Finding out exactly when do wi badgers play next shouldn't feel like a scavenger hunt. Honestly, with the way the Big Ten expands and game times flex for TV, keeping track of the Madison sports calendar is a full-time job. Whether you're looking for the men’s basketball team coming off that massive upset at Michigan or the top-ranked women’s hockey squad, the schedule is packed.
Let's cut right to it.
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When do wi badgers play next: The Immediate Schedule
If you are looking for the very next time a major Wisconsin team takes the field, ice, or court, here is the immediate slate for mid-January 2026.
The Men’s Hockey team is arguably the hottest ticket in town right now. They are currently ranked No. 2 in the nation and have a massive top-four showdown against No. 4 Michigan State. That series kicks off at the Kohl Center on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 8:00 PM. If you can't make it to the Kohl Center, you'll want to find a TV with the Big Ten Network. They play the Spartans again the very next night, Friday, January 16, at 7:00 PM.
For the hoop heads, the Women’s Basketball team is on the road. They are facing Northwestern in Evanston on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 7:00 PM. They’ve had a rough patch lately, dropping games to Purdue and Michigan, so this road trip is basically a "must-win" to get some momentum back before they return home to host Oregon on Sunday.
The Men’s Basketball team has a bit of a breather after John Blackwell’s heroic buzzer-beater against Minnesota on Tuesday. They don't play again until Saturday, January 17, 2026, when they host Rutgers at the Kohl Center. Tip-off is set for 1:00 PM. Rutgers is coming in hungry after a road trip through the "frozen Midwest," but the Badgers are flying high after that 91-88 win in Ann Arbor.
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Major Upcoming Matchups (January 2026)
- Wrestling: No. 18 Wisconsin vs. Northwestern – Friday, Jan. 16 at 7:00 PM (UW Field House).
- Men’s Basketball: vs. Rutgers – Saturday, Jan. 17 at 1:00 PM (Big Ten Network).
- Women’s Basketball: vs. Oregon – Sunday, Jan. 18 at 3:00 PM (Kohl Center).
- Men’s Hockey: vs. Penn State – Friday, Jan. 23 at 7:00 PM (Kohl Center).
The State of Badger Basketball
It's been a wild ride for the men's team this season. Everyone was talking about that Michigan game. Honestly, going into the Crisler Center and putting up 91 points isn't something many teams do. Nick Boyd and John Blackwell have turned into a terrifying backcourt duo. Boyd dropped 26 on the Wolverines, and Blackwell followed it up with that ice-cold buzzer-beater to sink the Gophers.
When you ask when do wi badgers play next, you're usually looking for the Rutgers game this Saturday. The Scarlet Knights have a tough defense, but the Badgers' offense is finally clicking, shooting nearly 50% from the field lately. If they can keep this up, they’ll be moving up from the "receiving votes" category into the Top 25 very quickly.
On the women’s side, things are a bit more "kinda stressful." They’ve shown flashes of brilliance, but the Big Ten is a gauntlet this year. Facing Northwestern tonight (Jan 15) is a chance to reset. Keep an eye on the Oregon game on Sunday—it’s one of those "marker" games that shows where the program is actually headed.
Ice Hockey: A National Title Hunt?
The men’s hockey team under Mike Hastings is simply different. They are ranked No. 2 for a reason. This weekend's series against Michigan State (Jan 15-16) is essentially a preview of a potential Frozen Four matchup. The Spartans are ranked No. 4, making this a rare top-five clash in Madison.
If you’re wondering about the Women’s Hockey team, they are currently sitting at No. 1 in the polls. They are preparing for a series against St. Thomas. This program has become so dominant that a "down year" for them is still making the national semifinals. Check the local listings for their games on B1G+, as they often get flexed depending on what the basketball teams are doing.
Looking Ahead: 2026 Football Schedule
I know, it’s January. It’s freezing outside. But people are already asking about the 2026 football season because the schedule just had a major shakeup.
Wisconsin recently canceled their 2026 game against Pitt. Instead, they added Eastern Michigan for September 19. If you’re planning your travel for the fall, the season opener is a weird one: they play Notre Dame at Lambeau Field in Green Bay on Sunday, September 6, 2026.
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The rest of the home slate for the fall includes:
- Western Illinois (Sept 12)
- Eastern Michigan (Sept 19)
- Michigan State (TBA)
- Minnesota (TBA - The Battle for the Axe)
- USC (TBA)
How to Actually Watch the Games
Gone are the days when every game was on one channel. It’s a mess. Basically, if the Badgers are playing, you’ll need a mix of:
- Big Ten Network (BTN): This is where the Rutgers men's basketball game will be this Saturday.
- B1G+: This is the streaming service. You'll need this for a lot of the hockey games and wrestling duals.
- Fox/FS1: Occasionally used for high-profile basketball and hockey.
- Peacock: Expect at least one or two more basketball games to migrate here this season.
If you're in Madison, nothing beats the atmosphere at the Kohl Center or the Field House. Tickets for the Rutgers game are still hovering around the $25-$30 mark on the secondary market, which is a steal considering how well this team is playing right now.
Actionable Steps for Badger Fans
- Download the Badgers App: It’s the most reliable way to see live stat updates, especially for "non-TV" sports like swimming or tennis.
- Sync the Calendar: You can go to the official UW Athletics site and download the "Add to Calendar" file. It’ll put every tip-off and puck drop directly onto your phone so you never have to Google "when do wi badgers play next" again.
- Check the Weather: If you're heading to the Kohl Center this weekend, remember that Madison is expecting some light snow. Give yourself an extra 20 minutes for parking near the Southeast side.
- Grab Tickets Early: For the Michigan State hockey series, tickets are nearly sold out. If you’re looking for the Penn State series on Jan 23-24, buy them now before the "20 Years of the '06 Championship" ceremony drives up the prices.
The Badgers are in a rare spot where almost every major program—men’s and women’s—is competitive at a national level simultaneously. Enjoy the ride, wear red, and keep an eye on those mid-week flex schedules.