So, you're looking for the Cougar game. Honestly, if you're a BYU fan, Friday nights in January usually mean one of two things: you're either at the Smith Fieldhouse or you're refreshing a live stats page while trying to figure out which streaming service actually has the broadcast rights this week.
If you are asking when does BYU play today, specifically for Friday, January 16, 2026, the answer depends entirely on which jersey you’re looking for. We don't have a football game—obviously, it's January—and the ranked men's basketball team is currently traveling to Lubbock for a massive Big 12 showdown tomorrow. But that doesn't mean Provo is quiet.
The Big Matchups for Friday, January 16
Tonight is a huge night for Olympic sports and volleyball fans. If you want to see a live game, you have two primary options on the home front in Provo.
Men’s Volleyball: No. 11 BYU vs. UC San Diego
The heavy hitter tonight is the men’s volleyball team. They are hosting UC San Diego at the Smith Fieldhouse.
- Time: 7:00 PM MST.
- Location: Smith Fieldhouse, Provo, UT.
- How to Watch: BYUtv or the BYUtv app.
This is the first of a back-to-back series against the Tritons. The Smith Fieldhouse is legendary for its atmosphere—it's loud, it's tight, and the "ROAR" is very real. If you haven't been to a volleyball match lately, the speed of the game in 2026 is just insane.
Women’s Gymnastics: BYU vs. Boise State
If gymnastics is more your speed, the "Gym-Cats" are back in action. They are taking on Boise State tonight.
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- Time: 7:00 PM MST.
- Location: Marriott Center, Provo, UT.
- How to Watch: ESPN+.
Gymnastics meets in the Marriott Center are surprisingly high-energy. It’s a dual meet against a solid Boise State squad, and BYU has been leaning heavily on their depth in the floor exercise this season.
Tracking the Cougars on the Road
It isn't just about what's happening in Provo. Several BYU teams are currently away competing in multi-day events.
The Track and Field teams (both men and women) are up in Pocatello, Idaho, for the Snake River Open. These meets are usually "all-day" affairs, starting early in the morning and running through the evening. Don't expect a specific "kickoff" time here; it’s a rolling schedule of heats and field events.
Meanwhile, the Swimming and Diving teams are competing in the Big 12 Duel in the West. This is a neutral/away meet depending on the specific bracket, and times for these are often listed as "TBA" because they depend on the results of the morning sessions.
Wait, What About Basketball?
I get it. Most people asking when does BYU play today are looking for Kevin Young’s crew.
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The No. 11 ranked BYU men’s basketball team does not play today, Friday. They played TCU earlier this week (a tough 76-70 win) and are now preparing for a massive game tomorrow, Saturday, January 17, against No. 15 Texas Tech. That game tips off at 7:00 PM EST (5:00 PM MST) on ESPN.
The women's basketball team is in a similar boat. They are coming off a win against Houston and will be back at the Marriott Center tomorrow, Saturday, to face Baylor at 2:00 PM MST.
Making Sense of the 2026 Big 12 Schedule
Since BYU joined the Big 12, the schedule has become a bit of a maze. You used to be able to count on "Big Monday" or Saturday afternoon games, but now with the 20-game conference schedule, games are scattered all over the week.
If you're planning your weekend, here is a quick look at the immediate horizon:
- Friday (Today): Men's Volleyball vs. UC San Diego (7:00 PM) & Gymnastics vs. Boise State (7:00 PM).
- Saturday: Men's Basketball at Texas Tech (5:00 PM MST) & Women's Basketball vs. Baylor (2:00 PM MST).
- Saturday Night: Men's Volleyball vs. UC San Diego (Game 2) at 7:00 PM MST.
Why Times Sometimes Shift
Keep an eye on the "MST" vs "EST" labels. Because BYU plays in a conference that spans three time zones, a "7:00 PM" tip-off in Florida or West Virginia means you’re looking for the game at 5:00 PM in Utah. It's annoying. We've all missed the first half of a game because of the time zone math.
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Also, the Big 12's deal with ESPN and FOX means that some games are flexed. While today's volleyball and gymnastics times are locked in, always double-check the BYU Cougars official app about two hours before a game starts just in case a broadcast window moved things by 30 minutes.
Your Game Day Checklist
If you are heading to the Smith Fieldhouse or the Marriott Center tonight, remember that BYU has moved to a completely digital ticketing system. No paper tickets. Have your phone charged.
For those watching from home, the split between BYUtv and ESPN+ can be frustrating. Basically, if it's a "non-revenue" sport or a home volleyball match, it’s usually on BYUtv (which is free). If it’s a conference-sanctioned basketball or gymnastics event, it’s almost always behind the ESPN+ paywall.
Check your subscriptions now so you aren't scrambling and missing the first set or the first rotation.
To stay ahead of the curve, you can sync the official BYU Athletics calendar to your Google or Apple calendar. This automatically updates for time changes and adds the broadcast channel directly into the event notes. It’s the easiest way to never have to manually search for game times again.