You’re staring at the clock, wondering if you've already missed the puck drop or if you have enough time to grab a burger before the Irish take the field. Or the court. Or the ice. Honestly, being a Notre Dame fan in mid-January is basically a full-time job. Between the basketball team trying to find its rhythm in the ACC and the hockey squad grinding through the Big Ten, the schedule gets crowded fast.
If you are looking for the time of Notre Dame game today, specifically for Friday, January 16, 2026, you need to be looking at the ice, not the gridiron. While everyone is talking about the College Football Playoff National Championship happening in a few days between Indiana and Miami, the real action for South Bend today is in University Park, Pennsylvania.
What Time is the Notre Dame Hockey Game Today?
The Notre Dame men’s ice hockey team is facing off against Penn State. This is a massive Big Ten matchup with significant postseason implications. You've got two teams that play a fast, physical style, and Pegula Ice Arena is notoriously one of the loudest venues in the country.
- Game Time: 7:00 PM EST
- Location: Pegula Ice Arena, University Park, PA
- Audio/Radio: Notre Dame Radio Network / Fighting Irish app
This isn't a home game. If you were planning on heading to the Compton Family Ice Arena, you’ll find it empty. The Irish are on the road for this two-game series. It’s a classic Friday night lights situation, just on ice.
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Other Irish Sports Today
While hockey is the main event for most fans tonight, it's not the only thing on the docket. If you follow the Olympic sports, the Men’s Tennis team is also in action. They are hitting the courts in New Haven, Connecticut.
- Men’s Tennis vs. Yale: 5:00 PM EST
It’s a busy day for travel, as almost every major Irish squad is away from home right now.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Notre Dame Schedule
A lot of fans wake up on a Friday in January and immediately search for the basketball time. It makes sense. It’s peak hoops season. However, the time of Notre Dame game today for basketball is... well, there isn't one.
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The men’s basketball team is actually coming off a tough loss against Miami (81-69) and they are currently traveling. They don't play today. You'll have to wait until tomorrow, Saturday, January 17, to see them take on Virginia Tech at noon.
Similarly, the women’s basketball team, led by their usual core of stars, played just yesterday. They had a brutal matchup against No. 9 Louisville. They are resting today before they prep for a massive showdown against UConn on Monday. If you're looking for Niele Ivey’s squad today, you’re out of luck.
Why This Penn State Matchup Matters
Why should you care about a 7:00 PM hockey game on a Friday? Because the Big Ten is a gauntlet. Notre Dame has had some ups and downs lately—like that heated series against Michigan where they struggled to keep the puck out of the net. Penn State is currently sitting with a solid record, and the Irish need to steal a road win to keep their NCAA tournament hopes alive.
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Coach Jeff Jackson usually has these guys ready for the "White Out" atmosphere in Happy Valley. Expect a lot of special teams play. In fact, looking at the recent stats, the Irish have been leaning heavily on their power play to stay competitive when the 5-on-5 play gets stagnant.
Tracking the Fighting Irish: A Quick Checklist
If you’re trying to keep everything straight for the rest of the weekend, here’s a messy, realistic look at what’s coming up:
- Tonight (Friday): Hockey at Penn State, 7:00 PM EST.
- Tonight (Friday): Men's Tennis at Yale, 5:00 PM EST.
- Tomorrow (Saturday): Men's Basketball at Virginia Tech. Tip-off is early at 12:00 PM EST on the ACC Network.
- Tomorrow (Saturday): Hockey Rematch at Penn State. This one starts later at 8:00 PM EST.
- Tomorrow (Saturday): Fencing at the St. John’s Super Cup. This goes on all day.
- Tomorrow (Saturday): Track and Field at the Simmons-Harvey Invite in Ann Arbor (11:00 AM).
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to catch the game tonight, the easiest way is through the radio broadcast if you aren't near a TV with Big Ten Plus. Most Notre Dame hockey games are streamed on Peacock or B1G+, but the radio call on the Fighting Irish app is free and honestly, the commentary is usually top-tier.
Make sure you check your streaming subscriptions now. There’s nothing worse than 6:59 PM hitting and realizing you don't have the right login for a road game. If you're planning for tomorrow's basketball game, set an alarm for 11:45 AM. It’s an early tip in Blacksburg, and the Irish need all the "energy" they can get from the fans at home.
Check the live stats on the official Fighting Irish website once the puck drops at 7:00 PM to see if the Irish can strike first on the power play.