If you woke up today with that specific itch that only a massive slate of Saturday sports can scratch, you're in the right place. It is Saturday, January 17, 2026, and honestly, the schedule is a beast. We aren't just talking about a couple of random matchups; we are deep in the trenches of the NFL playoffs, the heart of the NBA and NHL regular seasons, and a college basketball calendar that is basically a 12-hour marathon of chaos.
Finding out what time are the games today shouldn't feel like a part-time job. I’ve gone through the schedules so you don't have to spend your morning refreshing five different apps. Whether you're looking for the kickoff at Mile High or wondering when the puck drops in Philly, here is the real-time breakdown.
The Big One: NFL Divisional Round Saturday
The postseason is where legends are made, or at least where my couch gets a serious workout. Today marks the start of the Divisional Round, and the NFL has gifted us two massive games.
First up, at 4:30 PM ET, the Buffalo Bills travel to face the Denver Broncos. This one is huge. Denver earned that #1 seed and the subsequent bye, but the Bills are coming in hot. You can catch this on CBS or stream it on Paramount+. It's going to be cold in Denver, but that’s playoff football for you.
Once that wraps up, the nightcap stays out West. At 8:00 PM ET, we get an NFC West rivalry that never fails to deliver: the San Francisco 49ers at the Seattle Seahawks. This game is on FOX. Seattle secured the top seed in the NFC, and Lumen Field is going to be deafening. If you’re a fan of physical, grind-it-out football, this is your Super Bowl before the Super Bowl.
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What Time Are the Games Today in the NBA?
Basketball fans, you have a nine-game slate today. It’s one of those Saturdays where the league spaces things out nicely, starting in the late afternoon and running until your West Coast friends are the only ones left awake.
- 5:00 PM ET: The Utah Jazz face the Dallas Mavericks. Dallas is the heavy favorite here, with a win probability sitting around 67% according to the latest lines.
- 7:30 PM ET: A massive window here. You've got the Phoenix Suns at the New York Knicks (Madison Square Garden is always a vibe on Saturday nights), the Detroit Pistons hosting the Indiana Pacers, and the Boston Celtics traveling to Atlanta to take on the Hawks.
- 8:00 PM ET: The Minnesota Timberwolves visit the San Antonio Spurs, and the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Miami Heat.
- 8:30 PM ET: Charlotte is at Golden State.
- 9:00 PM ET: The Washington Wizards head to the altitude to face the Denver Nuggets.
- 10:00 PM ET: The night ends with the Los Angeles Lakers at the Portland Trail Blazers.
Basically, if you have League Pass, your remote is going to be busy.
NHL Saturday: Puck Drops and Rivalries
Hockey doesn't do "quiet Saturdays." The NHL schedule today is packed with matinees and primetime showdowns.
It starts early. At 12:30 PM ET, the Buffalo Sabres host the Minnesota Wild. Right after that, at 1:00 PM ET, the Philadelphia Flyers take on the New York Rangers in what usually ends up being a very loud, very intense physical battle.
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The afternoon keeps rolling with the Calgary Flames against the New York Islanders at 3:00 PM ET, followed by the Utah Mammoth (it still feels cool saying that name) taking on the Seattle Kraken at 5:00 PM ET.
For the night owls or Canadian hockey purists, the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens face off at 7:00 PM ET, the same time the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Finally, the Edmonton Oilers take on the Vancouver Canucks at 10:00 PM ET on ESPN+.
College Basketball: A Saturday Marathon
If you’re wondering what time are the games today for NCAA hoops, the answer is "basically every hour." The Big East and Big Ten are dominating the early windows.
Noon ET Starts:
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- UConn at Georgetown
- Kentucky at Tennessee
- Illinois vs. Minnesota
- Seton Hall vs. Butler
One of the biggest games of the day tips off at 1:00 PM ET when UCLA visits Ohio State on CBS. This is a massive Big Ten clash with both teams fighting for tournament positioning.
The evening doesn't slow down. At 8:00 PM ET, you’ve got St. John's visiting Villanova on Peacock. This is a pick'em game, essentially, with Villanova being a slight favorite at home.
Pro Tips for Watching
Managing this much sports at once is an art form. Honestly, the best way to handle it is to prioritize the NFL games since they are single-elimination. If you have a multi-view setup (like on YouTube TV or Fubo), the 4:30 PM NFL window overlaps perfectly with the end of the UCLA/Ohio State game and the start of the NBA's early slate.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Sync your DVR: If you’re going to be out for the afternoon, set it for the Bills/Broncos game now; playoff games frequently run over the 3-hour mark.
- Check local listings: While most big games are on CBS or FOX, a lot of the college and NHL matchups are tucked away on ESPN+, Peacock, or regional networks.
- Place your bets early: If you're looking at the Suns/Knicks or the Bills game, lines have been moving all morning. Lock in those numbers before the pre-game hype shifts them further.
There is no "off" switch today. From the first tip-off at noon to the final whistle in Portland around 12:30 AM, you're looking at over 12 hours of elite competition.