If you’re staring at your phone trying to figure out what time is the tennessee game, you aren’t alone. Being a Vols fan in 2026 means keeping track of about five different schedules at once. Between Rick Barnes' squad grinding through the SEC gauntlet and the Lady Vols looking like absolute contenders, there is almost always a whistle blowing somewhere in Knoxville.
Let's cut to the chase.
The Next Big One: Tennessee vs. Kentucky (January 17, 2026)
The biggest date on the immediate calendar is Saturday, January 17, 2026.
The No. 24 ranked Tennessee Volunteers are hosting the Kentucky Wildcats at the Food City Center. This isn't just another game; it's a "throw the records out the window" kind of afternoon.
- Tip-off Time: 12:00 PM EST (High noon in Knoxville).
- Where to Watch: ESPN.
- Location: Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center.
Honestly, if you haven't secured a seat yet, good luck. These rivalry games are basically the hottest ticket in town right now. The Vols are coming off a wild double-overtime win against Texas A&M where Nate Ament dropped 23 points. That momentum is real.
Looking Ahead: The January Road Trip
After Kentucky, the schedule doesn't get any easier. If you're planning your watch parties for the rest of the month, here is the breakdown of the upcoming men's basketball games.
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Saturday, January 24, 2026
The Vols head down to Tuscaloosa to face Alabama.
Tip-off: 8:30 PM EST.
This is a late one. Expect a hostile environment at Coleman Coliseum. You’ll find this one on ESPN or ESPN2.
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
The team travels to Athens to play the Georgia Bulldogs.
Tip-off: 7:00 PM EST.
Catch it on the SEC Network.
Saturday, January 31, 2026
Tennessee returns home to host Auburn.
Tip-off: 8:30 PM EST.
Another primetime slot on ESPN.
What About the Lady Vols?
Kim Caldwell’s Lady Vols are on an absolute tear. They just dismantled Arkansas 85-50, and they look like they’ve found that classic Tennessee defensive identity.
They are off today (Thursday, Jan 15), but their next game is a big road test. Mark your calendar for Sunday, January 18, 2026. They are playing Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
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The game is set for 2:00 PM EST.
It’s kind of a weird weekend where both the men’s and women’s teams are dealing with the Tide, just on different days. If you’re a multi-sport fan, it’s basically a full weekend of "Rocky Top" on repeat.
A Quick Note on Other "Tennessee" Games
Sometimes people search for what time is the tennessee game and they aren't actually looking for the Big Orange. There are a few other local matchups happening right now that might be on your radar.
- Tennessee Tech: They are playing Southern Indiana tonight, Thursday, Jan 15, at 8:30 PM EST in Cookeville.
- Middle Tennessee State (MTSU): The Lady Raiders are playing Louisiana Tech tonight at 7:30 PM EST.
- UT Martin: Their women's team is hosting SIUE tonight at 6:30 PM EST.
Why the Times Keep Shifting
We’ve all been there—you check the app at 10 AM, it says noon, then you check again and there’s a delay. Television networks like ESPN and the SEC Network basically run the show.
While the 12:00 PM start for the Kentucky game is solid, always keep an eye on the game preceding it. If an earlier matchup goes into triple overtime, that noon tip-off might slide to 12:15 or 12:20. It's just the nature of live sports.
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Also, keep in mind the time zone difference. Knoxville is on Eastern Time. If you’re watching from Memphis or Nashville, you’re an hour behind. That 12:00 PM tip is 11:00 AM Central. Don't be the person who shows up to the bar when the game is already at halftime.
Actionable Steps for Vols Fans
If you want to make sure you never miss a tip-off again, here is what you should actually do:
- Download the Tennessee Athletics App: It’s the most reliable way to get "official" time changes.
- Sync to Calendar: Most team websites (UTSports.com) have a "Sync Schedule" button that puts every game directly into your phone’s calendar with alerts.
- Check the "Vol Network" Radio: Sometimes the TV broadcast is blacked out or delayed, but the radio call with Bob Kesling is always live and local.
The energy around the program right now is some of the best we've seen in years. Whether you're heading to the Food City Center or just hovering over the snacks in your living room, being ready for that noon tip-off on Saturday is priority number one.
Go Vols.