If you're staring at your watch wondering who plays today at 1 00, you’ve probably realized that Wednesday afternoons are a weirdly great time for sports. It’s that sweet spot where lunch breaks turn into "scouting sessions." Today, January 14, 2026, isn't just another Wednesday. We are deep into the winter grind.
Basketball is everywhere. Soccer is heating up internationally. Even the tennis world is buzzing with qualifying rounds in Melbourne. Honestly, if you can’t find a game to keep you occupied at 1:00 PM, you aren't looking hard enough.
The Heavy Hitters: AFCON Semifinals Take Center Stage
The biggest story at 1:00 PM ET today is happening thousands of miles away, but it’s the one everyone is talking about. We have the first semifinal of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
It is a massive rematch. Senegal vs. Egypt.
This is basically a repeat of the 2021 final. You remember that one—Senegal took it on penalties. Egypt is a seven-time champion, and they aren't coming into this game just to participate. They want revenge. If you’re a soccer fan, this is the definitive answer to who plays today at 1 00. The energy in the stadium is going to be electric, even if you're watching it on a small screen at your desk.
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College Hoops and Matinee Madness
College basketball doesn't always wait for prime time. While the massive Big Ten matchups like Iowa at Purdue don't tip off until later tonight (around 6:30 PM ET), the afternoon is filled with specialized programming and smaller conference action.
If you flip over to the Big Ten Network at 1:00 PM ET, you’re looking at B1G Wrestling in 60. It’s not a live game, but for fans of the mat, these replays of the week's best duals are essential viewing.
On the hardwood, we have several women's college basketball games that started earlier or are hitting their stride right around the 1:00 PM mark.
- Southern Miss vs. Texas State tips off right at 12:00 PM ET, meaning you’ll be catching the high-stakes second half right as the clock hits 1:00.
- New Mexico vs. San Diego State follows shortly after at 2:00 PM ET.
There’s also some major news in the coaching world that’s overshadowing the actual games today. Mike Tomlin just stepped down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers after 19 seasons. Even if they aren't playing a game at 1:00 PM, the sports talk world is going to be 100% focused on who the Steelers are interviewing next. It's the end of an era.
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Tennis: The Road to the Australian Open
Down in Melbourne, the sun is already up on a different day, but for those of us tracking the global schedule, the Australian Open Qualifying rounds are a major factor for who plays today at 1 00.
Qualifying runs through today, January 14. These matches are brutal. It's the "win or go home" stage for players trying to claw their way into the main draw which starts on the 18th. You’ve got names like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner waiting in the wings, but the guys playing right now are fighting for their professional lives.
Why Midweek Sports Scheduling is Changing
You’ve probably noticed more games creeping into the 1:00 PM slot lately. It’s not an accident. Networks are realized that there is a massive "second screen" audience during the workday. People are working from home. They have a tablet running a game next to their laptop.
Kinda makes the workday go faster, doesn't it?
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Whether it's the high-level tactical battle of Senegal and Egypt or the grit of college wrestling replays, the 1:00 PM hour is surprisingly packed.
What You Should Do Next
If you want to catch the AFCON semifinal, check your international sports packages or streaming services like beIN Sports. For the college hoops action, the ESPN+ app is usually your best bet for those midday conference games that don't make the main cable channels.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for the NBA games later tonight—Philadelphia 76ers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers is the big one at 7:00 PM, but the "load management" era means the lineups you see at 1:00 PM might not be what you see at tip-off.
Check your local listings for the specific channel assignments for the Southern Miss vs. Texas State game if you're following the Sun Belt race.