If you’re staring at your TV guide right now trying to figure out what station is monday night football on tonight, you might be feeling a little bit of that mid-January confusion. It happens every year. The regular season schedule we all memorized—where Monday meant Joe Buck and Troy Aikman—shifts once the playoffs hit the high gears.
Tonight is Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
Here is the quick answer: There is actually no NFL game tonight.
Wait, don’t close the tab yet. While the NFL is taking a breather after an intense Divisional Round weekend, there is a massive football game happening on the exact same channel you usually associate with Monday nights. If you’re looking for "Monday Night Football" in the literal sense, you’re looking for the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship, and it is airing on ESPN.
Why isn't there an NFL game tonight?
Honestly, the NFL schedule can be a bit of a moving target once January rolls around. Last week, we had that Monday night Wild Card game where the Houston Texans traveled to Pittsburgh. It was a classic "Monday Night Football" production. But tonight? The league clears the schedule.
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They do this for a very specific reason. Tonight belongs to the college kids.
The NFL famously avoids scheduling games against the College Football Playoff National Championship. It’s a bit of a "gentleman’s agreement" in the broadcasting world. Why split the audience when you can let the biggest college game of the year have the spotlight?
So, if you were hoping to see the NFL Divisional Round continue, you actually missed the boat by about 24 hours. The Bills, Broncos, 49ers, and Seahawks already settled their business over the weekend. We are officially in the waiting period before the Conference Championships next Sunday.
What station is monday night football on tonight (College Edition)
Even though it’s not the pros, the game tonight is being treated with the full "Monday Night Football" level of production.
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The No. 10 Miami Hurricanes are taking on the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers (yes, you read that right—Indiana is a powerhouse in 2026). The game is being played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, and the broadcast is wall-to-wall.
Where to watch:
- Main Broadcast: ESPN
- The "MegaCast" Options: ESPN2, ESPNU, and the ACC Network
- Streaming: ESPN+ and the ESPN App
The kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. If you’re a fan of the ManningCast style of watching games, keep an eye on ESPN2. They usually run various "Film Room" or specialized broadcast feeds there that feel much more conversational than the standard booth call.
The confusion with the "Monday Night Football" brand
It's easy to see why people get tripped up. For 18 weeks, we are conditioned to believe that Monday + Night + Football = NFL.
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Disney (which owns both ABC and ESPN) uses the "Monday Night Football" branding for their NFL playoff game during the Wild Card round. Since that happened exactly seven days ago, the muscle memory kicks in. You sit down, grab your wings, and search for the station.
Technically, the NFL won't be back on a Monday until the 2026 regular season kicks off in September. However, if you are a football junkie, tonight’s Miami vs. Indiana matchup is actually a pro-scouting goldmine. You're basically watching the 2027 and 2028 NFL Draft classes battle it out on the same turf.
Looking ahead to the next REAL NFL games
Since you’re already looking for the station, you might as well mark your calendar for when the NFL actually returns to the airwaves. We are down to the final four teams.
The Conference Championships are scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026.
- AFC Championship: This will be on CBS (and streaming on Paramount+).
- NFC Championship: This one is heading to FOX.
The winners of those games will then head to SoFi Stadium for Super Bowl LXI on February 14. This year's Super Bowl is actually on NBC, just to keep you on your toes.
Summary for tonight
If you’ve got your remote in hand, just head over to ESPN. You won't see the Steelers or the Texans, but you will see the crowning of a national champion. It’s the same "big game" feel, the same announcers you’re used to, and it’s the only live football you’re going to get until next Sunday.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your local listings: If you are using an antenna, check if your local ABC station is simulcasting the CFP game. Sometimes they do this for major championship events to reach a broader audience.
- Download the ESPN App: If you’re away from your couch, the app is usually the most stable way to stream tonight’s game, provided you have a cable login or an ESPN+ subscription.
- Prep for Sunday: Since there’s no NFL tonight, use the evening to check the injury reports for the Conference Championship games. The extra day of rest for the pros usually means we get a much faster, healthier game come Sunday.