So, you're looking for the Irish. Whether you're a die-hard alum or just someone who enjoys watching the Golden Domers occasionally struggle (or dominate) on the national stage, finding the right channel is sometimes a whole chore. It's especially confusing because Notre Dame plays this weird balancing act between being an independent and being "sorta" in the ACC.
Today is Saturday, January 17, 2026, and if you’re asking what channel is the Notre Dame game on, the answer depends entirely on which sport you're trying to catch. The Irish have a packed Saturday across hoops and hockey, and the networks are spread all over the dial.
Finding the Men's Basketball Game: Irish at Hokies
If you are looking for Micah Shrewsberry’s squad, they are on the road today. They've headed down to Blacksburg to take on Virginia Tech at Cassell Coliseum.
Basically, the game is on ACC Network (ACCN).
Tip-off is set for Noon ET. If you’re a cable cutter, you’re looking at FuboTV, YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV to get the ACC Network. Don’t go looking for it on Peacock or NBC—those deals are mostly for the football side of things. The Irish enter this one with a 10-7 record, trying to snap a bit of a skid after that tough loss to Miami earlier in the week. Honestly, the ACC is a meat grinder this year, and winning in Blacksburg is never exactly a "gimme" for anyone.
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Don't Forget the Ice: Notre Dame Hockey vs. Penn State
Maybe you aren't looking for basketball at all. If you're looking for the puck drop, the Irish are currently in the middle of a brutal Big Ten series. Last night wasn't great—Penn State took them down 4-1—so tonight is the big "bounce back" opportunity.
The Notre Dame hockey game is on Big Ten Network (BTN).
The puck drops at 8:00 p.m. ET. Since Notre Dame is a sport-specific member of the Big Ten for hockey, they fall under that conference's massive TV umbrella. If you don't have BTN on your cable package, you can usually find it via the Fox Sports app if you have a login, or through the usual streaming suspects like Sling or DirecTV Stream.
Why Is Finding the Notre Dame Channel Always So Weird?
It’s a fair question. Most teams have one home. If you’re a Georgia fan, you basically just leave your TV on SEC Network or ABC. But Notre Dame is the "Special Snowflake" of college athletics.
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Since 1991, they've had that legendary deal with NBC. That’s why every single home football game is on NBC or Peacock. But because they are an independent in football, they had to park their other sports somewhere to stay relevant. That somewhere is the ACC.
So, here is the breakdown of how to find them generally:
- Home Football: NBC or Peacock (exclusive).
- Away Football: Usually whatever the home team’s conference network is (ESPN, ABC, FOX, etc.).
- Basketball (Men’s and Women’s): Usually ACC Network, ESPN, or sometimes "The CW" for those random weekend afternoon games.
- Hockey: Big Ten Network or Peacock for home games.
It’s a lot to keep track of. You’ve basically got to have a spreadsheet just to know where to point your remote on a Saturday.
Common Misconceptions About Notre Dame Broadcasts
A lot of people think every Notre Dame game is on NBC. It’s a common mistake. Honestly, I get it. The branding is so tied together that it feels like they should be. But if the Irish are playing an ACC opponent on the road in basketball, NBC has zero rights to that.
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Another weird one? Peacock. Some fans still hate it, but Peacock is becoming the "exclusive" home for at least one football game a year and a huge chunk of the hockey schedule. If you’re a real fan, you basically have to pay the $7 or $8 a month just to make sure you don't miss that one random Saturday in October where the football team gets tucked away behind a paywall.
Your Game Day Checklist for January 17, 2026
If you’re sitting down to watch today, here is the quick-hit list of what you need:
- 12:00 p.m. ET: Turn on ACC Network for Notre Dame vs. Virginia Tech (Basketball).
- 8:00 p.m. ET: Switch over to Big Ten Network for Notre Dame vs. Penn State (Hockey).
- App Check: Ensure your ESPN app or Fox Sports app is logged in if you’re planning on watching while you’re out running errands.
The basketball game is the "big" one for today in terms of national interest, especially with the Irish trying to find their footing in the conference standings. Virginia Tech is always loud, and the Hokies are favored by about 5.5 points, so expect a tight one.
To stay ahead of the curve for next week, keep in mind the Irish return home to face North Carolina on Wednesday. That one will be on ESPN2, which is a lot easier for most people to find than the ACC Network. For now, enjoy the noon tip-off and the late-night hockey clash.
Practical Next Step: Check your local listings or your streaming provider's search bar for "ACC Network" right now to ensure it's included in your subscription before the noon tip-off. If it's missing, you might need to grab a free trial of a streaming service like FuboTV or YouTube TV to catch the basketball game today.