You’ve probably been there. You settle onto the couch, remote in hand, fully expecting a Thursday night slugfest on the gridiron, only to find... nothing. Or maybe a random bowling replay.
It’s annoying.
If you are asking what channels are football on today, the answer depends entirely on which "football" you’re looking for and what side of the Atlantic you're sitting on. Today, Thursday, January 15, 2026, is one of those weird "gap" days in the American sports calendar, while the European and global scenes are actually heating up with some fascinating mid-week drama.
The NFL Sized Hole in Your Thursday Night
Let’s clear the air immediately for the NFL fans. There is no Thursday Night Football today.
I know, it feels wrong. We’ve been conditioned by months of Amazon Prime broadcasts to expect a game on Thursdays. But we are deep into the 2026 playoffs now. The Wild Card round just wrapped up—with the Texans handling the Steelers and the Rams edging out the Panthers—and the league is catching its breath before the Divisional Round kicks off this weekend.
Basically, the NFL doesn't play on Thursdays in January. They want those high-stakes playoff games on the weekend when the TV ratings hit the stratosphere. You’ll have to wait until Saturday, January 17, when the Buffalo Bills travel to Denver to face the Broncos at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
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European Mid-Week: Serie A, Bundesliga, and Spanish Cup
While the NFL takes a nap, European soccer (the other football) is very much alive. If you’re looking for top-tier action today, you’ve actually got a few solid options across the major leagues.
Italy: AC Milan and the Top 4 Race
The big story in Italy today is Como vs. AC Milan. Since their promotion and heavy investment, Como has become a "must-watch" for the novelty factor alone, but Milan is the real draw here. Christian Pulisic is still the man everyone wants to see, though early reports suggest he might start on the bench today to manage his minutes.
- Kickoff: 19:45 GMT / 2:45 p.m. ET
- Where to watch (USA): Paramount+
- Where to watch (UK): TNT Sports 3 / DAZN
Earlier in the day, Hellas Verona takes on Bologna. It’s not exactly a glamour tie, but for pure tactical nerds, it’s a great afternoon watch on Paramount+ or Sky Sports depending on your region.
Spain: The Giants Enter the Copa del Rey
Spain is currently running its knockout tournament, the Copa del Rey. These games are notorious for "banana skin" upsets where tiny clubs play on literal dirt patches against multi-millionaires. Today, Barcelona is in action against Racing Santander.
Barcelona usually treats the early rounds as a chance to blood the youngsters from La Masia. If you want to see the next 16-year-old superstar before he’s famous, this is the game.
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- Channel (USA): ESPN+
- Channel (UK): LALIGATV / Premier Sports
Germany: Bundesliga Squeeze
The Bundesliga is also squeezing in a Thursday fixture with FC Augsburg vs. Union Berlin. This is a classic mid-table scrap. Expect high intensity and lots of yelling.
- USA: ESPN+ (Kickoff at 2:30 p.m. ET)
- Germany: Sky Sport Bundesliga
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Final Stretch
We are also in the middle of AFCON 2026, which is arguably the most chaotic and entertaining tournament on the planet. The quality is high, the crowds are loud, and the drama is constant.
Today features some under-the-radar matchups as we approach the final weekend. If you’ve never watched AFCON, you’re missing out on some of the most physical and passionate football out there.
- USA Broadcaster: beIN Sports (accessible via Fubo or Sling)
- UK Broadcaster: Channel 4 / Sky Sports
Why Your Local Guide Might Be Lying to You
TV rights in 2026 are a total mess. Honestly, it’s a full-time job just keeping track of which app owns which league.
In the US, most of the "Big Five" European leagues are split between NBC/Peacock (Premier League), ESPN+ (La Liga/Bundesliga), and Paramount+ (Serie A/Champions League). If you’re searching for a game on traditional cable, you’re probably going to come up empty-handed. Most of today's matches are behind a streaming paywall.
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In the UK, the "3 p.m. Blackout" doesn't apply to these midweek games, but you'll still find yourself bouncing between Sky Sports, TNT Sports, and the newer DAZN integration.
What to Watch: A Quick Reference
If you only have time for one game today, make it Como vs. AC Milan. The atmosphere at the Stadio Sinigaglia is unique—it’s right on the lake—and Milan is under immense pressure to keep pace at the top of the table.
| Match | League | Time (ET) | Channel (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| FC Augsburg vs. Union Berlin | Bundesliga | 2:30 PM | ESPN+ |
| Como vs. AC Milan | Serie A | 2:45 PM | Paramount+ |
| Racing Santander vs. Barcelona | Copa del Rey | 3:00 PM | ESPN+ |
| Al Ahly vs. El Geish | Egypt League Cup | 10:00 AM | Fanatiz |
Actionable Tips for Today's Viewership
Don't waste twenty minutes scrolling through a grid guide. If you're serious about catching the games today, do this:
- Check the Apps First: If you’re in the US, open Paramount+ or ESPN+ directly. They usually have the live "match center" right on the home screen.
- Verify the NFL Schedule: If you were looking for the NFL, set your DVR for Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET. That’s when the real action returns with the Bills-Broncos game on CBS.
- Use a Multi-League App: Tools like FotMob or LiveScore are better than Google for real-time TV listings because they adjust for your specific GPS location and local broadcast deals.
The lack of NFL today might be a bummer, but it's a great excuse to see why the rest of the world is obsessed with the European leagues. Grab a coffee, fire up the stream, and enjoy the tactical battle in Italy.