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The Iowa Hawkeyes have enjoyed plenty of success in recent seasons. But they’re still missing something from their resume: a College Football Playoff appearance.
With the recently expanded field, the Hawkeyes are eying a CFP berth. They finished the 2025 season 9-4 and ranked No. 17 in the Associated Press Top 25. If the team can get an extra win or two in 2026, it could be looking at history.
Ready to watch Iowa Hawkeyes football all season long? This guide covers the team’s full schedule and the best TV plans and streaming services for following every game.
2026 Iowa Hawkeyes TV schedule
Iowa’s schedule is chock-full of titillating matchups and opportunities to improve on its solid 2025 season. Keep an eye out for the in-state rivalry game with Iowa State on September 12 and the Black Friday game against Nebraska on November 27.
Check the schedule table below for the latest kickoff times and channel listings. We’ll update it as additional details come to light.
| Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Illinois | Saturday, Sept. 5 | 4:15 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Iowa State | Saturday, Sept. 12 | 7:30 p.m. | NBC, Peacock Premium |
| Northern Iowa | Saturday, Sept. 19 | 4:00 p.m. | FS1 |
| At Michigan | Saturday, Sept. 26 | TBA | TBA |
| Ohio State | Saturday, Oct. 3 | TBA | TBA |
| At Washington | Friday, Oct. 9 | 9:00 p.m. | FOX or FS1 |
| At Minnesota | Saturday, Oct. 24 | TBA | TBA |
| Wisconsin | Saturday, Oct. 31 | TBA | TBA |
| At Northwestern | Saturday, Nov. 7 | TBA | TBA |
| Purdue | Saturday, Nov. 14 | TBA | TBA |
| At Illinois | Saturday, Nov. 21 | TBA | TBA |
| Nebraska | Friday, Nov. 27 | 12:00 p.m. | CBS |
Best TV plans for watching Iowa Hawkeyes football
The Iowa Hawkeyes will appear on several TV channels during the 2026 season, including Big Ten Network, CBS, FOX, and NBC. Some games may also stream exclusively on Peacock Premium, and many bowl games will air on ESPN platforms.
Whether you want a comprehensive TV plan with dozens of channels or like to go the individual streaming service route, we have you covered with recommendations for the best services to watch Iowa football. Check out more details below.
Best Overall
YouTube TV carries every channel you’ll need to watch the Hawkeyes in 2026, including Big Ten Network, in its base plan.
Exclusive Games
Any games airing on NBC will also stream on Peacock Premium. Additional Peacock-exclusive Big Ten games could be assigned later in the season.
All FOX Sports Games
The Hawkeyes will have several games air on FOX Sports channels in 2026. This is a low-cost, standalone streaming option for fans.
Live CBS Broadcasts
Paramount+ Premium streams live CBS broadcasts, including Iowa’s Black Friday matchup with Nebraska.
How to watch Iowa Hawkeyes football FAQ
Where can I watch the Iowa Hawkeyes for free?
You can stream Iowa Hawkeyes games with a DIRECTV free trial, but be aware of local blackouts and games exclusive to other platforms. You can also watch any games airing on your local ABC, CBS, FOX, or NBC station for free with an over-the-air antenna.
Where can I stream Iowa Hawkeyes games if I don't have cable?
YouTube TV and DIRECTV are two strong options for streaming Iowa football without cable because they carry the team's core channels where available. A separate Peacock Premium subscription may still be necessary for exclusive games.
Can I watch Iowa Hawkeyes football on Peacock?
Yes, the Hawkeyes' games on NBC also stream via Peacock's premium plans. Additional Iowa matchups could appear exclusively on Peacock later in the season.
How do I watch Iowa Hawkeyes football if I live out of state?
Out-of-state fans can generally watch Iowa football through the same channels and streaming services listed above. Most games use national or conference television rights rather than a regional sports network, although local broadcast-channel availability varies by market.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Junior Sports Writer, Alex Vejar, cross-referenced the official Iowa Hawkeyes football schedule with the channel lineups of every major TV provider. Using those details, he 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.
