If you are scrambling to figure out what channel is the badger game today, you aren't alone. Between the Big Ten Network, Peacock, and the ever-confusing B1G+ app, finding the Wisconsin Badgers can feel like a full-time job.
Honestly, it shouldn't be this hard to watch a bunch of kids in Madison play sports.
Today is Thursday, January 15, 2026. If you're looking for the Men's Basketball team, you're a couple of days late or a few days early. They just handled Minnesota on Tuesday and don't play Rutgers until Saturday. But don't click away—there is actually a massive Top 5 matchup happening tonight that most casual fans might miss.
The Big One Tonight: No. 2 Wisconsin Men’s Hockey vs. No. 4 Michigan State
This is the game you actually need to care about right now. Mike Hastings has this squad absolutely humming. They are sitting at 15-3-2, which is kind of wild considering where this program was just a few years ago.
What channel is the badger game today?
For the Men’s Hockey showdown against the Spartans, you need to tune into the Big Ten Network (BTN).
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Puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 PM CT.
If you’re at work or away from your couch, you can stream it through the Fox Sports App, but you’ll need your cable provider login for that. It’s a home game at the Kohl Center, so the energy is going to be through the roof.
Women’s Basketball at Northwestern
If you're more into the hoops side of things, the Badger women are also in action tonight. They’re heading down to Evanston to take on Northwestern. This one is a bit trickier to find.
- Time: 7:00 PM CT
- Platform: B1G+ (Big Ten Plus)
Yeah, I know. B1G+ is that separate subscription service that everyone loves to hate. It’s not on a traditional TV channel, so you’ll need the app on your phone, Roku, or Apple TV. Under first-year coach Robin Pingeton, the women have been a surprise, so it might be worth the few bucks for the month if you’re a die-hard.
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Why Finding the Channel is Such a Headache Now
The Big Ten signed that massive $7 billion media rights deal a while back, and while it made the schools rich, it made our lives as fans a mess. You’ve basically got to have a spreadsheet to keep track.
Basically, the games are split between:
- Traditional TV: FOX, CBS, NBC, and FS1.
- Conference TV: Big Ten Network.
- Streaming Exclusives: Peacock.
- Tier 3 Streaming: B1G+.
If the Men's Basketball team is playing a "big" game, it's usually FOX or CBS. If it's a mid-week conference grind, it’s almost always BTN or Peacock. For hockey and "non-revenue" sports like volleyball or wrestling, B1G+ is the primary home unless it’s a high-profile rivalry match.
Looking Ahead: Don't Miss the Weekend Slate
If you're asking about the channel today, you're probably going to be asking again on Saturday. Here is the quick rundown so you can plan your grocery runs or bar trips accordingly.
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Saturday, January 17, 2026
The Men's Basketball team returns to the Kohl Center to face Rutgers.
- Time: 1:00 PM CT
- Channel: Big Ten Network
Sunday, January 18, 2026
The Women’s Basketball team hosts Oregon. This is a big one because the Ducks are still relatively new to the conference landscape.
- Time: 3:00 PM CT
- Channel: Big Ten Network
How to Make Sure You Never Miss a Kickoff or Tip-off
The easiest way to stay on top of this is to download the Badger Sports App. They usually update the broadcast info about 48 hours before the event. Also, follow the specific team accounts on X (formerly Twitter). The @BadgerMHockey and @BadgerMBB accounts are usually pretty good about posting "How to Watch" graphics on the morning of game day.
If you’re a cord-cutter, the best "bang for your buck" is usually a service like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV. They both carry BTN, FS1, and your locals. Just remember that Peacock is its own beast—you’ll still have to pay for that separately when those exclusive Friday night basketball games roll around.
Actionable Steps for Today:
- Check your cable or streaming package to ensure you have Big Ten Network for the hockey game at 8:00 PM.
- If you want to watch the women's game at 7:00 PM, head to the B1G+ website to see if your current alumni or student status gives you a discount on the subscription.
- Sync your digital calendar with the official UW Badgers schedule to get automatic alerts for channel changes.