If you’re scrambling to figure out what channel are the 49ers playing on, you’ve come to the right place. The San Francisco 49ers are heading into a massive NFC Divisional Round matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, and honestly, the stakes couldn't be higher. This is a classic "win or go home" situation. After knocking off the Eagles in the Wild Card round, Brock Purdy and the gang are traveling up to a very loud Lumen Field to take on the top-seeded Seahawks.
The game is happening tonight, Saturday, January 17, 2026. Kickoff is officially set for 5:00 p.m. PT (8:00 p.m. ET).
Where to find the game on TV
Basically, if you have a TV and a pair of rabbit ears, you're probably good. The game is being broadcast nationally on FOX. Since it’s a playoff game, you don’t have to worry about weird regional blackouts or local-only coverage—everyone in the country gets to see this one. You’ll be hearing Kevin Burkhardt on play-by-play and Tom Brady in the booth.
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Streaming options if you don't have cable
Not everyone has a cable box anymore, and that’s fine. You can still catch every snap. Here is the lowdown on how to stream it:
- FOX Sports App: You can log in with your provider credentials here.
- Fubo: Probably the best bet for sports fans since they have a free trial.
- Hulu + Live TV: Includes FOX in most markets.
- YouTube TV: Another solid choice that carries the local FOX affiliate.
- NFL+: Just a heads up, this is usually limited to phone and tablet viewing for live games.
Why this matchup is kinda terrifying
Look, nobody wants to play in Seattle in January. The Seahawks are the No. 1 seed for a reason. They had a first-round bye, which means they’re rested, while the Niners are coming off a physical battle in Philadelphia. Plus, let's not forget the regular season finale where Seattle beat the 49ers 13-3. That game was a defensive slugfest that left a lot of 49ers fans worried about the offensive line's ability to protect Purdy.
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San Francisco's defense has been playing lights out lately, though. They held the Eagles to just 19 points last week. But the big question mark is the health of George Kittle. He's been dealing with a nagging injury, and while he’s expected to play, the Niners really need him at 100% to open up those passing lanes for Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel.
The key players to watch
If you're watching the broadcast, the announcers are going to talk about these guys constantly:
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- Brock Purdy: The "underdog" narrative is still going strong. He’s 5-2 in the playoffs now, but he needs to avoid those costly interceptions that stalled the offense in their last meeting with Seattle.
- Christian McCaffrey: He is the engine. Seattle has a top-tier run defense, so seeing how CMC finds gaps will be the story of the first half.
- Sam Darnold: Yeah, you read that right. He’s been leading the Seahawks to a 14-3 record. He’s listed as questionable with an oblique injury, but most insiders expect him to start.
- Trent Williams: He missed the last Seahawks game. Having him back at left tackle changes everything for the 49ers' protection schemes.
Radio and international viewing
If you're stuck in the car or just prefer the old-school radio vibe, you can tune into Westwood One for the national call. Locally in the Bay Area, the game will be on KSFO (810 AM) and The Bone (107.7 FM). For those of you overseas, the game kicks off at 1:00 a.m. GMT on Sunday morning.
Making sense of the odds
The Seahawks are currently favored by about 7 points. That seems high for a divisional rivalry, but home-field advantage at Lumen Field is usually worth at least 3 points on its own. The over/under is sitting at 45, suggesting Vegas expects a moderately high-scoring game despite how the Week 18 matchup went.
Actionable next steps for fans
- Check your local listings: Even though it’s on FOX, double-check that your antenna or streaming service is picking up your local affiliate 30 minutes before kickoff.
- Update your apps: If you're planning to stream on the FOX Sports app or Fubo, make sure the app is updated now so you aren't stuck waiting for a download while the game is starting.
- Prepare for the noise: If you're a 49ers fan, expect some stress. This is likely going to be a one-possession game heading into the fourth quarter.
Keep an eye on the late-afternoon injury reports. If Sam Darnold’s oblique injury keeps him out, the line will move drastically, and the 49ers' chances of an upset skyrocket. Regardless of who is under center for Seattle, make sure you're settled in by 5:00 p.m. PT to see if San Francisco can punch their ticket to the NFC Championship.