So, you're looking for the game. I get it. It’s Saturday, January 17, 2026, and the golden helmets are usually the only thing on a fan's mind. But here is the thing: if you’re clicking around your remote looking for what channel is notre dame football on today, you’re going to be staring at a lot of empty turf.
The football season is over. Well, for the Irish, anyway.
While the College Football Playoff National Championship is looming in Miami this coming Monday, Marcus Freeman and his squad aren't on the field today. But don't throw the remote at the wall just yet. If you are a die-hard South Bend loyalist, there is actually a huge matchup happening right now—it just involves a different kind of ball.
The "Game" You're Actually Looking For (It's on ACCN)
If you saw "Notre Dame" on a schedule for today, you likely saw the Men's Basketball tip-off. They are taking on Virginia Tech at Cassell Coliseum.
Honestly, the confusion happens every January. People see the logo, assume it's a bowl game or a late-season scrimmage, and start hunting for NBC. Since it is an away game against an ACC opponent, you won’t find it on the usual local NBC affiliate. You need to flip over to the ACC Network (ACCN).
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The tip-off was set for 12:00 p.m. ET. If you’ve missed the start, you can usually stream it via the ESPN app or through Fubo and YouTube TV if you have the right sports tier.
What about the Football National Championship?
You might have heard Marcus Freeman's name popping up in the news cycle today. That is because he is down in Miami. He isn't coaching, though; he's joining College GameDay as a guest analyst.
The real football action is on Monday, January 19. That’s when the National Championship goes down. Since it’s 2026, the expanded playoff system has shifted the calendar quite a bit, making these mid-January weekends feel like they should have more football than they actually do.
Where Notre Dame Football Usually Lives
When the 2026 season actually kicks off—which, mark your calendars, starts Sunday, September 6, 2026, against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field—you’ll be back to the classic routine.
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Notre Dame’s deal with NBC is basically the longest-running marriage in sports media. They recently extended that contract through 2029.
Basically, for home games, it's always going to be:
- NBC (Local broadcast)
- Peacock (Streaming)
One thing that trips people up? The "Peacock Exclusive." NBC usually takes one game a year and moves it entirely to the streaming platform. It drives fans crazy, but it’s the reality of the 2026 landscape. For away games, it’s a total toss-up between ABC, ESPN, and occasionally the ACC Network, depending on who is hosting the Irish.
Why the 2026 Schedule is a Mess (In a Good Way)
The upcoming 2026 season is going to be wild. Because Notre Dame is an independent, their TV schedule looks like a patchwork quilt. They’ve got the Shamrock Series game against Wisconsin to start the year, which is a massive NBC/Peacock primetime event.
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Then you have games against Michigan State and Purdue. Because those are Big Ten teams, if Notre Dame is playing at their stadium, you might find the game on FOX or even CBS. It’s a headache to track.
Checking the Dial: A Quick Cheat Sheet
Since you’re probably still holding the remote, here is how to find the Irish for the rest of this weekend:
- Men's Basketball vs. Virginia Tech (Today): ACC Network.
- Hockey vs. Penn State (Tonight): This one is at 8:00 p.m. ET. Check your local listings or the Penn State streaming affiliates; it's often on BTN+ or local regional sports networks.
- National Championship Coverage (Monday): Catch Marcus Freeman and the rest of the analyst crew on ESPN.
It’s easy to get frustrated when the "Notre Dame football" search doesn't give you a live score. We’ve been conditioned to expect a game every Saturday. But right now, the grass at Notre Dame Stadium is likely under a few inches of Indiana snow.
Next Steps for the Savvy Fan:
If you want to be ready for the 2026 kickoff in Green Bay, make sure your Peacock subscription is active before September. The school has already confirmed that at least one major documentary series and a select home game will be behind that paywall this coming season. Also, keep an eye on the ACC Network for these mid-winter basketball grinds; the Irish are currently trying to snap a losing streak, and every conference game in Blacksburg is a dogfight.