If you woke up wondering what time is Notre Dame on today, you aren't alone. It’s Saturday, January 17, 2026, and for Irish fans, the calendar is looking pretty packed. We aren't in football season anymore—obviously—but South Bend is busy. Between the hardwood and the ice, there’s a lot to keep track of if you're trying to plan your afternoon around the TV.
Honestly, tracking down start times for college sports can be a headache. Between the ACC Network, Peacock, and random regional broadcasts, it’s easy to miss tip-off.
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The Main Event: Notre Dame Basketball at Virginia Tech
The big headline for today is the men's basketball team. They are hitting the road to face off against Virginia Tech at the Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg. If you were looking for a primetime evening slot, I’ve got some bad news for you.
What time is Notre Dame on today for basketball? The game tipped off at 12:00 PM ET.
It’s an early one. If you’re reading this and it’s already mid-afternoon, you might be looking for a recap rather than a live stream. The game was broadcast on the ACC Network (ACCN). This is a tough road test for Micah Shrewsberry’s squad, especially with the Hokies playing in front of that rowdy Blacksburg crowd.
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- Opponent: Virginia Tech Hokies
- Time: 12:00 PM ET (Noon)
- Channel: ACC Network
- Location: Blacksburg, VA
The Irish have been leaning heavily on Markus Burton this season. He’s been the engine of the offense, but winning on the road in the ACC requires more than just one star performing. You need the bench to show up, and you definitely need to limit those second-chance points that Virginia Tech is so good at grabbing.
Saturday Night Ice: Notre Dame vs. Penn State Hockey
If you missed the noon basketball tip-off, don’t sweat it. You’ve still got some Irish action tonight. The Notre Dame hockey team is out in State College taking on Penn State.
Hockey fans know that a series against the Nittany Lions is always a physical, high-speed affair. This is the second game of a back-to-back series. After a tough battle on Friday night, the Irish are looking to close out the weekend with a statement win at the Pegula Ice Arena.
The puck drops at 8:00 PM ET. This game isn't on traditional cable for most people. You’re going to want to check your streaming apps. Often, these Big Ten matchups end up on Big Ten Plus (B1G+) or sometimes the Big Ten Network, though tonight’s slot is primarily a radio and streaming focus for the South Bend faithful. If you can't find a stream, the live radio broadcast is always a solid backup—there's something classic about listening to Irish hockey on the airwaves.
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Other Irish Sports Action Today
It isn't just about the "big" two. Notre Dame has several other programs in action this Saturday, January 17.
- Track and Field: The team is in Ann Arbor for the Simmons-Harvey Invitational. Events have been running since about 11:00 AM ET.
- Fencing: The Irish are competing in the St. John’s Super Cup out in Queens, NY. This is an all-day event, so there isn't one specific "start time," but rather a series of bouts throughout the afternoon.
- Men's Glee Club: Kinda random, but if you’re actually on campus in South Bend, the Notre Dame and Ohio State Men's Glee Clubs are performing a joint concert at the Leighton Concert Hall at 7:30 PM.
How to Watch and Listen
Keeping up with the Irish in 2026 requires a bit of a digital toolkit. Here is the basically essential list of where to find the games:
- The Varsity Network App: This is the best way to catch the radio calls for free. If you're driving or just don't want to pay for a dozen streaming services, download this.
- ESPN+ / ACC Network Extra: Most of the "non-televised" home games for Olympic sports (soccer, volleyball, etc.) live here.
- The Fighting Irish App: It’s actually pretty decent for live stats and score updates if you’re stuck at a wedding or something and can't watch.
What to Watch For
When you look at what time is Notre Dame on today, you also have to look at the "why." For the basketball team, this January stretch is make-or-break for any postseason aspirations. The ACC is top-heavy this year, and stealing a win in Blacksburg would be huge for the resume.
On the ice, the Irish are trying to find consistency. The Big Ten is a gauntlet this season. Every point in the standings matters when you're fighting for a spot in the NCAA tournament. Penn State's high-volume shooting style is a massive test for the Irish goaltending and defensive structure.
Actionable Tips for Game Day
If you're planning to catch the rest of the action today, here’s what you should do:
- Check the Radio: If the hockey game isn't on your TV package, tune into the Notre Dame Radio Network. The commentary is usually top-tier and more biased (in a fun way) than the national broadcasts.
- Sync Your Calendar: Go to the official Fighting Irish website and use their "Add to Calendar" feature. It’ll automatically update your phone with game times and broadcast channels so you never have to Google this at the last minute again.
- Watch the Standings: Keep an eye on the live ACC scores. Since the Irish played at noon, the results of the later games (like Duke or UNC) will directly impact where Notre Dame sits in the conference standings by the end of the night.
Notre Dame sports aren't just about football Saturdays in the fall. Today is a perfect example of how the winter season can be just as intense, provided you know which channel to turn to and when.