Friday nights in January are usually a weird, transitional space for sports fans. The holiday bowl season has officially evaporated, leaving college football addicts staring at a long wait for the spring game. Meanwhile, the NFL is currently a pressure cooker, but most of that steam doesn't blow until the weekend. If you are sitting on your couch wondering what tv channel is football on tonight, the answer depends entirely on how broad your definition of "football" is.
Honestly, if you're looking for an American tackle football game with a live scoreboard tonight, January 16, 2026, you're mostly out of luck. We are currently wedged in that quiet gap between the Wild Card round and the Divisional playoffs.
But don't toss the remote just yet. While the NFL is taking a breather tonight to prepare for tomorrow's Buffalo vs. Denver showdown, the rest of the world is playing at full tilt. From the high-stakes drama of French Ligue 1 to the tactical chess matches of the Bundesliga, there is plenty of grass-stained action if you know where to point the dish.
The NFL Gap: Why the Gridiron is Dark Tonight
It’s a bit of a bummer, but there is no NFL game tonight. The league typically avoids Friday nights like the plague to protect high school and college football viewership, though that rule gets bendy in December.
✨ Don't miss: Red Sox vs Yankees: What Most People Get Wrong About Baseball's Biggest Feud
Since we are deep in the postseason, the schedule is strict. We just finished a wild Monday night game where the Texans handled the Steelers, and the league is resetting for the Divisional Round. If you're looking for the NFL, you'll have to wait until tomorrow afternoon.
- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 PM ET on CBS)
- Saturday, Jan 17: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 PM ET on FOX)
If you see a "football" game listed on the NFL Network tonight, check the fine print. They usually run "NFL Replay" or classic games during this Friday lull. It's great for nostalgia, but it won't help your parlay.
What TV Channel Is Football On Tonight: The Soccer Slate
This is where the night gets interesting. For the "global football" fans, Friday is a feast. We've got some massive matchups across Europe and North America that are actually worth your time.
🔗 Read more: OU Football Depth Chart 2025: Why Most Fans Are Getting the Roster Wrong
Ligue 1: PSG vs. Lille
This is the big one. If you want high-octane stars, tune into beIN SPORTS or beIN SPORTS en Español at 3:00 PM ET. Paris Saint-Germain is taking on Lille. Even with the roster shifts we've seen lately, PSG remains the circus everyone wants to watch. If you don't have cable, you can usually catch this on Fubo or Fanatiz.
Bundesliga: Werder Bremen vs. Eintracht Frankfurt
For those who prefer the German style of play—fast, physical, and tactical—ESPN+ is your destination. Kickoff is at 2:30 PM ET. It’s a streaming-exclusive game, so don't go hunting through your channel guide for it.
Liga MX: Mazatlán FC vs. Monterrey
If you're a night owl or just getting home from work late, the Mexican league has you covered. Mazatlán faces Monterrey at 10:00 PM ET. You can find this on TUDN or stream it via Fubo and DirecTV Stream. Liga MX games are notoriously unpredictable and often more entertaining than the tactical slogs of Europe.
💡 You might also like: NL Rookie of the Year 2025: Why Drake Baldwin Actually Deserved the Hardware
Other Notable Matchups
- Spanish LaLiga: Espanyol vs. Girona (3:00 PM ET on ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes)
- Italian Serie A: Pisa vs. Atalanta (2:45 PM ET on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network)
- English Championship: West Bromwich Albion vs. Middlesbrough (3:00 PM ET on Paramount+)
College Football: The Post-Season Void
The College Football Playoff is currently in its final stages, but there isn't a game tonight. We are all essentially waiting for the National Championship clash between Indiana and Miami. That game is the "big one" on the horizon, but for tonight, the college stadiums are silent.
The Big Ten Network is mostly filling its airtime with "On The Ice" (hockey) and basketball replays. If you're a die-hard for your alma mater, you might find some "B1G Basketball in 60" blocks, but the shoulder pads are put away for the week.
How to Stream Tonight's Action
Since so much of tonight's football is happening on "the pitch" rather than "the gridiron," streaming is your best friend. Most of these games have migrated away from traditional broadcast towers.
- ESPN+: This is basically a requirement if you want the Bundesliga or LaLiga.
- Paramount+: This is where the Italian Serie A and English Championship games live. It’s also where you’ll want to be tomorrow for the Bills/Broncos game.
- Peacock: While they don't have a live match tonight, they are the exclusive home for several Premier League games coming up this weekend.
- Fubo/DirecTV Stream: These are the "catch-all" services. If a game is on beIN SPORTS or TUDN, these services are the easiest way to get them without a legacy cable contract.
Actionable Next Steps for Tonight
If you're still itching for a sports fix despite the lack of NFL tonight, here is how to handle your evening:
- Check your subscriptions: If you only have "standard" cable, your best bet is TUDN at 10:00 PM for the Liga MX match.
- Download the apps: If you want the PSG or Atalanta games, make sure your beIN or Paramount+ logins are active before kickoff.
- Set the DVR for tomorrow: Since there’s no NFL tonight, use this time to clear your DVR and set recordings for the Divisional Round tomorrow starting at 4:30 PM ET on CBS.
- Look for the "Golazo" Network: If you have a smart TV or Pluto TV, the CBS Sports Golazo Network is a free 24/7 soccer channel that often carries live matches or very recent high-level replays.
The "football" world is a lot bigger than just the NFL. While the pigskin is resting tonight, the round ball is moving across almost every continent. Grab a drink, pick a league you've never watched before, and enjoy the Friday night lights—even if they look a little different than usual.