If you’re a Crimson Tide fan, your life basically revolves around one question every week: what channel is the Alabama game coming on? Whether it’s Kalen DeBoer leading the football team into a high-stakes SEC showdown or Nate Oats having the basketball team run circles around opponents at Coleman Coliseum, nobody wants to be that person frantically scrolling through the channel guide two minutes after kickoff.
Right now, we are sitting in the heart of January 2026. The football season just wrapped up its massive Playoff run, and the basketball team is hitting the meat of the SEC schedule. Keeping track of where to watch is kinda getting complicated with all the different networks involved.
Where to Watch Alabama Basketball Right Now
Honestly, if you're looking for the basketball game today, January 15, 2026, the men's team is actually in a brief travel window between games. They just came off a tough road battle against Mississippi State on Tuesday, which aired on the SEC Network.
The next big one you need to circle is this coming Saturday, January 17. The Tide travels to Norman to take on the Oklahoma Sooners. That game is officially slated for the SEC Network as well. Tip-off times can be fluid, but usually, these Saturday SEC windows are either early afternoon or prime time.
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If you're looking for the women's team today, they have a matchup against North Florida. That one is a bit more "niche" for the average cable subscriber because it’s streaming on ESPN+. It’s the reality of modern sports—sometimes you’ve gotta have the app ready.
What Channel Is the Alabama Game Coming On for Football?
I know, the football season just had a wild ride. On New Year's Day 2026, Alabama took on Indiana in the Rose Bowl (a CFP Quarterfinal). If you missed it, that was the big ESPN broadcast.
Looking ahead to the fall 2026 season, the schedule is already set. It's going to be a gauntlet. Here is how the TV landscape usually breaks down for Bama football:
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- ABC/ESPN: Since the SEC moved away from CBS, almost every "Game of the Week" for the Tide now lives on ABC or ESPN. The primetime 6:30 PM CT slot on ABC is where the biggest matchups, like the Georgia or Auburn games, usually land.
- SEC Network: You’ll find the games against non-conference opponents (like the season opener against East Carolina on September 5, 2026) here.
- SEC Network+ / ESPN+: Usually, one game a year—typically the "homecoming" style game against a smaller school like Chattanooga—is relegated to the streaming-only tier.
Cord-Cutting Options for the Crimson Tide
You don't need a traditional $150-a-month cable bill to see every play. Most Tide fans have migrated to services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Fubo.
The secret is making sure your package includes the SEC Network. Without it, you’re going to miss about 30% of the basketball season and at least two or three football games. If you’re using a digital antenna, you’ll catch the massive games on ABC (like the Third Saturday in October against Tennessee), but you’ll be blind for the rest.
Common TV Myths for Bama Fans
One thing people get wrong is thinking every game is on "regular" TV. It isn't 1995 anymore.
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Sometimes, the "what channel is the Alabama game coming on" answer is actually "it’s not on a channel; it’s on an app." For basketball specifically, some of those early-season tournaments or midweek non-conference games stay locked behind the ESPN+ paywall.
Also, don't rely on the "local" listings if you're traveling. If you’re an Alabama fan living in, say, California, the game might be "blacked out" on local broadcast if it’s a regional syndication, though that’s becoming rarer with the new SEC-Disney contract.
Actionable Steps for the Next Game
- Check the SEC App: Download the official SEC app. It updates in real-time with network assignments, which often aren't finalized until six days before a game.
- Verify your ESPN Login: Most "channels" are accessible through the ESPN app if you have a provider login. Make sure yours is saved and working before Saturday.
- Sync your Calendar: Go to RollTide.com and use the "Sync Schedule" feature. It puts the game times and TV channels directly into your phone’s calendar and updates automatically when a network is picked up.
The landscape of sports media is shifting fast, but as long as you have access to the ESPN family of networks and ABC, you’re basically covered for 95% of the action.