If you’re scrambling to find out what channel football on tonight, you’ve likely realized that the NFL schedule-makers aren't messing around this year. It's Saturday, January 17, 2026, and we are officially in the thick of the Divisional Round. This is arguably the best weekend of the entire year for sports fans—better than the Super Bowl, honestly, because you get four high-stakes games in 48 hours instead of just one over-hyped media circus.
Tonight isn't just about the pros, though. If you're a soccer fan, the schedule is absolutely packed with European heavyweights. Basically, if it involves a ball and a field, it’s probably on a screen somewhere.
The NFL Divisional Round: Heavyweights in the High Country
The afternoon window kicks off with a massive AFC clash. The Buffalo Bills are heading to Empower Field at Mile High to take on the Denver Broncos. This one is a 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff, and you can catch it on CBS. If you’ve cut the cord, Paramount+ is your destination for the live stream. It’s kinda wild to see the Broncos as the #1 seed in the AFC, but their defense has been a buzzsaw all season. Josh Allen in the cold is always a spectacle, so don't miss the start.
Once that wraps up, we shift to the Pacific Northwest for the nightcap. At 8:00 p.m. ET, the San Francisco 49ers face the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. This is an all-NFC West showdown on FOX. You can also find it on FOX One or stream it via Fubo. The Seahawks took the division this year with a 14-3 record, but the 49ers just knocked off Philly last week and look like they’ve found their rhythm. The atmosphere in Seattle is going to be deafening.
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Soccer Saturday: Manchester Derby and European Giants
For those of you who started your day with "the other football," the action hasn't stopped. The early morning was dominated by the Manchester Derby, but there are still replays and late-window coverage happening across the networks.
USA Network and Universo have been the primary homes for the Premier League today. We saw Liverpool take on Burnley earlier, and Nottingham Forest faced Arsenal in the midday slot on NBC. If you’re looking for evening coverage or West Coast afternoon matches, check Peacock Premium. They’ve been housing the bulk of the exclusive matches like Tottenham vs. West Ham.
Over in Spain, Real Madrid played Levante earlier on ESPN+, and if you’re into the German Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen were the big draws on the same platform. Basically, if you have an ESPN+ subscription, your "football" needs are covered well into the evening with match replays and highlights.
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College Football: Why is the Schedule Empty?
You might be wondering about the college kids. It's a bit of a quiet night on that front. The College Football Playoff National Championship is set for Monday, January 19. That’s the big one: Indiana vs. Miami.
Honestly, it’s kinda weird not having a Saturday night college game, but the NFL essentially owns the airwaves during the Divisional Round. The NCAA knows better than to compete with a Niners-Seahawks playoff game. If you really need a college fix, you’ll have to wait until Monday night on ESPN.
Quick Streaming Guide for Tonight
If you don't have a traditional cable box, don't panic. There are plenty of ways to find what channel football on tonight through digital platforms.
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For the Bills vs. Broncos game, Paramount+ is the easiest route. For the 49ers vs. Seahawks, you can use the FOX Sports app, though you’ll need a TV provider login. If you’re a total cord-cutter, Sling TV (Blue), Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV carry both CBS and FOX in most markets.
Streaming has gotten a bit complicated with all these exclusive rights, but for the playoffs, the "big" networks still hold the keys. Just make sure your internet is stable before that 8:00 p.m. kickoff because the 49ers pass rush isn't going to wait for your router to reboot.
Watching the Games Internationally
If you're reading this from outside the U.S., your options vary. In Canada, DAZN is usually the go-to for both the NFL and the Premier League. In the UK, Sky Sports carries the late-night NFL games, though you’ll be staying up past midnight to see the end of the Seahawks game.
The NFL has been pushing hard for global reach, so the "NFL Game Pass" on DAZN is generally the most reliable way to catch every single playoff snap without worrying about regional blackouts.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your local listings: While the networks (CBS and FOX) are national, the exact channel number depends on your provider.
- Update your apps: If you're streaming on Paramount+ or Peacock, make sure the apps are updated now to avoid "update-loop" frustration right at kickoff.
- Sync your fantasy/betting apps: With lines moving on the Seahawks game (currently Seattle -2.5), keep an eye on late injury reports for Sam Darnold and Ricky Pearsall.
- Set the DVR: If you're planning on flipping between the NFL and some late-night soccer replays, make sure you've got your recordings set for the Bills-Broncos game early.
The path to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is getting narrow. Tonight’s games will decide half of the Conference Championship bracket. Grab your snacks, find your remote, and settle in. It’s going to be a long night of hits, headers, and hopefully, no overtime heartbreaks—unless you're a betting man.