Checking the guide for the game shouldn't feel like a part-time job. Whether you're hunting for the Arizona Cardinals on a Sunday afternoon in January or trying to see if the St. Louis Cardinals are popping up in spring training, the "where" and "when" on Spectrum can get messy. Regional sports networks change names, national broadcasts snatch up the big games, and channel numbers vary from one zip code to the next. Honestly, it's a lot to track.
Right now, if you are looking for the Arizona Cardinals, the situation is pretty clear. The 2025-2026 NFL regular season has wrapped up, and today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, is all about the NFL Divisional Round. Unfortunately for the Bird Gang, the Arizona Cardinals finished their season on January 4 with a 37-20 loss to the Rams. They aren't on the field today. However, the Los Angeles Rams (who the Cardinals play twice a year) are facing off against the Chicago Bears in a massive playoff matchup tonight.
If you’re a St. Louis Cardinals fan, you're currently in that weird limbo between the holidays and the first crack of the bat in Jupiter, Florida. The MLB regular season doesn't start until late March. We’re still a few weeks away from spring training broadcasts, so there isn't a live baseball game to find on your Spectrum box this afternoon.
What Channel Is Cardinals Game On Today Spectrum: The NFL Playoff Picture
Since the Arizona Cardinals aren't in the hunt today, your attention probably shifts to the rest of the NFC. If you're a Spectrum subscriber in the Southwest, you're likely looking for the Rams vs. Bears game. That game is the nightcap for the Divisional Round.
On Spectrum, you'll find this on your local NBC affiliate. In most markets like Phoenix or Tucson, NBC is usually found on Channel 12 or somewhere in the low double digits. If you’ve got the Spectrum Silver or Gold packages, you might also have the high-definition feeds up in the 700s or 1000s depending on your specific hardware.
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The earlier game today features the Houston Texans taking on the New England Patriots. That one is airing on ESPN and ABC. On Spectrum, ESPN is almost universally found on Channel 27 or 31, while ABC will be your local affiliate (like Channel 15 in Phoenix).
Why Channel Numbers Are Never Simple
Spectrum is the king of "it depends." They inherited a dozen different cable systems over the years, from Time Warner to Charter to Bright House. Because of that legacy, a guy in Scottsdale sees a completely different channel map than a fan in St. Louis or Los Angeles.
Basically, the best way to find your exact number is to use the Spectrum Guide button on your remote. You can search by "NFL" or "Football" and it’ll jump right to it. Kinda beats scrolling through 400 channels of infomercials and shopping networks, right?
Finding the St. Louis Cardinals on Spectrum
Switching gears to baseball. If you are asking about the St. Louis Cardinals, you are likely looking for what used to be called Bally Sports Midwest. As of late 2025 and moving into 2026, things have shifted to the FanDuel Sports Network.
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Spectrum still carries this regional sports network (RSN) in the St. Louis "footprint," which covers most of Missouri, central and southern Illinois, and parts of Indiana and Iowa. On Spectrum in St. Louis, FanDuel Sports Network Midwest is typically found on Channel 37 (SD) and Channel 824 (HD).
Here is the thing though: since it’s mid-January, they aren't playing live games. You’ll mostly see "Hot Stove" talk, replays of the 2011 World Series (because we can never watch that enough), or maybe some Blues hockey. The first spring training game isn't until February 21, 2026, against the Nationals.
Watching When the Game Is National
When the Cardinals (either kind) get good enough to be on the national stage, the Spectrum channel search changes. You have to look for:
- FOX: Usually for the big "Game of the Week" on Saturdays (MLB) or Sunday afternoons (NFL).
- FS1: Spectrum usually puts this on Channel 43 or 211.
- ESPN: Look for Channel 27.
- TBS: For those random Tuesday night baseball games, check Channel 31.
Streaming Options for Spectrum Customers
If you're away from your couch but still pay for Spectrum, you aren't out of luck. The Spectrum TV App is actually pretty solid. You can sign in with your account credentials on an iPad, phone, or Roku and watch the live feed of whatever channel the game is on.
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For the NFL games today, you can also use the Peacock app (for the NBC game) or the ESPN/ABC apps. Since you already pay for Spectrum, you can usually "authenticate" these apps by choosing Spectrum as your provider. This is a lifesaver if the family has taken over the main TV for a movie marathon and you're relegated to the kitchen tablet.
Quick Reference for Today's Sports on Spectrum
If you just want the fast version of where to click your remote today, here is the breakdown for Sunday, January 18:
- 3:00 PM ET: Texans at Patriots. Watch on ABC or ESPN. (Spectrum channels vary by city, but try 15 for ABC and 27 for ESPN).
- 6:30 PM ET: Rams at Bears. Watch on NBC. (Usually Channel 12 or 1012 on Spectrum).
- Arizona Cardinals: Season ended. No game today.
- St. Louis Cardinals: Off-season. Spring training starts Feb 21.
Dealing with Blackouts
Blackouts are the worst. If you are an Arizona Cardinals fan living in St. Louis, or vice-versa, you know the pain. Spectrum only provides the local games based on where your house is.
If you’re trying to watch a game that isn't "local" to you, Spectrum won't have it on the standard channels. You'd need something like NFL+ or MLB.tv to see out-of-market teams. It's frustrating, but that’s the current state of sports rights.
Actionable Steps for Game Day
To make sure you don't miss kickoff or the first pitch once the seasons are in full swing, do these three things:
- Download the Spectrum TV App: Log in now so you aren't fumbling with a forgotten password five minutes before the game starts. It’s the easiest backup plan.
- Check the "Sports" Tab: Modern Spectrum receivers have a dedicated sports section in the menu. It aggregates every live game currently airing, regardless of the channel number. It’s way faster than a Google search.
- Verify FanDuel Sports Network: If you’re a baseball fan, double-check that your package still includes the regional sports network. These contracts sometimes lapse, and you don’t want to find that out on Opening Day.
While the Cardinals aren't on your screen today, the NFL playoffs are in full effect. Grab a drink, find the NBC or ABC affiliate on your Spectrum lineup, and enjoy the divisional battles while we wait for the Redbirds to head to Florida next month.