How To Watch Iowa State Cyclones Women’s Basketball
✦ Edited and fact-checked by Taylor Kujawa, our Sports Editor with over eight years of experience in sports media and digital publishing.
Fennelly’s farewell comes with a new-look Cyclones team
Iowa State women’s basketball is entering the end of an era, but with a very different lineup. The Cyclones finished 22–10 and made a seventh consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance last season before falling to Syracuse in the opening round. Longtime head coach Bill Fennelly has announced his retirement following the 2026–2027 campaign, bringing his 32-year tenure in Ames to a close.
Former standouts Audi Crooks, Addy Brown, and Jada Williams have moved on, leaving Arianna Jackson, Evangelia Paulk, and Freya Jensen as the only returning players. Fennelly’s new-look roster includes Kent State transfer Mya Babbitt, La Salle transfer Ashleigh Connor, and freshman forward Tjaša Turnšek. It’s a major adjustment for a program that’s been a familiar presence in March Madness.
Fortunately, finding Cyclones games isn’t quite as complicated as rebuilding the roster. Most Iowa State women’s basketball matchups stream on ESPN+, available through ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited, with select nationally televised games on FS1. The Baha Mar Hoops tournament has a separate streaming home, so this guide explains the schedule and how to access the different broadcasts.
2026–2027 Iowa State women’s basketball TV schedule
Iowa State’s nonconference schedule balances familiar regional rivalries with a trip to the Bahamas. The annual Cy-Hawk Series takes the Cyclones to Iowa City, while the Baha Mar Hoops Nassau Championship features neutral-site matchups against Belmont and USC. Hilton Coliseum also hosts several nonconference opponents.
In Big 12 play, Iowa State faces Kansas, Kansas State, and Oklahoma State both home and away. The conference slate also includes visits to Baylor and West Virginia, plus home games against TCU and Colorado. Use the table below to find game times and viewing assignments; we’ll keep it updated throughout the season.
NCAAW - Iowa State Cyclones Schedule
| Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
November | |||
Grambling Lady Tigers | Monday, Nov. 2 | 7:30 p.m. | |
Nicholls Colonels | Thursday, Nov. 5 | 7:30 p.m. | |
Eastern Illinois Panthers | Sunday, Nov. 8 | 3:00 p.m. | |
Howard Bison | Thursday, Nov. 12 | 7:30 p.m. | |
UIC Flames | Sunday, Nov. 15 | 6:00 p.m. | |
At Northern Iowa Panthers | Wednesday, Nov. 18 | 7:00 p.m. | |
Drake Bulldogs | Sunday, Nov. 22 | 3:00 p.m. | |
Belmont Bruins | Friday, Nov. 27 | 4:00 p.m. | BDG Sports Live |
At USC Trojans | Sunday, Nov. 29 | 1:30 p.m. | BDG Sports Live |
December | |||
Norfolk State Spartans | Tuesday, Dec. 1 | Noon | |
Loyola Chicago Ramblers | Sunday, Dec. 6 | 3:00 p.m. | |
At Iowa Hawkeyes | Wednesday, Dec. 9 | 8:00 p.m. | |
Chicago State Cougars | Sunday, Dec. 13 | 1:00 p.m. | TBD |
Saturday, Dec. 19 | 5:00 p.m. | ||
Wednesday, Dec. 30 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
January | |||
At Arizona Wildcats | Sunday, Jan. 3 | 4:00 p.m. | TBD |
At Arizona State Sun Devils | Wednesday, Jan. 6 | 8:30 p.m. | TBD |
Oklahoma State Cowgirls | Saturday, Jan. 9 | 8:00 p.m. | |
Saturday, Jan. 16 | 3:00 p.m. | TBD | |
At Kansas Jayhawks | Wednesday, Jan. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | TBD |
At West Virginia Mountaineers | Saturday, Jan. 23 | 2:00 p.m. | TBD |
Houston Cougars | Wednesday, Jan. 27 | 7:30 p.m. | TBD |
At Baylor Bears | Saturday, Jan. 30 | 4:00 p.m. | |
February | |||
Texas Tech Lady Raiders | Wednesday, Feb. 3 | 7:30 p.m. | TBD |
Colorado Buffaloes | Saturday, Feb. 6 | 3:00 p.m. | TBD |
At Cincinnati Bearcats | Wednesday, Feb. 10 | 6:30 p.m. | TBD |
BYU Cougars | Saturday, Feb. 13 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD |
Wednesday, Feb. 17 | 7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
At UCF Knights | Saturday, Feb. 20 | 2:00 p.m. | TBD |
Kansas Jayhawks | Wednesday, Feb. 24 | 7:30 p.m. | TBD |
At Oklahoma State Cowgirls | Saturday, Feb. 27 | 2:30 p.m. |
Best TV plans for watching Iowa State women’s basketball
Iowa State’s regular-season coverage relies heavily on ESPN+, which is available through ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited. Selected nationally televised games air on FS1, while the Baha Mar Hoops matchups stream separately on BDG Sports Live. Fortunately, you don’t need a traditional cable package to access the main broadcasts.
For broader TV coverage, I recommend YouTube TV, whose Sports Plan includes FS1, ESPN’s national channels, and ESPN Unlimited content. But if you’re primarily interested in the Cyclones’ ESPN+ games, ESPN Select is a more focused choice. You can add FOX One for FS1 broadcasts or consider the ESPN Unlimited and FOX One bundle for a broader standalone setup.
Best Live TV Service
YouTube TV’s Sports Plan combines FS1 with ESPN’s national channels and ESPN Unlimited, including access to Iowa State’s ESPN+ streams. Unlimited DVR also comes in handy when Big 12 games conflict with your schedule. You’ll need to access the Baha Mar Hoops broadcasts separately through BDG Sports Live.
Best for ESPN+ Games
ESPN Select is a straightforward way to watch Iowa State’s ESPN+ matchups without subscribing to a full live TV package. It doesn’t include FS1 or ESPN’s traditional channels, so you’ll need another service for those broadcasts. The higher-tier ESPN Unlimited plan offers broader ESPN access for fans who want more than the regular-season streams.
How to watch Iowa State women’s basketball FAQ
Where can I watch Iowa State women's basketball for free?
Eligible new subscribers can use free trials from YouTube TV or DIRECTV to catch select televised Cyclones games. Most Iowa State matchups stream on ESPN+ and require qualifying access, while neutral-site event streams may have separate viewing requirements.
How can I stream Iowa State basketball without cable?
You can watch Iowa State's ESPN+ games through ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited. FOX One carries the team's FS1 broadcasts, while YouTube TV combines FS1 and ESPN Unlimited access in one live TV plan. Baha Mar Hoops games stream separately on BDG Sports Live.
Is ESPN Select enough to watch every Iowa State game?
No. ESPN Select includes Iowa State games assigned to ESPN+, but it doesn't provide live FS1 or traditional ESPN channels. You can add FOX One for FS1, while ESPN Unlimited covers the full ESPN lineup and ESPN+ streams. Neither ESPN subscription includes BDG Sports Live events.
How can I listen to Iowa State women's basketball on the radio?
You can listen to Cyclones women's basketball through The Varsity Network app or the Listen links on Iowa State's official schedule. Live audio is a useful alternative when you can't watch the game.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com editorial team examined Iowa State’s official women’s basketball schedule, Big 12 broadcast information, and the viewing requirements for ESPN and FOX Sports platforms. We compared live TV packages with standalone streaming plans to identify useful ways to follow the Cyclones.
We update this guide as game times and broadcast assignments change. To learn more about our editorial process, visit our How We Rank page.
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