How To Watch the Birmingham Bowl: Georgia Southern vs. App State
Get ready for the 2025 Birmingham Bowl
Birmingham has always been a college football hotbed, serving as the headquarters for the SEC and hosting passionate fanbases that live and breathe the sport. The JLab Birmingham Bowl captures that intensity, and this year features Georgia Southern and App State. While the move from the historic Legion Field to the modern Protective Stadium upgraded the amenities, the game still maintains the gritty, hard-hitting reputation of the Iron City.
On the field, we often see a distinct motivation gap, where an AAC team views this as their Super Bowl while an SEC opponent might be licking their wounds from a tough November. That dynamic historically leads to wild upsets and high-scoring affairs, making it one of the more unpredictable matchups of the post-Christmas slate.
If you are looking to catch the action from the comfort of your couch rather than fighting for a parking spot in the Uptown district, I have you covered. This guide breaks down exactly how to tune in, which streaming services offer the best value, and what you need to know before kickoff.
What channel shows the Birmingham Bowl?
You can watch the 2025 Birmingham Bowl live on ESPN. The game is scheduled for Monday, December 29, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. ET. Coverage typically begins shortly before the game starts, featuring analysis from the booth and sideline reports from Protective Stadium.
Best TV plans for watching the Birmingham Bowl
I always point college football fans toward Hulu + Live TV as the premier option for bowl season. It includes ESPN for the Birmingham Bowl and covers the vast majority of other postseason games, plus you get ESPN Select and Disney+ bundled in for no extra cost. It is the most robust way to ensure you do not miss a single snap, whether you are watching the main broadcast or streaming a sky-cam view on the app.
If you are working with a tighter budget, Sling TV is my go-to recommendation. The Sling Orange package is one of the cheapest ways to get a live feed of ESPN. You will miss out on local channels like ABC or FOX in some markets, but for a game strictly airing on cable, Sling provides exactly what you need without the bloated price tag.
How to watch the Birmingham Bowl FAQ
How can I watch the Birmingham Bowl for free?
You can watch the game for free by signing up for a free trial of a live TV streaming service like Fubo or YouTube TV, which both carry ESPN.
Can I stream the Birmingham Bowl on the ESPN app?
Yes, you can stream the Birmingham Bowl on the ESPN app by authenticating with your TV provider credentials or by subscribing directly to ESPN Unlimited.
Where is the Birmingham Bowl played?
The game is played at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, which replaced Legion Field as the host venue.
What conferences play in the Birmingham Bowl?
The game primarily features a matchup between teams from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the American Athletic Conference (AAC).
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com editorial team researched the Birmingham Bowl’s official broadcast rights and cross-referenced them with the channel lineups of every major TV provider. We then selected our viewing recommendations based on our hands-on testing, identifying the most cost-effective and straightforward ways for you to watch the game.
To learn more about our methods, check out our How We Rank page.
