You're standing in the middle of a crowded H-E-B, staring at the chip aisle, and it hits you. You have no idea if you have ten minutes or two hours before kickoff. We've all been there. Trying to figure out what time does the ut game start can sometimes feel like solving a riddle, especially with the University of Texas now navigating the SEC landscape where TV networks flex game times like they’re at a bodybuilding competition.
If you're looking for today, Friday, January 16, 2026, the "UT game" depends entirely on which Longhorn squad you're following. While football season just wrapped up with a massive 41-27 win over Michigan in the Citrus Bowl on New Year's Eve, the winter sports season is in full throttle.
The Quick Answer for Today’s Events
Honestly, today is a busy one for the Burnt Orange. If you are looking for the Men's or Women's Swimming and Diving teams, they are competing today, January 16. The Track & Field team is also active in the Leonard Hilton Memorial over in Houston.
However, most fans asking about the start time right now are likely prepping for the massive basketball showdowns happening this weekend.
- Men’s Basketball: The Longhorns are prepping to host Texas A&M at the Moody Center. That game tips off tomorrow, Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 5:00 PM CT.
- Women’s Basketball: If you were looking for the women's game against South Carolina, that actually just went down on January 15. It was a heartbreaker, a 68-65 loss to the Gamecocks. Their next big home game at the Moody Center is against the Aggies on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 3:00 PM CT.
Why UT Game Times Keep Changing
It’s frustrating. You plan a brisket smoke around an 11:00 AM kickoff, and suddenly the game is moved to the night slot. This happens because of the SEC's "flex" scheduling. Basically, the networks (usually ABC or ESPN) wait until about six to twelve days before a game to lock in the time. They want the best matchups in the primetime slots to maximize ratings.
For basketball, the windows are a bit more stable, but you still see shifts based on whether the game is being carried by the SEC Network, ESPN2, or a streaming platform like SEC Network+.
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Understanding the Venue Impact
Where the game is played matters for your watch party timing.
- Home Games (Moody Center or DKR): These are always listed in Central Time (CT).
- Away Games: If the Longhorns are playing at South Carolina or Tennessee, the local time will be Eastern. Don't let that hour difference mess up your schedule.
- Neutral Sites: The Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl is almost always a mid-morning or early afternoon affair, but even that isn't set in stone until the networks weigh in.
How to Get the Exact Start Time Every Time
Don't trust a random social media post from three weeks ago. Schedules change.
The most reliable way to check what time does the ut game start is to use the official Texas Athletics "Composite Schedule." It's a live-updated list of every single sport, from tennis to football. If a game time gets moved by 15 minutes due to a TV delay, that’s where you’ll see it first.
Another pro tip? Download the "Texas Longhorns" mobile app. You can set it to send you a push notification exactly one hour before tip-off or kickoff. It's a lifesaver when you're busy and lose track of the afternoon.
What Most Fans Get Wrong About Start Times
There is a big difference between "coverage starts" and the "actual start."
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If ESPN says the game starts at 6:00 PM, the ball usually won't be in the air until 6:10 or 6:15 PM. They spend those first few minutes on intros, national anthems, and commercials. If you're heading to the Moody Center, you want to be in your seat at least 30 minutes before the listed time if you want to see the light show and the team introductions.
For football at DKR, if you aren't in your seat 20 minutes before kickoff, you're going to miss the "Eyes of Texas" and the team running out behind Bevo. Trust me, it’s worth being early for.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Football Schedule
Since the 2025 season is in the rearview mirror, fans are already looking at the 2026 slate. The schedule is out, though the specific times won't be known for months.
- Sept 5: vs. Texas State (Home)
- Sept 12: vs. Ohio State (Home - This will be a massive ticket)
- Sept 19: vs. UTSA (Home)
- Sept 26: at Tennessee (Away)
Expect that Ohio State game to be a night game, likely a 6:30 PM or 7:00 PM CT start, simply because of the national interest.
Actionable Next Steps
To make sure you never miss a beat, sync the Longhorn calendar to your phone. You can go to the official Texas Athletics website, navigate to the schedule, and look for the "Sync to Calendar" button. This automatically updates your Google or Apple calendar whenever a time is finalized by the SEC.
If you are planning to attend the game tomorrow against A&M, remember that traffic around Robert Dedman Drive gets heavy about two hours before tip-off. Plan to arrive early, grab some food at the fan plaza, and enjoy the atmosphere.
Stay updated by checking the official Texas Longhorns Schedule regularly, especially on Thursday or Friday of game week.