If you are currently hunting for what channel is the Notre Dame game on today, you probably already know that being an Irish fan requires a bit of a remote-control gymnastics routine. It’s Saturday, January 17, 2026, and the sports landscape in South Bend is busy. Between the hardwood and the ice, there’s a lot to keep track of, and frankly, the broadcast rights for this school are scattered all over the place.
Where to Watch Notre Dame Basketball vs. Virginia Tech
The big headline for today was the men's basketball showdown. The Irish traveled to Blacksburg to take on Virginia Tech at Cassell Coliseum. This was a noon ET tip-off, and the primary broadcast home was the ACC Network (ACCN).
Honestly, if you missed the live action, the result was a bit of a gut punch for those of us wearing gold and blue. The Irish fell 89-76. It was a high-scoring affair where Virginia Tech's Tobi Lawal basically took over the game with 22 points. Notre Dame's freshman Brady Koehler had a breakout moment with 17 points off the bench, which is a silver lining if you’re looking for one.
If you are trying to find a replay or highlights now, you’ve basically got two options:
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- The ESPN App: Since ACCN is part of the ESPN family, you can usually find the full game archive there if you log in with your cable or streaming provider.
- YouTube TV or Fubo: If you have these services and set your "DVR" to record Notre Dame, the game should be sitting there waiting for you.
Don't Forget the Ice: Notre Dame vs. Penn State Hockey
While the basketball game wrapped up in the afternoon, the day isn't over. The Notre Dame Hockey team is currently in the middle of a massive series against Penn State.
For the puck-drop fans, here is the deal:
- TV Channel: The game is airing on the Big Ten Network (BTN).
- Start Time: 8:00 PM ET.
- Streaming: You can catch this on the Fox Sports app or through any service that carries BTN, like Hulu + Live TV.
Watching hockey on the Big Ten Network while the school is an ACC member for everything else is always a weird quirk of the Notre Dame experience. Since the ACC doesn’t sponsor hockey, the Irish play in the Big Ten for that sport specifically. It makes the "what channel is the Notre Dame game on" question a lot more complicated than it should be.
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Why Finding the Irish on TV is Such a Mess
It’s kinda frustrating, right? One day they’re on NBC, the next they’re on a niche conference network, and then suddenly they’re exclusive to Peacock.
The reality is that Notre Dame’s independence in football is the domino that knocks everything else over. Because football stays with NBC, the rest of the sports have to find homes within the ACC's media rights deal with ESPN. This means that for the most part, basketball lives on ESPN, ESPN2, or the ACC Network.
But wait, there’s more. Occasionally, you’ll find a game on The CW. Yes, the same channel that used to show Dawson’s Creek now shows high-stakes ACC basketball. If you see a game listed there, don't panic—it’s usually free over-the-air with a digital antenna.
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Breaking Down the 2026 Remaining Schedule
If you’re planning out your next few weeks, the schedule doesn’t get any simpler. The Irish head to Chapel Hill next Wednesday, January 21, to play North Carolina. That game is slated for ESPN2 at 7:00 PM ET. After that, they come back home to South Bend on Saturday, January 24, to face Boston College, which slides back over to the ACC Network.
Actionable Tips for the Modern Irish Fan
- Download the "Fighting Irish" App: This is actually one of the better-maintained team apps. It has a "Live" tab that updates the second a game starts, telling you exactly which network is carrying it.
- Check the Radio: If you’re driving and can’t find a stream, the Notre Dame Radio Network is legendary. Tony Simeone usually has the call, and you can stream the audio for free through the Notre Dame website.
- Peacock is Mandatory: Like it or hate it, you basically have to pay for Peacock if you want to see the football "Shamrock Series" or certain basketball matchups that get pushed to streaming only.
The game today against Virginia Tech showed that this young basketball squad has some scoring pop, even if the defense is still a work in progress. If you’re looking for the next game, keep your remote tuned to the ESPN family of networks, but always keep an eye on the Big Ten Network for those hockey nights.
To stay ahead of the next tip-off, sync the official Notre Dame schedule to your Google or Apple calendar. This automatically updates the TV channel info in the event notes as the networks make their final decisions, usually about a week before the game.