How To Watch Illinois Fighting Illini Women’s Basketball
✦ Edited and fact-checked by Junior Sports Writer Alex Vejar, who has more than 10 years of experience covering sports.
A new era in Champaign
The “wait and see” period is officially over for Illinois women’s basketball fans. After a foundational run last year, Shauna Green’s squad has arrived in the 2025–26 season with serious intentions, and that 78–57 drubbing of Indiana on December 6 was the loudest statement possible.
This roster has matured beautifully, moving away from a reliance on the transfer portal to trusting a developed core that finally looks ready to compete for a top spot in the expanded Big Ten.
What excites me most isn’t just the wins—it’s the sustainability of the product on the floor. The chemistry looks tangible, and the euphoria in Champaign is justified. Fans aren’t just hoping for a tournament bid anymore—they expect one. With a roster that’s clicking at the right time and a schedule that offers plenty of opportunities to climb the rankings, this winter is shaping up to be special at the State Farm Center.
This guide is designed to make sure you don’t miss a single layup or defensive stop during this breakout campaign. I’ve broken down exactly which channels you need to watch Illinois women’s basketball live, the most cost-effective streaming bundles to get them, and how to navigate the tricky world of exclusive streaming games.
2025–26 Illinois women’s basketball TV schedule
Navigating the Big Ten broadcast map can be a headache, particularly with the amount of streaming exclusives. But I’ve got you covered.
Most games are on either the Big Ten Network or its streaming arm, B1G+. As conference play ramps up in the new year, there will also be games on FS1 and Peacock Premium.
| Opponent | Day | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Missouri State Redhawks | Tuesday, Nov. 4 | 7:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| Illinois State Redbirds | Sunday, Nov. 9 | 1:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| At Oregon State Beavers | Friday, Nov. 14 | 9:00 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Murray State Racers | Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 12:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| At Florida State Seminoles | Sunday, Nov. 23 | 2:00 p.m. | ACCNX |
| Western Kentucky Lady Toppers | Wednesday, Nov. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| Le Moyne Dolphins | Sunday, Nov. 30 | 3:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| Bellarmine Knights | Tuesday, Dec. 2 | 7:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| Indiana Hoosiers | Saturday, Dec. 6 | 12:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Missouri Tigers | Wednesday, Dec. 10 | 7:00 p.m. | SEC Network |
| North Texas Mean Green | Sunday, Dec. 14 | 3:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| Jackson State Lady Tigers | Friday, Dec. 19 | 7:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| At Purdue Boilermakers | Sunday, Dec. 28 | 12:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Maryland Terrapins | Thursday, Jan. 1 | 4:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Michigan State Spartans | Sunday, Jan. 4 | 12:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Ohio State Buckeyes | Wednesday, Jan. 7 | 7:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| At Penn State Nittany Lions | Sunday, Jan. 11 | 3:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Michigan Wolverines | Thursday, Jan. 15 | 7:00 p.m. | Peacock Premium |
| Northwestern Wildcats | Sunday, Jan. 18 | 3:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| At Nebraska Cornhuskers | Saturday, Jan. 24 | 2:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| UCLA Bruins | Wednesday, Jan. 28 | 7:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| At Washington Huskies | Sunday, Feb. 1 | 6:00 p.m. | FS1 |
| At Oregon Ducks | Wednesday, Feb. 4 | 9:00 p.m. | TBA |
| USC Trojans | Sunday, Feb. 8 | 1:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Wisconsin Badgers | Wednesday, Feb. 11 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Rutgers Scarlet Knights | Tuesday, Feb. 17 | 7:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Northwestern Wildcats | Sunday, Feb. 22 | 3:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Iowa Hawkeyes | Thursday, Feb. 26 | 9:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Minnesota Golden Gophers | Sunday, March 1 | 3:00 p.m. | TBA |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for Illinois women’s basketball
If you want to catch every Shauna Green masterclass this season, you need a TV package that prioritizes the Big Ten Network (BTN). My top recommendation for cord-cutters is Hulu + Live TV. It includes BTN and FS1 in its base plan, ensuring you get the vast majority of conference matchups.
Because NBCUniversal has locked down exclusive rights to roughly 20–25 Big Ten games this season, a Peacock Premium subscription will get you the January clash with Michigan.
For the diehards who need to see every single minute, including early non-conference games against smaller schools, you might also consider a B1G+ subscription. While not necessary for the casual viewer, it covers untelevised conference games against UCLA, Northwestern, and others.
How to watch Illinois women’s basketball FAQ
How can I watch Illinois women's basketball for free?
It will be difficult to watch Illinois women's basketball for free in 2025–2026. Your best bet is a free trial to a live TV streaming service, like Hulu + Live TV or DIRECTV. Those trials won't cover you for the entire season, though.
How can I stream the Fighting Illini without cable?
Hulu + Live TV is my favorite option because it carries the Big Ten Network and FS1. You will also need a separate subscriptions to Peacock Premium and B1G+ for exclusive streaming-only games.
Can I watch Illinois women's basketball on Peacock?
Yes. One game this season will stream exclusively this season—January 15 against Michigan. Peacock holds exclusive broadcasting rights to several Big Ten regular-season games and early tournament rounds, so you could watch other teams on the platform if you choose.
How can I watch Illinois in March Madness?
The NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament airs exclusively across the ESPN family of networks and ABC. You will need a TV provider that carries ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC to watch the entire tournament.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com editorial team cross-referenced the official Illinois women’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.
