How To Watch Duke Blue Devils Men’s Basketball in 2025
✦ Edited and fact-checked by Managing Editor Mike Strayer, our editorial lead with over 10 years of experience covering TV and sports.
A quick snapshot of the 2025–2026 Duke men’s basketball season
Last season was a roaring success for Duke: a 35-4 record, ACC regular season and tournament championships, and a Final Four run. That magical season was orchestrated by generational talent Cooper Flagg, who went on to be the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Of course, Flagg wasn’t the only Blue Devil to go pro. A talent exodus like that would cripple most programs, but at Duke, it’s just called “The Reload.” Now, all eyes turn to another No. 1 recruiting class, this one headlined by the sons of a Blue Devil legend.
The expectations are “Final Four or bust,” and Duke’s schedule is absolutely brutal. This high-profile slate means the Blue Devils will be all over national TV, primarily on the ESPN channels (including the crucial ACC Network) and with major showcases on CBS and FOX.
To make sure you don’t miss a single crossover from Cayden Boozer or post-move from Cameron Boozer, I’ve built this complete guide on how to watch Duke basketball all season long. I’ll cover the full channel list, my top streaming recommendations, and the key dates to circle on your calendar.
2025–2026 Duke men’s basketball TV schedule
The season tips off on Tuesday, November 4, with a tough matchup against Texas in Charlotte. From there, the “nasty” non-conference schedule doesn’t let up, featuring showdowns with Kansas (Champions Classic), Arkansas (Thanksgiving Classic), Florida (ACC/SEC Challenge), and a road trip to Michigan State. The new ACC realities also set in, with a mid-January road trip to face new conference members Cal and Stanford.
As always, the dates every fan circles are for the sport’s best rivalry. The first Duke vs UNC basketball clash of 2026 is set for Saturday, February 7, in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels will make the return trip for the regular-season finale at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Saturday, March 7.
Here is a look at every game and channel on the 2025–2026 Duke basketball schedule. As TV schedules solidify, we’ll update this page with the latest channel and streaming info.
| Opponent | Day | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | Tuesday, Nov. 4 | 8:45 p.m. | ESPN |
| Western Carolina Catamounts | Saturday, Nov. 8 | TBD | The CW |
| At Army Black Knights | Tuesday, Nov. 11 | TBD | CBS Sports Network |
| Indiana State Sycamores | Friday, Nov. 14 | 7:00 p.m. | ACC Network |
| Kansas (#19) | Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 9:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| Niagara Purple Eagles | Friday, Nov. 21 | 7:00 p.m. | ACC Network |
| Howard Bison | Sunday, Nov. 23 | 4:00 p.m. | ACC Network |
| At Arkansas (#14) | Thursday, Nov. 27 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Florida (#3) | Tuesday, Dec. 2 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| At Michigan State Spartans (#22) | Saturday, Dec. 6 | TBD | TBA |
| Lipscomb Bisons | Tuesday, Dec. 16 | 6:00 p.m. | ACC Network |
| Texas Tech (#10) | Saturday, Dec. 20 | 8:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| At Florida State Seminoles | Saturday, Jan. 3 | TBD | TBA |
| At Louisville Cardinals (#11) | Tuesday, Jan. 6 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| SMU Mustangs | Saturday, Jan. 10 | 2:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| At California Golden Bears | Wednesday, Jan. 14 | 11:00 p.m. | ACC Network |
| At Stanford Cardinal | Saturday, Jan. 17 | 6:00 p.m. | ACC Network |
| Wake Forest Demon Deacons | Saturday, Jan. 24 | TBD | TBA |
| Louisville Cardinals (#11) | Monday, Jan. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| Boston College Eagles | Tuesday, Feb. 3 | 7:00 p.m. | ACC Network |
| At North Carolina (#25) | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| At Pittsburgh Panthers | Tuesday, Feb. 10 | TBD | TBA |
| Clemson Tigers | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 12:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| Syracuse Orange | Monday, Feb. 16 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| Michigan (#7) | Saturday, Feb. 21 | TBD | TBA |
| At Notre Dame Fighting Irish | Tuesday, Feb. 24 | TBD | TBA |
| At NC State Wolfpack | Monday, March 2 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| North Carolina (#25) | Saturday, March 7 | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for watching Duke men’s basketball
To be a dedicated Duke fan, you absolutely must have access to the ESPN family of channels. More importantly, you need the ACC Network (ACCN). This one channel airs a huge chunk of conference games and key non-conference matchups. Without it, you’re missing at least a dozen games. You’ll also need your local CBS, FOX, and The CW affiliates for the big network games, plus TBS, TNT, and truTV for March Madness.
My top recommendation for a comprehensive Duke basketball live stream is Hulu + Live TV. It’s the most straightforward package. It includes all the ESPN channels, ACCN, your local channels, and all the Turner channels (TBS, TNT, and truTV) for the NCAA Tournament, all in one subscription. As a huge bonus, it now bundles in Disney+ and ESPN+.
Fubo and DIRECTV are also excellent choices, as both carry ACCN. But you’ll need to check their packages closely. Fubo, for instance, has ACCN but has historically lacked the Turner channels you’ll need for March. Sling TV is a solid budget option—you’ll need the Sling Orange plan (for ESPN) plus the Sports Extra add-on (for ACCN). The main drawback is that you’ll likely need a separate digital antenna to get your local CBS and FOX games for free.
How to watch Duke men’s basketball FAQ
Where can I watch Duke men's basketball for free?
Finding a legal free Duke basketball live stream is difficult. Your best bet is using a free trial for a live TV streaming service like Fubo or DIRECTV. Additionally, any games broadcast on The CW or your local CBS/FOX affiliate can be watched for free with a simple over-the-air (OTA) antenna.
How can I stream Duke basketball without cable?
The best way to stream Duke basketball without cable is with a live TV streaming service. My top picks are Hulu + Live TV or DIRECTV, as both carry the entire lineup of channels you need, including ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, FOX, and the all-important ACC Network.
Can I watch Duke basketball on ESPN+?
Sometimes, but not directly. ESPN+ does not carry the live games shown on ESPN, ESPN2, or the ACC Network. However, it often simulcasts games from ACC Network Extra (ACCNX), which are typically lower-profile matchups. For better coverage, you'll want ESPN Unlimited or a live TV streaming service like Hulu + Live TV.
What is ACC Network Extra (ACCNX) and how do I get it?
ACC Network Extra (ACCNX) is a digital-only streaming channel, not a regular TV channel. It's used for games that aren't picked up by ACCN or other ESPN networks. You get access to ACCNX streams through the ESPN app by signing in with a live TV provider login (like Hulu + Live TV or Fubo) if your plan includes the regular ACC Network.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com editorial team cross-referenced the official Duke men’s basketball schedule with the channel lineups of every major TV provider. Using those details, we 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.
