When the Texas Longhorns first stepped into Fayetteville as an official member of the SEC in 2024, it felt like the world shifted back onto its proper axis. For decades, this matchup was the pulse of the Southwest Conference. Then, it went dormant, appearing only in rare non-conference dates or the occasional bowl game. Now? It is a permanent fixture. If you are looking for where to watch Texas Longhorns football vs Arkansas Razorbacks football, you're basically looking for the hottest ticket in the South.
The 2026 meeting is set for November 21, 2026. This late-November slot is crucial. By this point in the season, both the Longhorns and the Hogs are usually deep in the trenches of SEC play, fighting for bowl eligibility or, in Texas’ case recently, a spot in the expanded College Football Playoff.
The Best Ways to Catch the Game
Honestly, the SEC's massive media rights deal with Disney has simplified things for fans, even if it hasn't necessarily made it cheaper. Because this is a high-stakes rivalry with massive "hate-watch" potential, it almost always lands on a premium window.
For the 2026 season, you'll want to keep your remote tuned to ABC or ESPN. In 2025, the game was a featured 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff on ABC, and given the historical weight of this series, it rarely gets relegated to the "streaming only" graveyard of SEC Network+.
Linear TV and Cable Options
If you still have traditional cable or satellite (props to you for holding out), it's straightforward.
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- ABC: The flagship home for the SEC's biggest games.
- ESPN/ESPN2: Usually the landing spot if there’s a massive Top-10 clash happening elsewhere at the same time.
- SEC Network: You’ll likely see the pre-game shows and the "SEC Nation" crew here if they decide to set up their stage in Austin or Fayetteville.
Streaming Without Cable
Cord-cutting is the norm now, and you’ve got plenty of ways to bypass the cable company. Most of these offer free trials if you’re just trying to watch this specific game without a long-term commitment.
- Fubo: Frequently praised as the best for sports fans. It carries ABC (in most markets), ESPN, and the SEC Network.
- YouTube TV: It’s basically the gold standard for reliability. You get the multi-view feature, which is great because let's be real—you’re probably trying to track the Texas A&M game at the same time.
- Hulu + Live TV: This one is a sleeper hit because it usually includes Disney+ and ESPN+ in the bundle. If the game somehow ends up as a "Digital Only" broadcast, you’ll already have the access you need.
- Sling TV: You’ll specifically need the "Orange" package for ESPN. Just a heads up, Sling is often the cheapest, but it can be a bit finicky during high-traffic games.
Why This Rivalry Is Different
Some people—mostly younger fans or those who didn't grow up in the region—don't get why this game is so vitriolic. To them, Texas’ "real" rival is Oklahoma or A&M. But talk to anyone in Arkansas, and they'll tell you: Texas is the Big Bad.
Historically, Texas leads the series 58–23. That’s a lopsided number. But numbers don't tell the story of 1964, where Arkansas toppled No. 1 Texas to claim a national title. They don't capture the absolute madness of 1969’s "Game of the Century," where President Richard Nixon showed up to watch No. 1 Texas come back to beat No. 2 Arkansas 15–14.
The "Welcome to the SEC" game in 2021 was a turning point for the modern era. Arkansas absolutely dominated the Longhorns 40–21 in Fayetteville. The fans stormed the field. It was loud. It was ugly. It was perfect college football.
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Predicting the 2026 Matchup
By November 21, 2026, the rosters will look vastly different than they did during the transition years. We are talking about an era where the transfer portal and NIL have completely leveled the playing field—or made it a chaotic arms race, depending on who you ask.
Steve Sarkisian has built Texas into a powerhouse that recruits at a level few can match. Meanwhile, Arkansas under Sam Pittman (or whoever might be leading the Hogs by 2026) relies on that "us against the world" mentality. They play a brand of physical, trench-heavy football that specifically aims to punch finesse teams in the mouth.
Key Factors for the 2026 Game
- The Manning Factor: Depending on how the NFL draft cycles play out, the quarterback room in Austin is always the story.
- Home Field Advantage: In 2026, the game returns to Fayetteville. If you’ve never been to a night game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium when Texas is in town, prepare for your ears to ring for three days.
- Late Season Injuries: Since this game is on November 21, depth is everything. The SEC schedule is a gauntlet. By week 12, it’s usually the team with the best second-string linebackers that walks away with the win.
Actionable Tips for Game Day
If you’re planning on watching, don’t wait until five minutes before kickoff to figure out your login.
Check your local ABC affiliate. Sometimes local blackouts or disputes can mess with your stream. If you’re using an antenna, do a scan the day before.
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Download the ESPN App. Even if you’re watching on a TV service like Fubo, having the ESPN app on your phone as a backup is a pro move. You can log in with your provider credentials and stream if your main service glitches.
Watch the "Flex" schedule. The SEC often doesn't announce the exact kickoff time until 6 to 12 days before the game. They wait to see who is winning so they can put the best games in the primetime 7:30 p.m. ET slot.
Prepare for a long afternoon. SEC games, especially those involving the Longhorns, tend to stretch past the four-hour mark due to commercial breaks and replay reviews. Grab your snacks early, settle into your favorite chair, and get ready for one of the most storied rivalries in the history of the sport to take center stage once again.