The best ways to watch college football in 2026
The best ways to watch college football in 2026
We’ll give you the best methods for streaming college football games live right here!
We are halfway into August, and college football fans are already licking their chops in anticipation of the season to come. Week 0 is set for the weekend of Aug. 29, and once it arrives, the season is officially off and running, with top teams from conferences like the ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Pac-12, and SEC getting into action.
If you’re not sure which channels your favorite team will play on this season and need to know more about how to watch, our guide is here to help. See absolutely everything you need to know about watching the 2026 college football regular season without cable below, including all the details you’ll need to stream it.
Everything you need to know to watch college football in 2026
Where do top college football conferences play in 2026?
| Conference | Channels |
|---|---|
| ACC | ACC Network, ABC, The CW, ESPN |
| Big Ten | Big Ten Network, CBS, Fox, FS1, NBC |
| Big 12 | ABC, ESPN, Fox, FS1, TNT |
| Mountain West | CBS, Fox, FS1 |
| Pac-12 | CBS, CBS Sports Network, The CW, USA Network |
| SEC | ABC, ESPN, SEC Network |
| Army and Navy | CBS, CBS Sports Network |
Which TV channels will carry college football in 2026?
Fans will once again find major college football games on a wide variety of broadcast and cable channels in 2026. Five over-the-air broadcast channels will offer college football in 2026: ABC, CBS, The CW, NBC and NBC.
In addition, fans will find college football games on a variety of cable channels, including ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FS1, FS2, SEC Network, TNT, and USA Network. There are a variety of live TV streaming services that carry all of these channels in one place, or viewers can seek individual conferences by mixing and matching on-demand streamers.
| DIRECTV | Fubo | Hulu | Sling TV | YouTube TV | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Free Trial | Free 3-Day Trial | Save with Sling | Free Trial | |||||
| $20.99 | $9.99 | $28.99 | $19.99 | $29.99 | $45.99 | $45.99 | $64.99 | ||
| ABC | + $24 | + $59 | + $61 | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| ACC Network | + $24 | + $11 | + $61 | - | - | + $11 | - | ✓ | |
| Big Ten Network | + $15 | + $59 | + $61 | - | - | - | + $11 | ✓ | |
| CBS | + $24 | + $59 | + $61 | - | - | - | - | ✓ | |
| CBS Sports Network | + $15 | + $59 | + $61 | - | - | - | - | ✓ | |
| ESPN | + $24 | + $59 | + $61 | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | |
| ESPN2 | + $24 | + $59 | + $61 | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | |
| ESPNU | + $24 | + $11 | + $61 | - | - | + $11 | - | ✓ | |
| Fox | + $19 | + $59 | + $61 | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| FS1 | + $24 | + $59 | + $61 | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| FS2 | + $15 | + $59 | + $61 | - | - | - | + $11 | ✓ | |
| NBC | + $19 | + $11 | + $61 | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| SEC Network | + $24 | + $11 | + $61 | - | - | + $11 | - | ✓ | |
| The CW | + $39 | + $59 | + $60 | - | - | - | - | ✓ | |
| TNT | + $24 | - | + $61 | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| USA Network | + $24 | - | + $61 | - | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
Which live TV streaming services offer college football in 2026?
To watch college football on linear channels as you once did with a cable or satellite plan, you can sign up for one of five live TV streaming services that carry the channels needed to watch college football games in 2026. Learn more about these services here:
DIRECTV
DIRECTV is a great place to start if you’re looking to watch college football games from multiple conferences in one place. Fans will find a big selection of CFB games in the DIRECTV MySports Genre Pack, a smaller-sized channel plan that only offers broadcast and cable channels, with no entertainment or news networks included. It normally costs $65 per month, and also includes access to ESPN Unlimited.
Customers who prefer a more all-inclusive experience with their channel package should browse DIRECTV Signature plans, which bundle news, sports, and entertainment channels in plans with at least 90 channels each. The cheapest is the ENTERTAINMENT plan, costing $90 per month.
The upshot with DIRECTV is that either the MySports Genre Pack or any of its Signature packages will come with a huge selection of college football games from top conferences. Keep in mind that if you want a DIRECTV Signature package, you’ll have to pay extra for channels like ACC Network, CBS Sports Network, and SEC Network; these are found in the CHOICE plan, or viewers can add the Sports add-on pack to the ENTERTAINMENT plan to watch.
DIRECTV
DIRECTV is one of The Streamable’s top choices for the best live TV streaming service overall in 2026, especially for users who want the most channels or want to watch the most live sports. With an unbeatable lineup of local, news, sports, and entertainment channels, three main signature packages, an unlimited DVR, and 20 simultaneous streams at home, DIRECTV remains a premier choice for any cord-cutter.
Fubo
Fubo carries all local broadcast channels, including The CW, in its Pro and Elite plans, which cost $89 and $99 per month before taxes and fees, respectively. Customers will also find a great selection of cable sports channels like ESPN, CBS Sports Network, and FS1 in these plans, and Fubo also has a news-and-sports-only package that carries these same networks for $65 per month.
There are some drawbacks to consider with Fubo, however. There are some channel limitations to be aware of; Fubo does not carry TNT Sports channels, so any CFB games on those networks are unavailable on the streamer. USA Network is also unavailable on the service, so Fubo subscribers will miss a chunk of the Pac-12 season.
Fubo’s Pro and Elite plans also include regional sports networks where applicable, and Fubo charges an RSN fee of up to $17 per month on top of the base price. That can make Fubo a bit more expensive than the entry-level plans of some other services, but fans who enjoy the MLB, NBA, and NHL games on their local RSN in addition to college football games will love the service.
Fubo
Fubo is a live TV streaming service offering a robust lineup of approximately 150 premier channels, with plans starting at $63.99 per month. This entry-level package provides access to local broadcast affiliates 18 of the leading 35 cable channels channels, and valuable regional sports networks (RSNs).
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV has a great amount of access to college football games in 2026, with local broadcast channels and cable sports networks abundant on the service. Unlike other streamers on this list, Hulu + Live TV has just one channel plan, with 90+ total options. Its price starts at $89 per month, but for just $1 per month more, viewers unlock the on-demand libraries of both Disney+ and Hulu, an ESPN Select account, and access to ESPN Unlimited through the ESPN app.
Hulu Live TV
Hulu Live TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 70 channels for $89.99 per month. Hulu + Live TV base plan includes local channels 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs). Subscribers get free access to Disney+ and ESPN Select at no extra charge.
Sling TV
Sling TV is a decent choice for watching college football this season, though it’ll take a little legwork. That’s mostly because Sling TV divides college sports channels like ESPN and FS1 into different packages, in order to keep the starting prices of its plans lower. Sling’s base plans start at $46 per month, with two plans that start at $20 per month, as well.
The real trick with Sling, however, is that it doesn’t have local channels in a large number of markets. CBS isn’t included anywhere with Sling, and ABC, Fox, and NBC access is limited mostly to large TV markets, leaving many stuck looking for other ways to receive these channels. If you want to use Sling to watch college football games on ESPN or FS1, however, you can always grab an over-the-air antenna to receive local channels.
Sling TV
Sling TV is The Streamable’s choice for cord-cutters on a budget. Sling is a live TV streaming service with multiple channel packages. The $45.99/month Sling Orange plan offers about 30 channels, including Disney Channel and ESPN. The $45.99/month Sling Blue plan offers about 40 channels, including ABC, Fox, and NBC in major markets.
You can combine Orange+Blue for a total of $60.99 / month. Sling also offers many channel add-on packages starting at $6/month.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is another streamer that offers different kinds of channel packages for different audiences. College football fans can opt for the YouTube TV Sports package to watch 30+ sports channels, including broadcast networks, cable sports channels, and ESPN Unlimited. This plan normally costs $65 per month, but new subscribers can enjoy a $10 discount for each of their first 12 months of service, lowering the price to $55 per month.
Those who want more of a traditional pay-TV experience with YouTube TV can sign up for its base channel plan, with 100+ channels for $83 per month. Viewers will find all the college football they can watch in this package, record games with YouTube TV’s unlimited Cloud DVR, and watch all their favorite news and entertainment channels, as well.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 60 channels for $82.99/month. This plan includes local channels 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs) in select markets. The base plan includes more than 100 live channels, including major broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, as well as popular cable channels such as ESPN, CNN, FX, USA Network, and TNT. Local channels are included in most markets, making YouTube TV a full replacement for traditional cable for many viewers.
Which on-demand streaming services offer college football in 2026?
If you’d rather zero in on one or two college football conferences this season, and don’t need every game all in one place, you can create your own stack of streaming services that offer live college football games. We’ll explain which on-demand and direct-to-consumer services carry CFB games in 2026 below!
ESPN Unlimited
If you want to stream all college football found on ESPN channels, but don’t want to pay for other content in a pay-TV bundle, you can sign up for an ESPN Unlimited subscription starting at $30 per month. This service offers live access to all games appearing on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ACC Network, and SEC Network, as well as any games on ESPN Select.
Viewers can bundle ESPN Unlimited with Disney+ and Hulu, with Fox One, or with MLB.TV if they want additional access to content with their subscription.
ESPN Unlimited
ESPN launched its highly anticipated direct-to-consumer streaming service on August 21, 2025. For the first time, this service gives sports fans access to its full lineup of linear channels without a traditional cable or satellite subscription.
Fox One
Fox One works much like ESPN Unlimited; it offers live access to all CFB games on Fox in your region, as well as games on FS1. It also allows viewers to watch content from other major Fox brands, including Fox News, Fox Business Network, and Fox Weather. It costs $20 per month, and can be bundled with ESPN Unlimited or Fox Nation.
Fox One
Launched August 21, 2025, Fox One is a direct-to-consumer streaming service from Fox Corporation. Billed as a “major digital initiative,” Fox One brings together the full range of Fox’s leading news, sports, and entertainment brands, offering live and on-demand access in one unified platform.
Paramount+
Paramount+ doesn’t include any regular college football access on its Essential tier, but customers who upgrade to the Premium plan get a live stream of their local CBS station included. That will unlock all college football games on CBS, though any games on CBS Sports Network will still be unavailable. Paramount+ Premium costs $14 per month.
Paramount Plus
Paramount+ is a subscription video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 40,000+ TV show episodes from BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., and more. Get free access with a Walmart+ subscription.
Paramount+ includes “1883,” “Tulsa King,” “Star Trek: Discovery,” “SpongeBob SquarePants,” and “PAW Patrol.” Subscribers can watch the NFL, college football, The Masters, college basketball, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, Serie A, and NWSL. The service also offers the option to watch your live CBS affiliate. The upgraded ad-free package includes premium movies and shows from Showtime.
Peacock
Peacock offers all live college football games airing on NBC, including those from Notre Dame. Viewers will have to choose either the Peacock Premium ($11 per month) or Premium Plus ($17 per month) plan to watch live sports with the streamer, including college football.
Peacock
Peacock is a subscription video streaming service from NBCUniversal that includes original shows, blockbuster movies, and classic television series. Peacock is home to “Yellowstone,” “The Office,” and original hits like “Poker Face” and “Bel-Air.” You can also watch live sports and NBC programming, including the NFL, MLB, WWE, the Olympics, the Premier League, NASCAR, the French Open, college football and basketball, and the PGA Tour. Premium Plus subscribers can stream their local NBC feed in all 210 markets.
HBO Max
HBO Max customers will be able to stream any Big 12 or College Football Playoff games appearing on TNT live if they have an ad-free plan. These start at $18.49 per month, and include the entire HBO Max library, other TNT Sports content, and downloads for watching on-demand titles offline.
HBO Max
HBO Max is a subscription video streaming service that gives access to the full HBO library and exclusive Max Originals. There are hubs for content from TLC, HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, TCM, Cartoon Network, Travel Channel, ID, and more. Watch hit series like “The Last of Us,” “House of the Dragon,” “Succession,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and more. Within HBO Max, B/R Sports allows users to watch live NBA, MLB, NHL, March Madness, and NASCAR events.
| Streaming service | Conferences offered | Monthly price |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN Unlimited | SEC, ACC, Big 12, C-USA, MAC, Pac-12 (via The CW), Sun Belt, College Football Playoff | $30 |
| Fox One | Big 12, Big Ten, Mountain West | $20 |
| Peacock | Big Ten, Notre Dame | $11 |
| Paramount+ | Big Ten, Mountain West, Pac-12, Commander in Chief’s Trophy | $14 |
| HBO Max | Big 12, College Football Playoff games | $18.49 |
What’s the cheapest way to watch college football in 2026?
If you added up all the on-demand streaming services you have to have to watch the most possible college football games in 2026, the total will exceed $90 per month. Therefore, if you’re looking to see as many games as you can with a single subscription, you should sign up for the YouTube TV Sports Genre Plan for $55 per month.
With 30+ channels, including local broadcast networks, YouTube TV’s Sports plan allows fans to watch games from all of the Power Five conferences at once. YouTube TV Sports also includes NBC Sports Network, which is the only other way to watch live sports exclusive to the NBC streaming service Peacock.
The $10 monthly discount for a new customer’s first 12 months on the YouTube TV Sports plan helps it beat DIRECTV and Fubo, which are only offering new customers discounts on one or two months of service. If you’re looking to watch college football as inexpensively as possible in 2026, YouTube TV’s Sports plan is the way to go.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 60 channels for $82.99/month. This plan includes local channels 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs) in select markets. The base plan includes more than 100 live channels, including major broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, as well as popular cable channels such as ESPN, CNN, FX, USA Network, and TNT. Local channels are included in most markets, making YouTube TV a full replacement for traditional cable for many viewers.