The 2026 Holiday Bowl will feature no shortage of action as the Arizona Wildcats face the SMU Mustangs on Friday, January 2. Whether you’re in it for the high-octane offense or just need an excuse to watch football in sunny San Diego, this is one of the premier matchups on the calendar.
Beyond the gridiron, the game carries its own unique traditions. It starts with the massive balloon parade before kickoff. Then, it typically ends with the winning coach getting a ceremonial eggnog shower. In other words, you won’t want to miss a single moment of this bowl game’s 46th edition.
Fortunately, finding the game on your TV is the easy part. I’m here to outline exactly how to watch the Holiday Bowl live on FOX, listing the best TV plans so you can focus on the gridiron showdown.
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What channel shows the Holiday Bowl?
FOX and Fox Deportes will nationally televise the 2026 Holiday Bowl, kicking off at 8:00 p.m. ET on Friday, January 2.
Earlier on game day, fans can also enjoy the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade. The festive celebration will stream live on CBS8+ and WFAA+ at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Want radio coverage? You can listen to the Holiday Bowl live on SiriusXM via FOX Sports (ch. 83).
Holiday Bowl 2026 preview: Arizona vs. SMU
The 2025–2026 bowl season brings the Arizona Wildcats to Snapdragon Stadium for their third Holiday Bowl, while the SMU Mustangs make their second appearance. This game marks the third meeting between the two teams—Arizona blew out SMU, 28–6, in their most recent matchup in 1985.
I broke down each team below so you can look the smartest college football aficionado at the watch party.
Arizona on a hot streak
The Wildcats have a ton of momentum coming into the Holiday Bowl.
After a two-game skid in mid-October, Arizona ran off five straight wins. Two of them were blowouts over Colorado and Baylor. Two others were Top 25 wins over Cincinnati and Arizona State.
The Wildcats are led by quarterback Noah Fifita, who has amassed nearly 3,000 passing yards and thrown for 26 touchdowns. He’s also the team’s third-best rusher with 358 yards.
Ismail Mahdi should get the bulk of the running opportunities, though. He has 122 carries for 826 yards going into the bowl game. Kedrick Reescano has significantly less yardage, but leads the team with nine rushing TDs.
The key for the Wildcats? Just keep doing what they’ve been doing. They do that, and coach Bret Brennan will have a head full of eggnog.
Bowl Prep 🎳 pic.twitter.com/7LciKRZNen
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) December 9, 2025
Quarterback play and pass defense are the keys for SMU
SMU doesn’t have the best track record against Big 12 teams this season, losing to both Baylor and TCU. So if the Mustangs want to turn that trend around against the red-hot Arizona, they’re gonna have to play their best football of the year.
Luckily for the Mustangs, quarterback Kevin Jennings is a stud. He’s top 10 in the country in passing yards with 3,363. They also have a really balanced run attack, and are beating opponents by an average of more than 12 points per game.
Defensively, SMU has been successful in stopping the run. But it’s the pass defense that needs to be on point if the Mustangs want to beat Arizona.
Headed to San Diego 🌴 pic.twitter.com/nwyUiiVWDR
— SMU Football (@SMUFB) December 7, 2025
Best Holiday Bowl TV plans
Hulu + Live TV has been my go-to service for college football this season, and it’s a top pick for the postseason, too. With FOX, ESPN, and more in its lineup, it covers the Holiday Bowl and all other bowl games.
Of course, you shouldn’t have to sign up for a full TV subscription if you’re only looking to watch the Holiday Bowl. Instead, a budget-friendly over-the-air (OTA) antenna can pick up your local FOX affiliate station.
Use Antenna Direct’s TV Transmitter Tool to check FOX’s availability in your area. If you’re in range, a one-time antenna purchase will have you set. I often recommend the Mohu Leaf 50 for its reliable reception, sleek design, and 4K capabilities.
Most TV providers offer FOX, but its availability may depend on your plan and location. Below is a table highlighting popular TV services and whether they carry FOX.
Data effective as of post date.
*Available only in select markets.
How to watch the Holiday Bowl FAQ
How can I stream the Holiday Bowl for free?
You can stream the Holiday Bowl for free using a live TV free trial from services like DIRECTV and Fubo. I like DIRECTV's free trial because it lasts five days and has every bowl game channel, including ABC, FOX, and ESPN.
When and where is the Holiday Bowl?
The 2026 Holiday Bowl will occur on Friday, January 2, at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California. The matchup will kick off just after 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
What is the most points ever scored in the Holiday Bowl?
Texas A&M scored 65 points against BYU in the 1990 Holiday Bowl.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, analyzed this season’s college football bowl schedule, verifying start times and channel listings. Using that information, he compiled this Holiday Bowl viewing guide and selected his TV provider recommendations based on channel availability, pricing, and overall bowl game coverage. Additionally, Taylor drew from his extensive research and firsthand knowledge of the college football season to analyze this year’s Holiday Bowl matchup.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
