You know that feeling when you're standing in the middle of a crowded grocery store on a Saturday afternoon and suddenly realize you have no idea if the Buckeyes are playing or not? It's a specific kind of panic. Columbus basically runs on Scarlet and Gray time. If you aren't synced up with the schedule, you're either missing the best part of the weekend or you're stuck in traffic that feels like a literal nightmare.
Right now, we are squarely in the heart of the winter grind. If you’re looking for when is the next Ohio State game, the answer depends entirely on whether you’re looking for the gridiron or the hardwood.
Since it’s January 2026, the football pads have been tucked away after a wild postseason run. But the Schottenstein Center is absolutely rocking. Honestly, the basketball schedule is moving so fast right now it’s hard to keep up.
The Immediate Answer: Ohio State Basketball Takes Center Stage
If you need to clear your calendar for the absolute next time the Buckeyes take the floor, you’re looking at a huge conference matchup. Ohio State plays UCLA on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
This isn't just any game. It's a 1:00 p.m. tip-off right here in Columbus at the Value City Arena. If you’ve been following the season, you know the Big Ten looks a lot different these days with the West Coast teams in the mix. Seeing UCLA come into the Schott for a January afternoon game still feels a little surreal, but the stakes are high for the conference standings.
🔗 Read more: Liverpool FC Chelsea FC: Why This Grudge Match Still Hits Different
You can catch this one on CBS. Ian Eagle and Bill Raftery are usually the ones calling these big Saturday slots, and there is nothing quite like Raftery shouting "Onions!" when a Buckeye hits a clutch three.
The Remaining January Schedule
After the UCLA game, the schedule doesn't let up. Here is a quick look at the gauntlet they have coming up for the rest of the month:
- Tuesday, Jan. 20: Home vs. Minnesota (6:30 p.m.)
- Friday, Jan. 23: Away at Michigan (8:00 p.m.) — Mark your calendar for this one. The Crisler Center is going to be hostile.
- Monday, Jan. 26: Home vs. Penn State (7:00 p.m.)
- Saturday, Jan. 31: Away at Wisconsin (2:00 p.m.)
The Michigan game on the 23rd is basically mandatory viewing. I don't care if it's football, basketball, or competitive tiddlywinks; when those two schools meet, everything else stops.
When Is the Next Ohio State Game for Football?
Look, I get it. For a lot of people, "Buckeye sports" is a synonym for football. The 2025 season just wrapped up with some heartbreak in the CFP Quarterfinals at the Cotton Bowl against Miami, but the hype for 2026 is already starting to bubble over.
💡 You might also like: NFL Football Teams in Order: Why Most Fans Get the Hierarchy Wrong
Since we are currently in January 2026, we are in that long, dry desert known as the offseason. You won't see a live football game in the Horseshoe for a while.
The Spring Game usually happens in mid-April. We don't have the official date for the 2026 Spring Game yet, but it typically lands on the second or third Saturday of the month. It’s the first chance to see the new QB battle and the early enrollees who are basically still supposed to be at their high school proms.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Regular Season
If you're a "plan your life six months in advance" type of person, the 2026 opener is already a monster. Ohio State opens the 2026 season on September 12, 2026, against the Texas Longhorns. Wait. Let that sink in.
Texas. In Austin.
📖 Related: Why Your 1 Arm Pull Up Progression Isn't Working (And How to Fix It)
It’s a massive non-conference showdown. Usually, these big home-and-home series are what define a season's playoff resume. After Texas, the Buckeyes come back home to Columbus to play Boston College on September 19.
Why the Schedule Matters More in 2026
The landscape of college sports has basically shifted under our feet. With the Big Ten expansion, "when is the next Ohio State game" now involves checking time zones more often than we used to. Whether it's the basketball team flying to Seattle or the football team preparing for a trip to the Lonestar State, the travel is grueling.
Nuance matters here. A 1:00 p.m. basketball tip-off on a Saturday is a great "family game," but the midweek 9:00 p.m. road games in places like Oregon or Washington (which happened earlier this month) are killers for those of us with 8:00 a.m. jobs.
Also, keep an eye on the injury report. This late in the winter season, legs are getting heavy. Bruce Thornton and the rest of the backcourt have been playing heavy minutes. If you're betting on these games or just a die-hard fan, the "next game" isn't just about the opponent; it's about who is actually healthy enough to suit up.
Actionable Steps for Buckeye Fans
Don't be the person asking your group chat for the score ten minutes after tip-off. Here is how you stay ahead:
- Sync the Calendar: Go to the official Ohio State Athletics site and use the "Add to Calendar" feature. It’ll push the game times (including any TV changes) directly to your phone.
- Download the App: The Ohio State Buckeyes app is actually pretty decent for live stats if you’re stuck at a wedding or a work event.
- Radio Backup: If you're driving through the Ohio countryside and lose cell service, find the local Learfield affiliate. Paul Keels' voice is the literal sound of Ohio winter.
- Ticket Check: If you're planning to go to the UCLA game on the 17th, check the secondary markets now. With the Bruins being a new conference foe, those tickets are moving faster than usual.
The season is long, and the winters in Columbus are gray, but there is always a game right around the corner. Go Bucks.