Finding the right channel for the Irish isn't as simple as it used to be. Remember when every single game lived on NBC and you didn't have to think twice? Those days are gone. Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026, and if you’re looking for what channel is the Notre Dame game on today, you’ve gotta check which sport you’re actually chasing.
The football season is in its final, chaotic stretch, while basketball and hockey are deep in the conference grind.
Notre Dame Game Today: The Sunday Breakdown
If you are looking for a live game right this second, Sunday, January 18, 2026, the schedule is surprisingly quiet on the "live action" front for the big three sports.
Men’s Basketball
The Irish men just wrapped up a tough road trip to Blacksburg yesterday. They fell to Virginia Tech 76-89 on Saturday. Honestly, it was a rough one to watch. They don't play today. Their next big test is Wednesday night against North Carolina.
Women’s Basketball
Coach Niele Ivey's squad is preparing for a massive showdown. No. 23 Notre Dame is set to face No. 1 UConn, but that game isn't today. It’s scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, January 19, at 5:00 p.m. ET. You can catch that one on FOX.
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Hockey
The skaters are in a similar boat. They played Penn State yesterday on the Big Ten Network. There is no game scheduled for today, Sunday.
Why is the schedule weird today?
It's National Championship eve for college football. While the Irish aren't in the title game this year—Miami and Indiana are playing for all the marbles tomorrow—the sports world tends to pause a bit on the Sunday before the big Monday night finale.
What Channel Is the Notre Dame Game on Today? Where to Watch the Irish
Even though there isn't a live whistle blowing today, you’ve probably noticed that finding Notre Dame games in 2026 feels like solving a puzzle. The "Notre Dame on NBC" era is still the foundation, but the cracks are filled with streaming services and niche cable networks.
The Football TV Landscape
For football fans, the rule is generally simple: Home games are on NBC or Peacock. But when the Irish travel, things get messy. Because of their ACC scheduling agreement, road games often land on:
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- ABC (for the high-profile night games)
- ESPN/ESPN2
- ACC Network
If they are playing in a "Shamrock Series" game (like the one coming up at Lambeau Field against Wisconsin later this year), NBC usually keeps the rights, but you’ll want to double-check if it's a Peacock exclusive.
Basketball and the ACC Network
For hoops, the ACC Network (ACCN) is your best friend and worst enemy. It carries about 70% of the conference games. The high-stakes matchups—think Duke, Carolina, or Virginia—usually migrate to ESPN or ESPN2.
Interestingly, we’ve seen more games lately on The CW. Yeah, the channel that used to just be for teen dramas is now a major player for Saturday afternoon ACC basketball.
Streaming the Irish: Do You Need Peacock?
Basically, yes. If you are a Notre Dame fan in 2026, you can't survive without a Peacock subscription.
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NBC has moved at least one football game per year exclusively to the streaming platform. More importantly, the Notre Dame Hockey home schedule is now almost entirely exclusive to Peacock. If you want to see the action at the Compton Family Ice Arena, you aren't going to find it on traditional cable.
Other Must-Have Apps
- ESPN+: Essential for some of the mid-week non-conference basketball games.
- B1G+: Occasionally needed for hockey road games against Big Ten opponents.
- YouTube TV or Fubo: These remain the best "all-in-one" replacements for cable to ensure you get the local NBC affiliate and the ACC Network.
Upcoming Games and Where to Tune In
Since you’re looking for what channel is the Notre Dame game on today and finding a blank Sunday, here is exactly where you need to look for the rest of this week:
- Monday, Jan 19: Women’s Basketball at UConn. Channel: FOX.
- Wednesday, Jan 21: Men’s Basketball at North Carolina. Channel: ESPN2.
- Friday, Jan 23: Hockey vs. Ohio State. Streaming: Peacock.
- Saturday, Jan 24: Men’s Basketball vs. Boston College. Channel: ACC Network.
It's a busy week. The basketball team is trying to snap a three-game skid, and the UConn rivalry for the women is always a bloodbath.
Pro-Tip for Avoiding Blackouts
I’ve seen a lot of fans get frustrated when they see a game listed on "ACC Network Extra" (ACCNX).
Just a heads up: ACCNX is not a TV channel. It’s a streaming-only overflow that you access through the ESPN app. To watch it, you have to log in with your cable provider credentials (like Xfinity, DirecTV, or Hulu). If you don't have the standard ACC Network in your cable package, ACCNX will be blacked out for you. It’s annoying, but that's the current state of sports media.
Actionable Steps for the Irish Fan
- Download the "Fighting Irish" App: It's actually pretty good for real-time score updates and direct links to whichever radio or TV broadcast is live.
- Check the TV Listings at 10:00 AM: Most game times and specific channel designations (like whether a game is on ESPN or ESPN2) are finalized about 4-7 days in advance.
- Sync your Calendar: Go to the official Notre Dame athletics site and use the "Add to Calendar" feature. It usually updates with the TV channel automatically once it’s announced.
The Irish schedule is a moving target. While today might be a rest day, tomorrow's clash with UConn is one you definitely don't want to miss on FOX.