If you woke up today, January 18, 2026, wondering what time do the wisconsin badgers play football today, I have some news that might be a little bit of a letdown—or a relief, depending on how much you love a good tailgate in the freezing cold.
The Badgers aren't playing football today.
Basically, the college football season for Wisconsin wrapped up a while ago. After a 2025 campaign that saw its fair share of ups and downs—mostly downs, if we're being honest, with that 4-8 finish—the pads are in storage. Camp Randall is currently a quiet, snowy fortress. But don't click away just yet. Even though there isn't a kickoff on the gridiron, there is a massive game happening today in Madison that you probably don't want to miss if you're a fan of the Cream and Red.
The Badgers are playing today, just not on grass
While the football team is deep in the "offseason of change" (more on the transfer portal madness in a second), the Wisconsin Women's Basketball team is taking center stage.
They are hosting the Oregon Ducks at the Kohl Center.
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- Tip-off Time: 3:00 PM CT (4:00 PM ET)
- Where to Watch: Big Ten Network (BTN)
- The Vibe: The Badgers (11-7) are desperately trying to snap a three-game skid.
It’s kind of funny how the schedules align. Usually, when people ask about the Badgers playing Oregon, they’re thinking about that tough road trip to Eugene we saw last October. But today, the battle is on the hardwood. Honestly, if you're looking for that Badger fix, the Kohl Center is the only place to get it live this Sunday.
Wait, what happened to the football season?
I know, it feels weird. For those who aren't glued to the calendar, January is usually the "transfer portal and recruiting" season rather than the "actually playing games" season, unless you're in the College Football Playoff.
Wisconsin didn't make a bowl game this year. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a program that once had one of the longest bowl streaks in the country. The 2025 season ended with a thud against Minnesota in late November, and since then, head coach Luke Fickell has been playing a high-stakes game of roster Tetris.
The Transfer Portal is the "Game" Today
If you want to know what the football team is doing right now while you're looking for a game time, they're recruiting. Just yesterday, they landed a big commitment. Zion Kearney, a wide receiver transfer from Oklahoma, officially committed to the Badgers.
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Kearney is a former four-star recruit who should give the offense some much-needed vertical threat. He joins a room that’s being completely overhauled. Think about this:
- Shamar Rigby (Oklahoma State) is in.
- Malachi Coleman (Nebraska/Minnesota) is in.
- Jaylon Domingeaux is in.
Basically, if you don't recognize half the names on the jersey next September, don't feel bad. Nobody will. Fickell is essentially rebuilding the plane while it's in the air.
When do the Wisconsin Badgers play football again?
Since there’s no game today, your next chance to see the Badgers hit someone in a different colored jersey isn't until the Spring Game in April, or more realistically, the 2026 season opener.
The 2026 schedule is actually wild. They open with a massive "Shamrock Series" game against Notre Dame.
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- Date: September 6, 2026
- Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay
- The Stakes: This is basically a home game for Wisconsin, but against a blue-blood program in the most famous stadium in the world.
That is the date you really need to circle. After that, they’ve got Western Illinois and Eastern Michigan at home before diving back into the Big Ten gauntlet.
Why you should watch the Badgers (Hoops) today anyway
Look, I get it. Basketball isn't football. But the atmosphere at the Kohl Center when a Big Ten rival like Oregon comes to town is still top-tier.
The women's team has been scrappy this year. They started strong but have hit a wall recently. Oregon is 14-5 and coming into Madison looking to bully their way through the paint. If you’ve got the Big Ten Network, it’s worth a watch. Plus, it beats watching another NFL playoff game where your favorite team probably isn't playing anyway.
Actionable Next Steps for Badger Fans
Since you can't watch football today, here is how you can stay locked in:
- Tune in to BTN at 3 PM CT to catch the women’s basketball game against Oregon.
- Check the Transfer Portal trackers on sites like BadgerBlitz or 247Sports. With Zion Kearney just committing, there’s a good chance more "crystal balls" are about to drop for defensive line depth.
- Set a calendar alert for September 6. Tickets for that Notre Dame game at Lambeau are going to be impossible to find if you wait until August.
The football season might be over, but being a Badger fan is a year-round job. Grab a brat, turn on the basketball game, and start dreaming about that Lambeau kickoff. It’ll be here sooner than you think.