✦ Edited and fact-checked by David Vick, our Contributing Writer, with over five years covering sports.
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Marshall’s second season under Tony Gibson comes with an important dose of continuity at quarterback. Carlos Del Rio-Wilson returns to Huntington after a strong 2025 campaign and enters 2026 as the Sun Belt Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. The Thundering Herd’s ceiling may depend heavily on how far he can take the offense.
Marshall’s 2026 TV slate includes FS1, CBS Sports Network, ESPN2, and ESPN+, while most remaining Sun Belt assignments will be finalized through the conference’s 12-day selection process. ESPN’s platforms should remain central to following the Herd, though some games can land on other linear networks.
This guide breaks down how to watch Marshall Thundering Herd football in 2026. You’ll find the latest TV schedule, streaming recommendations, and viewing options for following the Herd all season.
2026 Marshall Thundering Herd TV schedule
Marshall’s schedule pairs nonconference tests against Penn State, Middle Tennessee, Missouri State, and Gardner-Webb with a full Sun Belt slate. The annual Playing For The 75 game against App State honors those lost in the 1970 Marshall plane crash and remains one of the program’s most meaningful home dates.
Check the table below for kickoff times and channels each week as the Sun Belt finalizes assignments.
CFB - Marshall Thundering Herd Schedule
| Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, Sept. 5 | 3:30 p.m. | ||
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders | Saturday, Sept. 12 | 7:00 p.m. | |
At Missouri State Bears | Saturday, Sept. 19 | 6:30 p.m. | |
Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs | Saturday, Sept. 26 | 3:30 p.m. | |
Saturday, Oct. 3 | TBD | TBD | |
Saturday, Oct. 10 | TBD | TBD | |
South Alabama Jaguars | Tuesday, Oct. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | |
At Old Dominion Monarchs | Saturday, Oct. 31 | TBD | TBD |
Saturday, Nov. 7 | TBD | TBD | |
Saturday, Nov. 14 | TBD | TBD | |
Saturday, Nov. 21 | TBD | TBD | |
At UL Monroe Warhawks | Saturday, Nov. 28 | TBD | TBD |
Best TV plans for watching Marshall Thundering Herd football
Marshall’s mix of ESPN platforms and non-ESPN linear networks means no single service covers every game. ESPN Unlimited should cover a large share of the schedule, while a broader live TV plan fills gaps such as FS1 and CBS Sports Network.
For most fans, the choice comes down to a lower-cost setup centered on the Herd or a broader package for following college football beyond Marshall. The recommendations below account for both approaches.
Best Overall
ESPN has the broadcast rights to the Sun Belt Conference, making ESPN Unlimited one of the most useful options for Marshall fans this season. Depending on how things play out, the Thundering Herd could end up playing a good chunk of games on ESPN+, which is effectively the Sun Belt’s everything-else channel for games that don’t air on linear TV.
Best Live TV Provider
You’ll find the key linear sports channels you need to follow Marshall on YouTube TV, which is important since Marshall appears on FS1 and CBS Sports Network this season. YouTube TV’s Sports Plan is also one of the more affordable ways to get broad college football coverage. It’s the budget option that happens to check a lot of boxes. At CableTV.com, we call that a win.
How to watch Marshall Thundering Herd football FAQ
Where can I watch the Marshall Thundering Herd for free?
You can watch a handful of Marshall Thundering Herd games for free this year by taking advantage of free trials from DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV. An over-the-air antenna can also deliver any games that air on your local ABC, CBS, FOX, or NBC affiliate at no extra cost.
Where can I stream Marshall Thundering Herd games if I don't have cable?
As we recommended, ESPN Unlimited and YouTube TV are our top picks for Thundering Herd fans who don't have or want cable. Hulu + Live TV is another good choice that covers the core sports channels, but it comes in at a higher price.
Can I watch Marshall Thundering Herd football on Paramount+?
No, Paramount+ doesn't include the CBS Sports Network linear channel. Marshall games airing on CBS Sports Network require a live TV subscription.
How do I watch Marshall Thundering Herd football if I live out of state?
Out-of-state Marshall fans can generally watch through the same channels listed above. Unlike some sports, college football TV rights aren't tied to local-market packages. National, conference, and streaming agreements determine where games air, so viewing options don't change based on location.
Why you should trust us
David Vick, our Contributing Writer, cross-referenced Marshall’s official schedule with Sun Belt and ESPN TV information to put together these viewing recommendations, weighing channel availability, pricing, and ease of use. We’ll update this guide regularly throughout the season as Sun Belt TV assignments are finalized. Read more about our process in our Editorial Policy.
Game day starts here!
CableTV.com editors created this article using original analysis and proprietary inputs, with AI tools assisting in drafting. The final content was reviewed and edited for accuracy and quality.
