Head coach Matt Campbell cemented his status as an elite program-builder last season, leading Iowa State to its first 11-win season in program history. That historic run, capped by a thrilling Pop-Tarts Bowl victory and a top-15 finish, has set a new standard in Ames. With star quarterback Rocco Becht back to lead the offense, the Cyclones are poised for another exciting run.
The great news for fans is that you can follow this journey on national TV all year. Thanks to the Big 12’s media deals, you’ll find their games spread across the conference’s main partners: FOX Sports, ESPN, and TNT Sports.
Of course, the scope of channels and streaming platforms can make tuning in a challenge. That’s why I’ve put together this complete guide to help you watch every Iowa State football game this season.
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2025 Iowa State football TV schedule
A few massive, high-profile matchups highlight the 2025 Iowa State schedule. It all kicks off with a huge Week 0 conference showdown against Kansas State all the way over in Dublin, Ireland.
Just two weeks later, the intensity dials up for the always-heated Cy–Hawk rivalry game against Iowa. Add in a tough late-season road trip to face an offensively solid TCU squad, and you have the key games that will define the season.
For me, this season is all about how the Cyclones perform in those big moments. If they can win the rivalry games at home and prove their mettle on the road, they’ll be in for another positive year. I’ve put together the full 2025 TV schedule below and will update the broadcast info weekly, so you can follow every step of the journey.
| Opponent | Day | Time (ET)/Result | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| At Kansas State Wildcats (#17) | Saturday, Aug. 23 | W 24–21 | ESPN |
| South Dakota Coyotes | Saturday, Aug. 30 | W 55–7 | FOX |
| Iowa Hawkeyes | Saturday, Sept. 6 | W 16–13 | FOX |
| At Arkansas State Red Wolves | Saturday, Sept. 13 | W 24–16 | ESPN2 |
| Arizona Wildcats | Saturday, Sept. 27 | W 39–14 | ESPN |
| At Cincinnati Bearcats | Saturday, Oct. 4 | L 30–38 | ESPN2 |
| At Colorado Buffaloes | Saturday, Oct. 11 | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| BYU Cougars (#18) | Saturday, Oct. 25 | TBD | TBA |
| Arizona State Sun Devils (#21) | Saturday, Nov. 1 | TBD | TBA |
| At TCU Horned Frogs | Saturday, Nov. 8 | TBD | TBA |
| Kansas Jayhawks | Saturday, Nov. 22 | TBD | TBA |
| At Oklahoma State Cowboys | Saturday, Nov. 29 | TBD | TBA |
Data effective as of post date. All listed rankings are from the AP Top 25 poll at the time of the matchup.
Best TV plans for watching Iowa State football
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Being a Cyclones fan in the streaming era means you need a TV plan that covers two bases: the traditional TV channels and the must-have streaming exclusives on ESPN+. That’s why my top recommendation is Hulu + Live TV. It’s the best all-in-one solution because a single subscription gets you all the essential channels and completely integrated ESPN+ access at no extra cost.
That ESPN+ subscription is your ticket to the Big 12 Now hub, where you’ll find several Iowa State athletics events streaming each season. Without ESPN+, you’re guaranteed to miss at least one game from the school’s football schedule. On top of that, you get unlimited DVR storage to record any game you can’t watch live. For a Cyclones fan, that’s a TV package you can’t pass up.
How to watch Iowa State Cyclones football FAQ
Where can I watch the Iowa State Cyclones for free?
Your best option for free Cyclones football is a digital antenna, which gets you any games on your local ABC and FOX stations. For games on cable channels like ESPN or FS1, you can use a free trial from a streaming service like DIRECTV or Fubo to get temporary access.
Where can I stream Iowa State football games without cable?
My top recommendation is Hulu + Live TV because it’s the best all-in-one package for a Cyclones fan. Its base plan includes ABC, FOX, ESPN, and FS1, and it also bundles in ESPN+, which is essential for streaming exclusive Big 12 games.
Can I watch Iowa State football on ESPN+?
Yes, an ESPN+ subscription is essential for any serious Cyclones fan. Several Iowa State games each season will stream exclusively on ESPN+ as part of the conference’s Big 12 Now platform, and you won’t find them anywhere else.
How do I watch Iowa State football if I live out of state?
Since Iowa State’s games are on national networks like ESPN and FS1, or streaming on ESPN+, your location in the U.S. doesn’t matter. A good streaming service like Hulu + Live TV will give you the same access as a fan in Ames.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, cross-referenced the official Iowa State Cyclones football schedule with the channel lineups of every major TV provider. Using those details, he selected our viewing recommendations based on channel availability, pricing, and ease of use.
This guide is updated regularly throughout the season to ensure our information is accurate. To learn more about our methods, check out our How We Rank page.
