✦ Edited and fact-checked by David Vick, our Contributing Writer, with over five years covering sports.
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California football starts a new era in 2026, and they’re hoping it’ll be a golden one. Tosh Lupoi, a Cal alum and former Oregon defensive coordinator, takes over a bowl team that went 7–6 last fall. As with most schools, the success of this year’s team will largely depend on lefty quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. The Hawaiian native has been named to the Davey O’Brien Award Preseason Watch List as he enters year two under center.
Cal’s first five games will appear on ACC Network, CBS Sports Network, and ESPN. With college football games often running long in their TV windows, it’s possible some games could start on the conference’s digital-only overflow platform, ACC Network Extra. All in all, be ready to tune into a bunch of channels to watch the Golden Bears this season.
This guide has everything you need to watch California Golden Bears football in 2026, from the complete schedule to the best way to cover Cal’s channel mix. For the rest of the FBS viewing picture, check out How To Watch College Football.
2026 California Golden Bears TV schedule
The Golden Bears open with in-state rival UCLA in the Bear Bowl, a game that will set the tone for the season. Two weeks after taking on Syracuse in upstate New York, Cal plays host to the Clemson Tigers on September 25 in what should be a high-scoring affair. Later in the season, the Golden Bears welcome the Stanford Cardinal for the 129th edition of the Big Game on November 21. You can throw out the records for that one — when these two rivals meet, anything can happen.
Check the schedule table below for official game times and TV assignments as they are released. For a week-by-week view of the national lineup, our College Football TV Schedule guide has you covered.
CFB - California Golden Bears Schedule
| Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
UCLA Bruins | Saturday, Sept. 5 | 10:30 p.m. | |
Saturday, Sept. 12 | 3:30 p.m. | ||
Wagner Seahawks | Saturday, Sept. 19 | 3:30 p.m. | |
Friday, Sept. 25 | 10:30 p.m. | ||
At UNLV Rebels | Saturday, Oct. 3 | 3:30 p.m. | |
Virginia Tech Hokies | Saturday, Oct. 10 | TBD | TBD |
Wake Forest Demon Deacons | Saturday, Oct. 17 | TBD | TBD |
At SMU Mustangs | Saturday, Oct. 24 | TBD | TBD |
Saturday, Oct. 31 | TBD | TBD | |
At Virginia Cavaliers | Saturday, Nov. 14 | TBD | TBD |
Stanford Cardinal | Saturday, Nov. 21 | TBD | TBD |
Pittsburgh Panthers | Saturday, Nov. 28 | TBD | TBD |
Best TV plans for watching California Golden Bears football
YouTube TV is the simplest core plan for fans because the Golden Bears’ confirmed games span ESPN, ACC Network, and CBS Sports Network. With The CW also in the ACC’s regular-season broadcast rotation, it’s another channel you’ll want access to. The CW games will stream in the ESPN App as part of ESPN Unlimited, proof that more college football games are being broadcast on streaming platforms like Disney+.
The key is to first choose your live-TV coverage plan, then account for the conference’s streaming-specific options. We made these recommendations using the channel, cost, and ease-of-use approach in our Editorial Policy; compare the alternatives in Best Streaming Services for Sports.
Best Overall
For any fan seeking the most complete, all-in-one California Golden Bears TV package, we recommend the YouTube TV Sports Plan. It includes every national channel you need to enjoy all the action — currently at the unbeatable price of $54.99/mo. for 12 mos.
Best for ACC Games
ESPN Unlimited covers every game on the ACC Network. It also provides access to Cal games that could potentially land on The CW or start late on ACC Network Extra, making this the best option for fans who want to avoid a robust live TV subscription.
How to watch California Golden Bears football FAQ
Where can I watch the California Golden Bears for free?
You can stream at least one California Golden Bears game with a DIRECTV free trial, but streaming-only conference windows require another service. You can also watch any Cal game airing on your local ABC, CBS, FOX, or NBC station for free with an over-the-air antenna.
Where can I stream California Golden Bears games if I don't have cable?
As we recommended above, YouTube TV is a great cable-free viewing option for California Golden Bears games in 2026. Another option is Hulu + Live TV. It offers the core channels and includes ESPN Unlimited, which provides access to all Cal games on ESPN networks, including the ACC Network.
Can I watch California Golden Bears football on The CW?
Yes, if a California game is selected to air on The CW. The ACC's 2026 football broadcasts on The CW will also stream live in the ESPN App thanks to ESPN Unlimited.
How do I watch California Golden Bears football if I live out of state?
Out-of-state fans can typically watch California Golden Bears football with the same channels and streaming services we recommended above. College football distribution is based on national and conference rights, not a local home-market package.
What other channels will California Golden Bears football games air on?
Channel designations for future games will be announced throughout the season on either a 12-day or six-day selection process, according to the ACC.
CableTV.com editors created this article using original analysis and proprietary inputs, with AI tools assisting in drafting. The final content was reviewed and edited for accuracy and quality.
