Look, if you’re searching for where can I watch IU football today, you might be a day early for the biggest game in the history of Bloomington, but you're exactly in the right place to get your bearings. Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. If you've been living under a rock, the Indiana Hoosiers aren't just "good" this year—they are the #1 team in the country.
Right now, the team is in Miami. They aren't playing a game this afternoon, but the city is basically turning Cream and Crimson as we speak. The actual "must-watch" event, the College Football Playoff National Championship, kicks off tomorrow night.
The Short Answer: When and Where to Watch
You can’t watch a live game today because the Hoosiers are finalizing their walkthroughs. However, you need to clear your schedule for tomorrow.
- The Matchup: #1 Indiana vs. #10 Miami
- Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
- Kickoff Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Primary Channel: ESPN
If you are looking for IU-related content right now to scratch that itch, there are several fan events happening in Miami today. The Big Red Warm Up is taking over the FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET. While it’s not being broadcast on major network TV, you’ll find heavy coverage on social media and likely some hits on the local Indianapolis news stations like WTHR or FOX59.
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Streaming Options for the National Championship
Since there's no game today, you have exactly 24 hours to make sure your streaming setup won't fail you when Curt Cignetti leads the boys onto the field at Hard Rock Stadium.
Honestly, the "best" way to watch depends on what you're already paying for. Since it's on ESPN, you have the standard heavy hitters. YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV are the most reliable because they handle high-traffic live sports pretty well. If you’re trying to save a buck, Sling TV (the Orange package) is the cheapest way to get ESPN, but just remember you don't get the local broadcast channels like ABC or CBS with that specific tier.
For the cord-cutters who want the "MegaCast" experience, the ESPN App usually hosts about a dozen different ways to watch the game—Skycam, Command Center, and sometimes even a focused broadcast on the hometown radio announcers.
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What’s Happening in Miami Today?
If you're lucky enough to be down in Florida, today is all about the CFP Fan Central. It’s at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The Marching Hundred, the cheerleaders, and the Red Steppers are doing a massive performance at 3:00 p.m. ET.
It’s kind of wild to think about. Indiana—a "basketball school"—is the favorite to win a football national title. The Hoosiers are sitting at 15-0. They just dismantled Oregon 55-22 in the Peach Bowl. If you want to see highlights of that to tide you over until tomorrow, they are looped pretty much 24/7 on the Big Ten Network right now.
How to Listen if You're Driving
Maybe you’re on the road and can't watch anything. You can still catch the pre-game hype. Don Fischer, the legendary Voice of the Hoosiers, is already doing segments on 107.5 The Fan in Indianapolis.
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For the game tomorrow, or the talk shows today:
- TuneIn App: Search for "Indiana Hoosiers"
- SiriusXM: Channel 84 (usually the national ESPNU Radio feed) or the specific Big Ten channels.
- Local Radio: If you’re in Indiana, check 105.5 in Valpo, 95.9 in Wabash, or 93.1 WIBC in Indy.
Why This Specific Game is Weird
Miami is the #10 seed. Usually, a #10 seed doesn't make it this far, but the Hurricanes have been on a "destiny" run of their own, knocking off Ohio State and Ole Miss. They are playing in their own backyard at Hard Rock Stadium, which effectively makes this a road game for IU despite being the higher seed.
People keep waiting for the IU carriage to turn back into a pumpkin. It hasn't happened. Fernando Mendoza has been surgical, and the defense hasn't allowed more than 25 points in a month.
Actionable Next Steps
Since you can't watch the game today, here is your checklist to be ready for the 7:30 p.m. kickoff tomorrow:
- Verify your ESPN login: Don't wait until 7:29 p.m. to realize you forgot your password.
- Check the Big Ten Network: They are running "Journey" specials today that profile this specific IU roster.
- Download the IU Hoosiers Mobile App: They push out the most accurate "where to watch" links about two hours before kickoff.
- Set your DVR: If you’re a person who likes to re-watch history, make sure you have at least 4 hours of space. Championship games always run long due to the halftime show and excessive commercials.
The wait is almost over. Bloomington has waited over a century for this. One more day.