Look, the "January doldrums" are a complete myth if you actually know where to point your remote. While everyone else is just waiting for the Super Bowl or checking their brackets for March, there is actually a ton of high-stakes action happening right now. If you're wondering who is America playing today, the answer isn't just one team or one sport. It’s a mix of future NHL legends hitting the ice in Michigan and a massive slate of domestic matchups that carry that "Team USA" weight.
The big headliner for Thursday, January 15, 2026, is the Chipotle All-American Game. If you aren't a puck-head, you might have missed the buzz, but this is basically the "Who’s Next" of American hockey.
The 2026 Chipotle All-American Game: The big one
Honestly, if you want to see the future of the NHL, you need to be watching what's happening at the USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan. This isn't just a friendly exhibition; it’s a high-speed audition for the NHL Draft. We're talking about the top NHL draft-eligible players from the U.S. National Under-18 Team (part of the NTDP) and the best of the USHL.
The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET, and it’s being broadcast live on NHL Network.
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Why should you care? Well, look at the alumni list. Jack Eichel, the Tkachuk brothers, Jack Hughes—they all came through this exact pipeline. Today, the rosters are split into Team White and Team Blue. You've got guys like Mikey Berchild (a Denver commit) and Dayne Beuker suiting up for Team White, while the local Youngstown Phantoms stars like Hextall and Jardine are repping Team Blue. It’s fast, it’s physical, and since these kids are playing for draft stock, they don’t take shifts off.
What about the USMNT and USWNT?
I get it, usually when people ask "who is America playing today," they mean soccer. The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) actually doesn't have a match today. They’ve moved away from that old "January Camp" tradition and did their business back in December. They aren't back on the pitch for a real match until late March when they face Belgium and Portugal in Atlanta.
The USWNT is also in a "training" phase right now. Emma Hayes has the squad in camp getting ready for a couple of friendlies against Paraguay and Chile later this month (starting Jan 24). So, if you were hoping for a senior national team soccer match this afternoon, you’re out of luck. But, hey, the U.S. Men's Beach Soccer National Team is currently in camp in Fort Lauderdale. Not televised, but they’re out there grinding.
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College and Pro "American" action
Since there isn't a senior "USA vs. The World" game tonight, most of the country is pivoting to the American Athletic Conference or the NBA.
- NBA: If you want to see Americans playing at the highest level, the Dallas Mavericks are hosting the Utah Jazz tonight at 7:30 PM ET.
- The American (AAC): In college hoops, Wichita State is at Florida Atlantic tonight at 9 p.m. ET.
- College Women’s Basketball: Keep an eye on the #7/#9 Kentucky squad taking on Florida at 7 p.m.
The international context (U19 Cricket and Handball)
If you really want to get technical about "America" on the world stage, the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup actually kicks off today in Zimbabwe and Namibia. The U.S. has been making serious strides in cricket lately, so checking the scoreboards for the youth qualifiers is a pro move for the true sports junkie.
Over in Europe, the EHF European Men's Handball Championship starts today too. While the U.S. isn't in that (for obvious reasons), plenty of American fans follow it because it’s basically the most underrated sport on the planet.
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How to watch and what to do next
If you're looking to park it on the couch, here is your quick-and-dirty checklist for the best "American" sports today:
- Tune into NHL Network at 7 p.m. ET for the All-American Game. It’s the highest level of "Team USA" branded competition happening today.
- Check your local listings for the NBA—specifically that Mavs/Jazz game if you want to see some elite guard play.
- Download the U.S. Soccer app to track the USWNT roster as they prep for their January 24th opener against Paraguay.
The real takeaway? Don't sleep on the junior hockey kids. They’re playing for their lives today, and you’re probably watching a future Olympian before they even have a jersey with their name on it in an NHL locker room.