How to Watch College Basketball in 2026-27 Without Cable: FOX, ESPN, TNT, Peacock and More

The 2026-27 men's college basketball season starts on Sunday, November 1, 2026, and runs through the national championship game on Monday, April 5, 2027. It's also the first season with a 76-team NCAA tournament. Games are spread across broadcast networks, cable channels and streaming apps, so here's where to find them without a cable package.

Opening weekend

The season tips off in Rome. Notre Dame and Villanova play the Eternal City Tip-Off at the Palazzo dello Sport on November 1. The men's game is at 9:30 a.m. ET on FOX, followed by the women's game at noon ET on FS1. The full opening slate follows on Monday, November 2, including:

• Miami vs. Florida, 6 p.m. ET on ESPN2
• Army at Duke, 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU
• Western Carolina at North Carolina, 7 p.m. ET on ACC Network
• Purdue vs. Gonzaga in Las Vegas, 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT
• Gardner-Webb at UConn, 9 p.m. ET on Peacock
• Arizona vs. UCLA in Las Vegas, 10 p.m. ET on TNT

A week later, the Champions Classic in Chicago has Duke vs. Michigan State on ESPN on Tuesday, November 10.

Where games air this season

Network	How to get it without cable
FOX, CBS, NBC	Free with an antenna; also streams on FOX One, Paramount+ and Peacock
ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ACC Network	ESPN's direct-to-consumer plans or a live TV streaming service
TNT and truTV	HBO Max or a live TV streaming service
FS1	FOX One or a live TV streaming service
Big Ten Network	Live TV streaming services that carry BTN
Peacock	Peacock subscription (31 Big Ten games plus Big East games this season)
B1G+	Big Ten's own streaming service for many non-conference home games

Conference by conference

ACC games are on ESPN's networks, with more than 250 games across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ACC Network this season. Big Ten games are split among FOX, CBS, NBC, Peacock, BTN and B1G+. Big East games air on FOX, FS1 and Peacock, and many non-conference games stream on ESPN's platform. If you're choosing an ESPN plan, our comparison of ESPN Unlimited vs. ESPN Select explains which one carries the linear channels, and our guide to watching TNT without cable covers the TNT and truTV games.

Start with an antenna

FOX, CBS and NBC carry some of the biggest games, including the season opener, and they're free over the air. A basic indoor or attic antenna can pick them up in most areas. Then add only the streaming services that carry your team's conference.

Internet speed for streaming games

A single HD stream needs only a modest connection. If you plan to watch two games at once or stream in 4K while others are online, a plan of 100 Mbps or more gives you room. Use Ethernet for the main TV when you can.

Many Peacock subscribers will also be watching the NBA this season. See our NBA on Peacock 2026-27 guide for that schedule.

Frequently asked questions

When does the 2026-27 college basketball season start?

Sunday, November 1, 2026, with Notre Dame vs. Villanova in Rome at 9:30 a.m. ET on FOX. The full slate of opening games is Monday, November 2.

When is the 2027 national championship game?

Monday, April 5, 2027. This is the first season with a 76-team NCAA tournament.

Can I watch college basketball for free?

Games on FOX, CBS and NBC are free with an antenna. Most other games need a streaming service.

Where do Big Ten games stream?

Big Ten games are on FOX, CBS, NBC, Peacock, Big Ten Network and B1G+. Peacock has 31 Big Ten games this season.

How do I watch TNT college basketball games?

TNT and truTV games stream on HBO Max and on live TV streaming services that carry TNT.