You're sitting there, remote in hand, trying to figure out what channel is the Fever game on, and honestly, it’s a bit of a mess. One night they’re on ABC. The next, they’re buried on a streaming service you forgot you subscribed to. Then, suddenly, they’re on a local channel that requires an actual antenna. It’s the "Caitlin Clark effect" in full swing.
The Indiana Fever have basically become the most-watched team in the history of women's basketball, but that popularity comes with a price: a fragmented TV schedule that would make a rocket scientist dizzy.
If you're looking for the game today, January 18, 2026, here is the short answer: The WNBA season hasn't started yet. We are currently in the thick of the offseason. But with a potential CBA lockout looming and new expansion teams like the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo joining the fray, the 2026 broadcast landscape is changing fast.
The 2026 TV Landscape: Where the Fever Live Now
For the 2026 season, the WNBA has doubled down on national exposure. If you’re asking what channel is the Fever game on, you’re likely going to find them on one of the "Big Five" partners.
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- ION (Friday Nights): This has become the gold standard for consistency. If it's Friday, and the Fever are playing, check ION. They’ve locked in those "WNBA Friday Night" doubleheaders, and the Fever are almost always the headliner.
- Disney Networks (ABC/ESPN/ESPN2): These are for the "big" games. Think matchups against the Las Vegas Aces or the New York Liberty.
- Amazon Prime Video: Expect at least 6-8 games to be exclusive here this year. You can’t just flip to a channel number; you need the app.
- CBS and CBS Sports Network: These usually pop up on weekends.
- NBA TV: They pick up the "scraps," which are still high-value games that didn't make the cut for the major networks.
The weird part? Local fans in Indiana have it different. If you live in the Indianapolis area, you're often looking for WTHR or WALV. These are TEGNA-owned stations that broadcast games for free over the air. But—and this is a big "but"—if the game is picked up by a national exclusive like ABC or ESPN, the local broadcast gets blacked out. It's frustrating. You’ve probably experienced that "not available in your area" message more than once.
Why Finding the Fever Game Feels Like a Chore
Last year, the Fever were on national TV for 41 out of 44 games. That’s insane. No other team even came close. But because the rights are split between so many different companies, there isn't one "home" for the team.
Take the streaming situation. You might need ESPN+ for certain games, Paramount+ for the CBS games, and Amazon Prime for others. Then there's WNBA League Pass.
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Here is the kicker about League Pass: it’s amazing for fans outside of Indiana. You get almost every game for a steal of a price. But if you live in Indiana, League Pass is almost useless for live games because of local blackout restrictions. You’ll have to wait until the game ends to watch the replay.
The 2026 Expansion and How It Affects Your Remote
With the league expanding to 14 teams this year (hello, Toronto and Portland), the schedule is more packed than ever. The WNBA is also moving toward a 44-game season. More games mean more TV slots to fill, but it also means the "premium" channels like ABC have to pick and choose.
We’re also seeing new players enter the broadcast booth. Reports indicate that NBC and Peacock are preparing to take on a massive chunk of the WNBA rights starting this year. This is a huge shift. If you’re used to finding games on certain cable networks, you might need to start getting comfortable with the Peacock interface.
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What About the 2026 Schedule Release?
People are already searching for the specific dates, but the league usually doesn't drop the official calendar until late winter or early spring. Given the current labor tensions and the "opt-out" of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) by the players, there’s a bit of a waiting game happening.
Experts like Cathy Engelbert have hinted that the schedule will prioritize "window consistency." Basically, they want you to know that Tuesday is for one network and Friday is for another. But until that's finalized, you're stuck checking the WNBA app every single game day.
Quick Checklist for Fever Fans
- Download the WNBA App: It’s the only way to get real-time updates on channel changes.
- Get an Antenna: If you’re in the Indy market, WTHR is your best friend for non-national games.
- Check the "Multi-View": If you use YouTube TV or Fubo, they often bundle these sports channels, making it slightly easier to find what channel is the Fever game on without scrolling through 500 options.
Don't Forget the Radio
Sometimes the TV situation is just too much. If you're driving through the Midwest or just want to avoid the screen, 93.5/107.5 The Fan in Indianapolis remains the flagship. They cover every game, home and away. There’s something kinda nostalgic about listening to a Fever game on the radio while the TV rights battle it out in the background.
Practical Next Steps for the Offseason
Since we are currently in January and the season doesn't start for a few more months, you should take this time to audit your subscriptions.
Check if your cable or streaming package includes ION and NBA TV, as those are the two most likely to catch you off guard. If you’re a "cord-cutter," look into whether Fubo or YouTube TV carries your local TEGNA station (WTHR) so you don't miss those exclusive local broadcasts. Also, keep an eye on the Fever Direct streaming service; the team has been piloting a direct-to-consumer option that might bypass the need for a massive cable bundle altogether.