If you’re staring at your phone wondering what times is the football game today, you’re probably feeling that specific brand of January anxiety. It’s Friday, January 16, 2026. We are currently stuck in that weird "limbo" day. It is the Friday before the NFL Divisional Round, which means the pros are travel-ready and resting while we’re left checking our watches.
Honestly, the schedule is a bit of a tease today. If you are looking for the NFL, you have to wait until tomorrow. But if you're a fan of the global game—soccer, to most of us in the States—today is actually packed.
Let’s be real. Friday night football usually belongs to high schools or occasional college MAC-tion, but in mid-January, the vibe shifts. We are days away from the College Football Playoff National Championship between No. 10 Miami and No. 1 Indiana on Monday. Tonight is the appetizer. It's the "get the wings ready and check the betting lines" kind of day.
What Times Is The Football Game Today? The Global Slate
Since the NFL doesn't kick off its Divisional Round until Saturday, your Friday "football" fix is going to come from the pitch. European leagues don't take a breather just because American playoffs are heating up.
If you are looking for the big ones, PSG vs. Lille is the titan of the day in France's Ligue 1. That one usually kicks off around 3:00 PM ET. It’s a massive clash for the top of the table. Over in Germany, Werder Bremen vs. Eintracht Frankfurt is your Bundesliga choice, likely airing around 2:30 PM ET.
Here is how the afternoon looks for the domestic viewer:
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- Ligue 1 (France): Monaco vs. Lorient (Approx. 2:45 PM ET)
- Bundesliga (Germany): Werder Bremen vs. Eintracht Frankfurt (Approx. 2:30 PM ET)
- La Liga (Spain): Espanyol vs. Girona (Approx. 3:00 PM ET)
- Serie A (Italy): Pisa vs. Atalanta (Approx. 2:45 PM ET)
For the late-night crowd or the early birds, the Australian A-League is running. Melbourne City vs. Auckland happened earlier this morning, and Perth Glory vs. Brisbane Roar is wrapping up. Basically, if you have a subscription to a global sports streamer, there is a ball moving somewhere.
Why there are no NFL games today
NFL fans always get hopeful on Fridays. You've had a long week. You want to see the divisional matchups start. But the league is strict about the Friday blackout during this part of the season.
The NFL Divisional Round officially starts tomorrow, January 17. The league keeps Friday clear to allow for the massive logistical haul of moving teams like the 49ers up to Seattle or the Bills out to Denver.
Looking Ahead: The NFL Divisional Round Schedule
Since you’re already asking what times is the football game today, you probably want to set your alarms for tomorrow so you don't miss the real heavy hitters. The bracket is set, and the matchups are intense.
Saturday, January 17, 2026
The first game of the weekend features the Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 PM ET on CBS. This is a fascinating matchup because Denver has been playing lights-out defense at home.
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Later that night, we get the NFC rivalry. San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks starts at 8:15 PM ET on FOX. Lumen Field is going to be deafening. Seattle's Riq Woolen has been playing like a man possessed lately, and trying to stop the Niners' offense in that environment is going to be the highlight of the week.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
The Sunday slate is equally brutal. Houston Texans at New England Patriots kicks off at 3:00 PM ET on ESPN/ABC. Snow is actually in the forecast for Foxborough, which might negate some of Houston's speed.
The weekend closes with the Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears at 6:30 PM ET on NBC. This is the "Weather Bowl." We are looking at single-digit temperatures and winds gusting over 20 mph. If you’re playing fantasy or betting the over, you might want to reconsider. That kind of wind makes the passing game a nightmare for Caleb Williams and Matthew Stafford alike.
The College Football Finale
Don't forget about Monday. We are essentially 72 hours away from the CFP National Championship.
Monday, January 19, at 7:30 PM ET. No. 10 Miami vs. No. 1 Indiana.
This is being played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, so the Hurricanes have a de facto home-field advantage despite being the lower seed. Indiana has been the "Cinderella" that never turned into a pumpkin, and this is the biggest game in that program's history. Period.
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Making the Most of Friday's Schedule
So, while the answer to "what times is the football game today" in the NFL sense is "none," you aren't totally out of luck. Fridays are the best time to check your sportsbook apps or finalize your watch-party snacks.
If you are a hardcore fan, use today to catch up on the injury reports. Specifically, watch the status of the Seahawks' secondary and the weather updates for Chicago. Those two factors are going to decide who moves on to the Conference Championships.
Pro Tip: If you absolutely need a game on your TV tonight, the Scottish Cup and the Portuguese Liga are both in action. Sporting CP vs. Casa Pia is a solid watch if you appreciate technical play and tactical defense. It's not the NFL, but it beats watching reruns.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Sync your calendar: Mark 4:30 PM ET tomorrow for Bills/Broncos.
- Check the Chicago weather: If you have Rams or Bears players in a playoff league, the wind speeds projected for Sunday night are currently at 22 mph—high enough to kill the deep ball.
- Download a global score app: If you're watching the European games today, apps like FotMob or SofaScore will give you live alerts for the PSG/Lille match.