What Teams Play Football Tomorrow: The Huge Games You Actually Care About

You're looking at your calendar, it's Saturday, and you're already planning the snacks. Tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, 2026, isn't just another day of sports. It is basically the pinnacle of the winter season. We are talking about the NFL Divisional Round reaching its fever pitch while European soccer leagues—the "Big Five"—are deep into their most grueling mid-season battles.

If you're asking what teams play football tomorrow, the short answer is: the heavyweights. We have high-stakes American football in Foxborough and Chicago, while across the pond, Barcelona and AC Milan are fighting to keep their domestic dreams alive.

It’s a lot to keep track of. Honestly, between the different time zones and the sheer volume of matches, it’s easy to miss a kickoff. Here is the breakdown of exactly who is taking the field and why these specific games matter for your Sunday viewing.

The NFL Divisional Round: Two Massive Games

The NFL playoffs are down to the final eight teams. Tomorrow, the bracket gets even smaller.

Houston Texans at New England Patriots

This is the early bird special. The Houston Texans travel to Gillette Stadium to take on the New England Patriots. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 PM ET on ESPN and ABC.

New England earned their spot here after a defensive masterclass against the Chargers in the Wild Card round, winning 16-3. They’ve got that home-field chill on their side, which is always a factor in January. Meanwhile, Houston is coming in hot. They absolutely dismantled the Steelers 30-6 last week. If you like young quarterbacks trying to prove they belong in the elite tier, this is the one.

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Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears

This is the primetime slot you don't want to miss. The Los Angeles Rams are heading into the "Windy City" to face the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. You can catch this at 6:30 PM ET on NBC and Peacock.

Chicago’s vibe right now is electric. They barely escaped the Green Bay Packers with a 31-27 win last week, and the city is buzzing. The Rams, though? They are the ultimate "road warriors" right now after a tight 34-31 victory over the Panthers. Expect a physical, cold-weather game where the run game will probably decide who moves on to the NFC Championship.

English Premier League: High Stakes in the Mid-Table

While the NFL dominates the afternoon, the morning belongs to the Premier League.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Newcastle United kicks things off early. Newcastle has been on a decent run lately, sitting around 6th in the table. Wolves, on the other hand, are fighting for every point to stay out of the bottom three. It's a clash of styles: Newcastle’s speed versus Wolves’ defensive grit.

Later in the day, Aston Villa hosts Everton. Villa Park will be rocking for this one. Aston Villa has been surprisingly consistent this year, hovering in the top four. Everton is currently in a "must-win" cycle as they scramble to avoid the relegation mire. It’s the kind of game that looks lopsided on paper but usually ends up being a 1-0 nail-biter.

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European Giants: Barcelona and AC Milan

If you prefer your football with a more "continental" flair, tomorrow has some massive fixtures in La Liga and Serie A.

La Liga (Spain)

• Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona: This is the big one in Spain. Barcelona is traveling to San Sebastián, which is notoriously one of the hardest places to play. Kickoff is at 10:00 PM local time (4:00 PM ET). Real Sociedad is fighting for a Champions League spot, and they love playing the spoiler against the big two.
• Atlético Madrid vs. Alavés: Diego Simeone’s squad is looking to bounce back. It’s at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, and you can expect the usual defensive wall from Atlético.

Serie A (Italy)

• AC Milan vs. Lecce: Milan needs this win to keep pressure on the top of the table. Playing at the San Siro is a daunting task for Lecce, who are currently sitting near the bottom of the league.
• Torino vs. Roma: A classic mid-table battle. Roma has been inconsistent under their current management, and Torino at home is never an easy out.

Why Tomorrow’s Schedule is Unique

Most people don't realize how much the schedule shifts this late in January. We are in the "crunch time" of the season.

In the NFL, there is no "next week" if you lose tomorrow. It is one-and-done. In Europe, the January transfer window is still open. You might see some new signings making their debuts or, conversely, players being left out of the squad because they are about to be sold.

Expert Tip: Watch the weather reports for the Bears-Rams game. Chicago in mid-January can turn a high-flying offense into a grinding, slow-paced struggle. If the wind is over 15 mph, the "under" on total points usually looks pretty good.

Other Notable Matches Around the World

If you’re a true completionist, here are the other leagues in action:

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1. German Bundesliga: VfB Stuttgart takes on Union Berlin. Both teams are known for their incredibly vocal fan bases. Also, FC Augsburg faces Freiburg.
2. French Ligue 1: Lyon vs. Brest is the highlight here. Lyon has been trying to reclaim its former glory, while Brest has been the "Cinderella story" of the last two seasons.
3. Africa Cup of Nations: A massive heavyweight clash between Senegal and Morocco is scheduled for tomorrow evening. This is basically a preview of what we might see in the later stages of the tournament.

Making the Most of Your Sunday

To really enjoy the day, you've gotta pace yourself. Start with the Premier League in the morning while you have your coffee. Use the mid-day gap (around noon ET) to grab some food or get some air before the New England-Houston game starts at 3:00.

By the time the Rams and Bears kick off at 6:30, you’ll be in the heart of the action.

Next Steps for the Savvy Fan:

• Check your local listings for ESPN+ and Peacock—several of tomorrow's games are exclusive to these streaming platforms.
• Monitor the injury report for the Chicago Bears; they have a few defensive backs on the bubble that could change how they handle the Rams' passing attack.
• If you're following the Spanish games, remember that Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona starts later than the NFL early game, so have two screens ready if possible.

Tomorrow is a gauntlet. Between the NFL playoffs and the top-tier European soccer, it's one of the best sports days of 2026 so far.