If you’re staring at your remote right now wondering what time is monday night football tonight on tv, you might be in for a bit of a surprise. It's January 19, 2026. Usually, this is the prime window for NFL Wild Card action. But the schedule makers threw a bit of a curveball this year.
The NFL actually wrapped up its Monday night postseason commitments last week. On January 12, we saw the Houston Texans dismantle the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 to close out the Wild Card round. That was the official "Monday Night Football" finale for the 2025-26 season.
Tonight? The lights are still on, but the ball is different.
The Big Pivot: It’s Championship Monday
While the NFL is currently in a brief lull between the Divisional Round and the Conference Championships, football hasn't left the building. Instead of the pros, tonight is all about the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship.
If you were looking for an NFL game, you’re out of luck. However, if you want high-stakes football, the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers are taking on the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes.
Kickoff and Channel Details
The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT).
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You can find the main broadcast on ESPN. If you’re the kind of person who likes a hundred different camera angles or Al Michaels-style commentary replaced by a bunch of coaches in a room, ESPN is running its "MegaCast." Basically, that means you can find the game on:
- ESPN2 (Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show)
- ESPNU (Coaches Film Room)
- ESPNEWS
- ACC Network (Homers broadcast for Miami fans)
Why is there no NFL game tonight?
Honestly, it comes down to television real estate. The NFL and the CFP generally try to avoid stepping on each other's toes when it comes to the biggest game of the year.
The NFL Divisional Round actually played out over the last 48 hours. We saw the Buffalo Bills take on the Denver Broncos and the 49ers face the Seahawks on Saturday, followed by the Texans/Patriots and Rams/Bears yesterday.
The league intentionally leaves this Monday clear for the college kids. It’s a gentleman’s agreement, or maybe just a cold-blooded business move to ensure neither broadcast bleeds viewers to the other.
The NFL Playoff Gap
You’ve got a few days to breathe. The NFL won't be back on your screen until next Sunday, January 25, for the AFC and NFC Championship games.
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- AFC Championship: 3:05 p.m. ET on CBS.
- NFC Championship: 6:40 p.m. ET on FOX.
What happened to the Monday Night Football crew?
Don't worry about Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. They aren't unemployed; they're just resting their voices. Since the Texans vs. Steelers game on January 12 was the final Monday game of the season, the MNF brand is officially hibernating until the 2026 preseason starts up in August.
Interestingly, even though the NFL is off tonight, the "Monday Night Football" slot has become a bit of a cultural anchor. People expect a game. It's why the CFP National Championship has permanently moved to this Monday night window. It captures that "end of the weekend" energy when everyone is finally home and ready to sit on the couch.
Breaking down the Indiana vs. Miami matchup
Since this is the only game in town, you might as well know who you’re watching.
Indiana is 15-0. Yes, the basketball school. Coach Curt Cignetti has turned them into a juggernaut that wins by an average of 28 points. They destroyed Oregon in the semifinals.
Miami, on the other hand, is the ultimate underdog story of the 12-team playoff era. They came in as the No. 10 seed and have basically lived on the edge of a knife for three weeks. They’ve got a defense that has racked up nearly 50 sacks this season.
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If you’re a fan of the NFL's Monday night atmosphere, this game usually delivers the same vibe. The pageantry is dialed up to eleven. Jamal Roberts, the latest American Idol winner, is doing the anthem, and there’s even a flyover planned from the U.S. Coast Guard.
How to watch without cable
If you’ve cut the cord and are frantically searching for a stream, you have options. Since the game is on ESPN, you can use:
- FuboTV (They usually have a free trial if you're desperate)
- Hulu + Live TV
- YouTube TV
- Sling TV (Orange package includes ESPN)
For the "tech-forward" crowd, the ESPN app will have every single MegaCast feed available, provided you can authenticate with a provider login.
What’s next for your football calendar?
The NFL returns in six days.
The winners of the games on January 25 will head to Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX on February 8. That game will air on NBC at 6:30 p.m. ET.
For tonight, grab some wings and accept that the pros are off. The college game might not have the same jersey names you're used to, but with Indiana trying to complete a perfect season against a resurgent Miami, it’s probably better than most of the mid-season NFL Monday night blowouts we sat through in October.
Next Steps for Tonight:
- Check your local listings for ESPN starting at 7:00 p.m. ET for the pregame show.
- If you prefer a more casual "ManningCast" vibe, flip over to ESPN2 for Pat McAfee's Field Pass coverage.
- Keep an eye on the weather in Miami; it’s currently clear, but the humidity at Hard Rock Stadium always plays a factor in late-game fatigue for these teams.