How To Watch the Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Mississippi State vs. Wake Forest
Get ready for the 2026 Duke’s Mayo Bowl
If you ask me, the Duke’s Mayo Bowl is the crown jewel of college football for sickos. Sure, the College Football Playoff has the prestige, but does it have a winning coach getting doused in 4.5 gallons of mayonnaise? Absolutely not.
Played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, this game embraces its weirdness with open arms. This year, Mississippi State and Wake Forest will be engrossed in a battle that should feel more like a chaotic celebration of the sport than a buttoned-up corporate event.
Whether you’re tuning in for the “mayo dump” tradition—where we all anxiously debate the condiment’s viscosity—or just looking to catch one of the most entertaining mid-tier matchups of the season, you’re in for a treat. The atmosphere in Charlotte is always electric, and the on-field product usually delivers a gritty, physical contest perfect for a post-New Year’s football hangover.
My goal with this guide is to cut through the noise and get you straight to the action. I’ll break down exactly when the game kicks off, which channel has the broadcast rights, and the smartest ways to stream the game—including the new standalone options that make cord-cutting easier than ever.
What channel shows the Duke’s Mayo Bowl?
You can watch the 2026 Duke’s Mayo Bowl live on ESPN on Friday, January 2. The game will kick off at 8:00 p.m. ET.
If you’re planning your day around the game, keep in mind that the broadcast typically runs about 3.5 hours. But I strongly recommend staying tuned after the final whistle. The “mayo bath” ceremony happens roughly 10–15 minutes after the game ends. And trust me, you don’t want to miss the sheer absurdity of a grown man accepting a cooler of watered-down mayonnaise as a trophy.
Best TV plans for watching the Duke’s Mayo Bowl
Since ESPN has the exclusive rights to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, you need a plan that includes the main ESPN network. If you want the most comprehensive sports coverage, I recommend Hulu + Live TV. It includes ESPN, FS1, and local networks for other bowl games, plus it bundles in Disney+ and ESPN Select for on-demand content. It’s a reliable option that ensures you won’t miss a single snap of bowl season.
For those who just want the game without paying for channels they’ll never watch, the new standalone service, ESPN Unlimited, is my top budget pick. Launched just in time for the 2025–2026 season, this direct-to-consumer offering lets you stream the linear ESPN feed without a cable contract. It’s significantly cheaper than a full live TV bundle and perfect if you only care about sports.
If you prefer a traditional channel grid but still want to save money, Sling TV‘s Orange package remains a solid alternative. It’s one of the most affordable ways to get the linear ESPN channel, though the interface feels a bit dated compared to other services.
How to watch the Duke’s May Bowl FAQ
How can I watch the Duke’s Mayo Bowl for free?
Since the game airs on ESPN, there is no free over-the-air broadcast. But you can sign up for a free trial of a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV or Fubo to watch the game without paying upfront.
Can I stream the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on the ESPN app?
Yes, you can stream the game on the ESPN app either by signing up for the new standalone ESPN Unlimited subscription or by authenticating with your existing cable/satellite TV provider credentials.
Where is the Duke's Mayo Bowl played?
The game is played annually at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. That's the home field for the NFL's Carolina Panthers.
What conferences play in the Duke's Mayo Bowl?
The bowl features a tie-in matchup between the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and the Southeastern Conference (SEC). It’s the perfect setting for reviving regional rivalries right on the border of both conferences' footprints.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com editorial team researched the Duke’s Mayo 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.
