You've got the cooler packed, the red hoodie pulled out of the closet, and that "Jump Around" itch in your feet. But when you look at the calendar and realize it's Saturday, January 17, 2026, there is one big, glaring question: What time do the badgers football play today?
Honestly, it’s a bit of a bummer. If you were looking for Luke Fickell’s squad to take the field at Camp Randall or some bowl site this afternoon, I have to give it to you straight—they aren't playing.
The Badgers football season wrapped up back in late November with a tough 17-7 loss to Minnesota. After a 4-8 finish in 2025, the team didn't make a bowl game this year. It's weird not seeing them in action in mid-January, especially with the expanded 12-team playoff system in full swing for other schools, but that's the reality for Wisconsin right now.
Why There’s No Badgers Football Game Today
Basically, the 2025 campaign was a rough one. Wisconsin finished with a 2-7 record in Big Ten play, landing them 98th in the country overall. When you're scoring about 12.8 points a game, it's hard to find your way into the postseason. While the defense held its own, the offense just couldn't find a rhythm, leading to that 4-8 final record.
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If you’re seeing "Badgers" on the TV guide for today, January 17, 2026, you’re likely looking at the Men’s Basketball team. They actually just finished a game at the Kohl Center. They hosted the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at 2:00 PM ET (1:00 PM local time). If you missed it, Nick Boyd absolutely went off for 32 points to lead Wisconsin to a 96-87 win.
There's also some hockey and track going on if you need that Badger fix:
- Men’s Hockey: Just got swept by Michigan State in a tough road series.
- Women’s Hockey: Crushed St. Thomas 5-1 yesterday.
- Track & Field: They’ve been competing at the Indiana Invitational all weekend.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
Since you can't watch them today, you're probably already thinking about the fall. The 2026 schedule is actually looking pretty wild.
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We already know the non-conference slate, and it starts with a massive bang. Wisconsin opens the season on Sunday, September 6, 2026, against Notre Dame. The twist? It’s at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. That’s going to be an absolute madhouse.
After the Irish, they’ve got Western Illinois on September 12 and then a newly added game against Eastern Michigan on September 19. They actually dropped a game against Pitt to make room for that EMU matchup.
2026 Big Ten Home Opponents
When the conference schedule kicks in, Madison will host:
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- Michigan State
- Rutgers
- Minnesota (The Battle for the Axe returns to Camp Randall!)
- USC
2026 Big Ten Road Trips
If you’re a traveler, you might want to start looking at flights for:
- Iowa
- Maryland
- Penn State
- Purdue
- UCLA
Actionable Next Steps for Badger Fans
Since there’s no kickoff to catch today, the best way to stay in the loop is to track the transfer portal. Coach Fickell has been active, recently introducing new additions like Colton Joseph. You can follow the "Building the Badgers" series on the official athletic site to see how the roster is being rebuilt for that 2026 opener.
If you're looking to secure seats for that Lambeau game against Notre Dame, keep an eye on the official ticket office around March or April, as those will likely be the hardest tickets to find in years. For now, enjoy the basketball win over Rutgers and start counting down the days until September.