If you're frantically scrolling through your guide looking for what channel for monday night football tonight, I’ve got some news that might make you want to throw your remote at the wall.
It is Friday, January 16, 2026.
There is no NFL game tonight. Honestly, the NFL doesn't really do Friday nights unless it’s a very weird holiday quirk or an international kickoff. But if you’re asking because you’re planning ahead for the upcoming "Monday Night" window, or you're just confused by the playoff schedule, let's clear up the fog. We are currently stuck in that high-tension gap between the Wild Card round and the Divisional Round.
The last time we saw a game on a Monday was just four days ago, on January 12, when the Houston Texans took down the Pittsburgh Steelers in a Wild Card blowout. That was the final Monday Night Football broadcast of the 2025-2026 season.
Where Did the Monday Night Schedule Go?
Basically, the "Monday Night Football" branding is an ESPN and ABC staple, but once the playoffs hit the Divisional Round, the league shifts to a weekend-only obsession. Tomorrow, Saturday, Jan 17, is when the real chaos starts.
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You’ve got the Buffalo Bills heading into the thin air of Denver to face the Broncos at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS. Later that night, the 49ers and Seahawks settle their NFC West grudge on FOX at 8:00 p.m. ET.
But if you are dead set on finding "Monday Night Football" tonight, you're actually looking for a different sport entirely.
The Monday Night National Championship
While the NFL is dark tonight, the "Monday Night" slot this coming week (January 19) is being hijacked by the biggest game in college sports. The College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship between Miami and Indiana is taking over the traditional MNF time slot.
- Date: Monday, Jan. 19, 2026
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Channel: ESPN
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
If you were hoping for a pro game, you're out of luck. But Indiana is essentially a pro team at this point under Curt Cignetti, and Miami playing a home-field championship is going to be electric. If you're looking for what to watch right now (Friday night), you’ve got the Cavaliers vs. 76ers on ESPN at 7:00 p.m. ET.
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What Channel for Monday Night Football Tonight? (The NFL Playoff Exception)
Normally, you'd find MNF on ESPN or ABC. During the regular season, Joe Buck and Troy Aikman are the voices in your living room. Occasionally, they'll throw a game onto ESPN2 for the "ManningCast" because watching Peyton and Eli lose their minds over a missed block is arguably better than the actual game.
However, the NFL doesn't play on Mondays during the Divisional Round or the Conference Championships. They want those huge Saturday and Sunday TV windows.
If you're trying to find a game on January 16, it’s just not happening. You’ve got to wait about 20 hours for the Bills-Broncos kickoff.
Why the Confusion Happens
The NFL expanded the Wild Card round to include a Monday night game a couple of years ago. It’s a huge ratings hit, so everyone assumes there’s a Monday game every week of the playoffs.
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There isn't.
After that Wild Card Monday, the league reverts to its traditional schedule. It's kinda annoying if you've built your weekly routine around Monday nights, but it gives the players more rest before the Super Bowl. Speaking of which, Super Bowl LX is set for February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. That’s a Sunday. Always a Sunday.
How to Stream the Remaining Playoff Games
Since you're clearly looking for football, you need to know where the next few games are actually playing, even if they aren't tonight.
- YouTube TV: Still the best way to get ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC in one spot.
- Peacock: You'll need this for any NBC-exclusive playoff streams.
- Paramount+: This is your home for anything airing on CBS (like the Bills-Broncos game tomorrow).
- Hulu + Live TV: Great because it bundles ESPN+ for the college championship on Monday.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since there is no game tonight, here is how you should prep for the weekend:
- Check your local listings for CBS and FOX: Tomorrow's Divisional games start early. If you rely on an antenna, make sure your signal is clear for the 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff.
- Update your streaming apps: Nothing kills the vibe like a "forced update" five minutes before kickoff.
- Download the NFL app: If you're out running errands tomorrow, you can stream the local and primetime games on your phone via NFL+.
You aren't going to find an NFL game on your TV tonight, Jan 16. Save the snacks for tomorrow's doubleheader.