Sync the Calendar: Most schedules on UTSports.com have a "Sync to Calendar" button. This will automatically update your phone’s calendar when the "TBD" times are finally set.
- Check the "Window" 12 Days Out: Mark your calendar for the Monday two weeks before a game. That’s when the SEC and ESPN typically announce the official time and network.
- Get an Antenna: If you live in or near Knoxville (or any major city), a cheap digital antenna will get you the ABC games in high definition for free. It’s a great backup if your internet goes down during a storm.
The Tennessee Volunteers TV schedule is more than just a list of dates—it's a roadmap for the season. Whether you're tailgating at Neyland or screaming at your TV in your living room, knowing where to find the game is the first win of the week. Stay flexible, keep the ESPN app updated, and always have a backup streaming plan for those SEC Network+ nights.