If you're waking up in Knoxville or scrolling through your phone in Nashville asking what time does tennessee football play today, you’re probably feeling that familiar Saturday morning itch for some Rocky Top. You want to see the orange and white. You want to hear the roar of Neyland.
But honestly? You might want to put the charcoal away for a second.
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Today is Saturday, January 17, 2026. If you were looking for a kickoff time for the Tennessee Volunteers football team today, here is the cold, hard truth: The Tennessee Volunteers are not playing a football game today. I know, it's a bummer. After the way the season went—ending with that tough 30-28 loss to Illinois in the Music City Bowl back on December 30th—we're all kind of desperate for more football. But the 2025 season is officially in the rearview mirror, and the 2026 season hasn't started yet.
However, just because there isn't a game on TV doesn't mean there isn't a ton happening with Tennessee football right now. In fact, today is a massive day for the future of the program.
Why There Is No Game Today (and What’s Happening Instead)
The college football calendar is a weird beast. By mid-January, almost everyone is done. The only teams still practicing are the ones heading to the National Championship (which is happening this Monday, January 19th, between Miami and Indiana).
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Since Tennessee didn't make the College Football Playoff this year, the pads are off. But if you’re looking for a "win" today, look toward San Antonio.
Today, January 17, is the Navy All-American Bowl. While it’s not a "Tennessee game," six of our incoming freshmen—the #RockyTop26 class—are playing in it.
- Time: 1:00 PM ET
- How to Watch: NBC and Peacock
Basically, if you want to see the future stars who will be playing in Neyland Stadium this fall, this is your game. Keep an eye out for five-star wideout Caleb Keys. He’s the top-ranked receiver in the country and he’s been absolutely shredding defenders in practice all week in Texas.
The 2026 Tennessee Football Schedule: Mark Your Calendars
Since you’re already looking for game times, you might as well get the real dates on your calendar so you don't get caught off guard next time. The SEC recently dropped the 2026 schedule, and it is a gauntlet. We are moving to a nine-game conference schedule, which means things are about to get intense.
Here is what the start of the 2026 season looks like:
- September 5: vs. Furman (The Home Opener)
- September 12: at Georgia Tech (Road trip to Atlanta!)
- September 19: vs. Kennesaw State
- September 26: vs. Texas (The SEC Opener)
That September 26th game against Texas is going to be insane. It’s the first time the Longhorns have ever played in Neyland Stadium during the regular season. If you think the ticket prices for the Alabama game are high, just wait for this one.
Misconceptions About Today's Schedule
It's easy to get confused with the "Tennessee" name today because other Vols are actually in action. If you saw a headline about a "Tennessee" game time, it was likely referring to one of these:
- Men's Basketball: The #Vols are playing Kentucky today at 12:00 PM ET. It’s a home game in Knoxville at Thompson-Boling Arena. This is probably where the confusion is coming from!
- Tennessee State: The Tigers are playing Southern Indiana at 4:30 PM ET.
- Middle Tennessee: The Blue Raiders are taking on Missouri State at 5:00 PM ET.
What’s Next for the Football Team?
Even though they aren't playing today, the grind doesn't stop. The spring semester starts this Tuesday, January 20th. That’s when all those freshmen playing in the All-American Bowl today will officially move into their dorms in Knoxville.
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Winter workouts start shortly after. This is where the 2026 season is actually won—in the weight room under the eyes of Josh Heupel and his staff. We’ve got some big holes to fill, especially with edge rushers like Jordan Ross and Caleb Herring hitting the transfer portal recently.
Actionable Next Steps for Vols Fans:
- Tune in to NBC at 1:00 PM ET today to watch the Navy All-American Bowl. It’s the closest thing to a Tennessee football game you’ll get until September.
- Switch over to ESPN/ABC at Noon to catch the basketball team taking on Kentucky. It’s a huge rivalry game and will definitely scratch that itch for some orange-and-white competition.
- Check your Vol Pass status. If you’re planning on going to the Texas or Alabama games this fall, you need to start looking at tickets or season ticket renewals now because 2026 is going to be a record-breaking year for attendance.
The wait for the 2026 season opener on September 5th against Furman feels long, but the pieces of that puzzle are being put together today in San Antonio and Knoxville.