It is Saturday, January 17, 2026. If you haven't looked at the schedule yet, honestly, you're missing out on arguably the biggest sports day of the year so far. We aren't just talking about regular-season slogs here. We are talking about the NFL Divisional Round and a Manchester Derby that basically decides if the Premier League title race is actually a race or just a victory lap.
Football is everywhere today. It's overwhelming. From Denver's thin air to the rain in Manchester, here is the actual breakdown of what is happening on the pitch and the gridiron right now.
Who is playing in football today in the NFL Playoffs?
The Divisional Round is where the "pretenders" get sorted from the "contenders." It's better than the Wild Card. Why? Because the #1 seeds are finally coming off their bye week, and they usually look like they want to hit someone.
Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos (4:30 p.m. ET, CBS)
The Bills are traveling to Empower Field at Mile High. This is a nightmare for Buffalo's conditioning. Denver is a #1 seed for a reason, and that altitude at 5,280 feet is a real player in the fourth quarter. If you've ever tried to run a sprint in Denver, you know—your lungs basically turn into raisins.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (8:00 p.m. ET, FOX)
This is an NFC West bloodbath. Seattle is the #1 seed, playing at Lumen Field. If you're a Niners fan, you're worried about the noise. If you're a Seahawks fan, you're worried about the 49ers' pass rush. It’s a classic rivalry game that feels a bit more "old school" than the high-flying AFC matchups.
✨ Don't miss: Finding the Best Texas Longhorns iPhone Wallpaper Without the Low-Res Junk
The Premier League and that massive Manchester Derby
While America is waking up to the NFL, Europe has already been screaming at televisions for hours. Today’s slate in England was headlined by the early kickoff at Old Trafford.
Manchester United vs. Manchester City kicked things off at 12:30 p.m. local time. This wasn't just a neighborhood spat. With City chasing the top spot and United trying to claw back into Champions League relevance, the stakes were stupidly high.
The rest of the 3:00 p.m. (GMT) window looks like this:
- Liverpool vs. Burnley: Anfield is always a fortress, but Burnley has been surprisingly "sticky" lately.
- Chelsea vs. Brentford: A West London derby that usually involves a lot of tactical chess and very little breathing room.
- Tottenham vs. West Ham: Another London clash. Spurs are looking to prove their consistency, while West Ham is just looking to ruin someone's weekend.
- Sunderland vs. Crystal Palace: A massive game for the bottom half of the table.
- Leeds vs. Fulham: Pure chaos. Leeds doesn't do "boring."
Later on, at 5:30 p.m. GMT, Nottingham Forest hosts Arsenal. Forest at the City Ground under the lights is a different beast. Arsenal needs these three points if they want to keep pace with the leaders.
🔗 Read more: Why Isn't Mbappe Playing Today: The Real Madrid Crisis Explained
What's happening in La Liga and Serie A?
Spain and Italy aren't resting either.
In La Liga, Real Madrid played Levante early. Madrid is currently in that "machine" phase where they just grind out 2-0 wins without breaking a sweat. Real Betis vs. Villarreal (8:00 p.m. local) is the game for the purists tonight. It's going to be technical, fast, and probably feature at least one red card because, well, it's La Liga.
Over in Italy, the Serie A schedule is highlighted by Udinese vs. Inter. Inter is trying to maintain that gap at the top. Later tonight, Cagliari faces Juventus. Going to Sardinia is never easy for the "Old Lady," especially with the home crowd being as hostile as they are. Napoli also plays Sassuolo today, which usually guarantees goals.
The German Bundesliga and French Ligue 1
Germany is giving us the match of the day in Europe: RB Leipzig vs. Bayern Munich. This is the 5:30 p.m. (CET) kickoff. Bayern has looked vulnerable this season, and Leipzig’s transition play is designed specifically to hurt them. Earlier today, Borussia Dortmund faced St. Pauli, which is always a vibe because of the fanbases involved.
💡 You might also like: Tottenham vs FC Barcelona: Why This Matchup Still Matters in 2026
In France, Lens hosts Auxerre. Lens is currently the "surprise package" of Ligue 1. They could actually hit the top of the table today if results go their way. Marseille is also in action against Angers.
Real-world advice for the viewers
If you're trying to watch all of this, you need a plan. Don't just flip channels.
- Prioritize the NFL: The Bills/Broncos game is the one to watch for pure drama.
- Watch the Bundesliga Replay: If you missed Leipzig/Bayern, find the highlights. It’s a tactical masterclass.
- Check the Weather: Seattle is looking rainy. That changes how the 49ers will run the ball.
Honestly, today is just a massive day for anyone who loves a ball being kicked or thrown. Grab a coffee or a beer, depending on your timezone, and settle in. The Divisional Round only happens once a year.
Next Steps for You:
Check your local listings for the 49ers vs. Seahawks game on FOX starting at 8:00 p.m. ET. If you are following the Premier League, verify the late-night scores from the Nottingham Forest vs. Arsenal match to see how it affects the top four.