How To Watch Iowa Hawkeyes Women’s Basketball in 2025
✦ Edited and fact-checked by Sports Editor Taylor Kujawa, our resident TV expert with over eight years of covering sports.
A closer look at Iowa women’s basketball
Head coach Jan Jensen’s first chapter with the Hawkeyes was a roaring success. Tasked with replacing a generational superstar, she led the team to a 23–11 record and a seventh consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. That proved the program’s foundation was solid, anchored by the one-two punch of returning star Hannah Stuelke and star transfer Lucy Olsen. Now, with Olsen off to the WNBA, the 2025–2026 season marks a new chapter for Iowa basketball.
This is officially Stuelke’s team. The All-Big Ten forward is the undisputed primary option, and the entire offense will run through her. Sure, the “Caitlin Clark Effect” is still paying dividends. Carver-Hawkeye Arena is sold out for the third straight season, and the roster is loaded with new talent like Georgia Tech transfer ‘Chit-Chat’ Wright and a high-profile freshman class. But the core fan debate is who will replace Olsen’s ball handling and distribution. The answer to that question will determine this team’s ceiling as it navigates a demanding Big Ten season.
The program’s sustained national spotlight means its TV schedule is more fragmented than ever. You’ll find games on traditional broadcasters like FOX and NBC, as well as premium networks like ESPN, FS1, and Big Ten Network. But what really throws things for a loop are the streaming exclusives on B1G+ and Peacock. In this guide, I’ll simplify this complex viewing landscape and provide a clear plan for how to watch Iowa women’s basketball all season.
2025–2026 Iowa women’s basketball TV schedule
The Hawkeyes’ regular season tips off in Iowa City on Monday, November 3, against Southern University. The schedule wastes no time in testing Jensen’s roster, culminating in a massive non-conference showdown with UConn on December 20 in Brooklyn.
Big Ten play begins December 6 on the road at Rutgers and features a major New Year’s Day rivalry game at home against Nebraska. From there, the conference schedule includes nationally televised road trips to Maryland (Jan. 22 on NBC) and UCLA (Feb. 1 on FOX), which will be critical tests for the Hawkeyes’ tournament resume.
Check out the full Hawkeyes TV schedule in the table below, which I’ll keep updated as the season progresses.
| Opponent | Day | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Jaguars | Monday, Nov. 3 | 7:30 p.m. | B1G+ |
| Evansville Purple Aces | Sunday, Nov. 9 | 4:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| Drake Bulldogs | Thursday, Nov. 13 | 8:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Northern Iowa Panthers | Sunday, Nov. 16 | 3:00 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| At Baylor (#16) | Thursday, Nov. 20 | 9:00 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| Miami Hurricanes | Saturday, Nov. 22 | 8:00 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Western Illinois Leathernecks | Wednesday, Nov. 26 | 7:30 p.m. | TBA |
| Fairfield Stags | Sunday, Nov. 30 | 1:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Rutgers Scarlet Knights | Saturday, Dec. 6 | 6:00 p.m. | FS1 |
| At Iowa State (#14) | Wednesday, Dec. 10 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| Lindenwood Lions | Saturday, Dec. 13 | 3:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At UConn (#1) | Saturday, Dec. 20 | 1:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Penn State Lady Lions | Sunday, Dec. 28 | 4:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Nebraska Cornhuskers | Thursday, Jan. 1 | 2:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Northwestern Wildcats | Monday, Jan. 5 | 8:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Indiana Hoosiers | Sunday, Jan. 11 | 5:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Oregon Ducks | Thursday, Jan. 15 | 9:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Michigan State (#23) | Sunday, Jan. 18 | 8:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Maryland (#10) | Thursday, Jan. 22 | 6:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Ohio State Buckeyes | Sunday, Jan. 25 | 2:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At USC (#18) | Thursday, Jan. 29 | 9:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At UCLA (#3) | Sunday, Feb. 1 | 4:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Minnesota Golden Gophers | Thursday, Feb. 5 | 7:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Washington Huskies | Wednesday, Feb. 11 | 7:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Nebraska Cornhuskers | Monday, Feb. 16 | 12:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Purdue Boilermakers | Thursday, Feb. 19 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Michigan (#13) | Sunday, Feb. 22 | TBD | TBA |
| Illinois Fighting Illini | Thursday, Feb. 26 | 9:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Wisconsin Badgers | Sunday, March 1 | 3:00 p.m. | TBA |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for watching Iowa women’s basketball
Like all sports in the streaming age, following Iowa women’s basketball on TV is complicated. To watch 100% of the Hawkeyes’ games, you need national networks like Big Ten Network, ESPN, and FS1 on top of subscriptions to B1G+, Peacock Premium, and ESPN+.
My top recommendation is to start with a foundational live TV streaming service, and Hulu + Live TV is your best option. It carries your local broadcast channels (like ABC and FOX), plus the must-have premium networks (ESPN, FS1, and Big Ten Network). The best part is that it also includes the ESPN+ bundle at no extra cost, which covers you for those exclusive streaming-only games.
Unfortunately, a single live TV service is no longer enough. You must also have separate B1G+ and Peacock subscriptions, as a significant number of Big Ten games stream exclusively on those services. That’s a lot to pay, so if you’re okay with missing some matchups, I recommend checking the schedule above to see which services you can afford to skip.
How to watch Iowa women’s basketball FAQ
Where can I watch Iowa women's basketball for free?
Games airing on national networks, such as ABC, FOX, and NBC, can be watched for free with an over-the-air (OTA) digital antenna. This is a great way to catch the marquee matchups, like Iowa's games against UConn and UCLA, without paying for a subscription.
How can I stream Iowa basketball without cable?
The most complete cord-cutting setup is a combination of three services. First, subscribe to a live TV streaming service like Hulu + Live TV or DIRECTV to gain access to FOX, NBC, FS1, Big Ten Network, and ESPN Unlimited. Then, you must sign up for Peacock Premium and B1G+ for their exclusive Big Ten games.
Can I watch Iowa basketball on Peacock?
Yes, many Big Ten conference games will stream only on Peacock Premium. These games will not be available on the Big Ten Network or any other TV channel, so a subscription is crucial for any die-hard Hawkeyes fan.
What is B1G+ and do I need it for Iowa games?
B1G+ (or Big Ten Plus) is the conference's standalone subscription streaming platform. It primarily broadcasts low-profile games that aren't selected for national TV or cable. If you want to watch every single game, including early-season matchups, you will need a B1G+ subscription. FOX One subscribers can also get B1G+ as a discounted add-on.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com editorial team cross-referenced the official Iowa 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.
