Michigan State football had a promising start last season before dropping eight straight games and finishing a woeful 1-8 in the Big Ten Conference. Hopefully, watching the Spartans will be a little better in 2026.
Under new head coach Pat Fitzgerald, the Spartans are looking for a hard reset. A Hall of Fame linebacker during his playing days, Fitzgerald built his coaching reputation on fielding fundamentally sound defenses, which should bring stability to that side of the ball for Michigan State. Offensively, a new coordinator and a fresh wave of running back talent from the transfer portal aim to revive a unit that desperately needs a spark.
This guide is for the fans who live and breathe Spartans football. Keep reading to find out the team’s TV schedule and which plans you’ll need to watch Michigan State football in 2026.
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2026 Michigan State Spartans TV schedule
Michigan State’s 2026 schedule could be a tough one. They have road rivalry games against Notre Dame and Michigan, plus a late-season home matchup with Oregon. You’ll definitely want to circle those games.
Our table below breaks down the Spartans’ TV schedule with up-to-date kickoff times and channel listings, and we’ll update it as more details are revealed.
| Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toledo | Friday, Sept. 4 | 8:00 p.m. | FS1 |
| Eastern Michigan | Saturday, Sept. 12 | 3:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Notre Dame | Saturday, Sept. 19 | 7:30 p.m. | NBC, Peacock Premium |
| Nebraska | Saturday, Sept. 26 | TBA | TBA |
| At Wisconsin | Saturday, Oct. 3 | TBA | TBA |
| Illinois | Saturday, Oct. 10 | TBA | TBA |
| Northwestern | Saturday, Oct. 17 | TBA | TBA |
| At UCLA | Saturday, Oct. 24 | TBA | TBA |
| At Michigan | Saturday, Nov. 7 | TBA | TBA |
| Washington | Saturday, Nov. 14 | TBA | TBA |
| Oregon | Friday, Nov. 20 | 8:00 p.m. | FOX |
| At Rutgers | Saturday, Nov. 28 | TBA | TBA |
Best TV plans for watching Michigan State Spartans football
As a Big Ten program, Michigan State’s viewing schedule is tied directly to the conference’s mega-media rights package. That means Spartans broadcasts typically appear on FOX, CBS, NBC, FS1, and Big Ten Network (BTN) throughout the season.
To catch every matchup, you can nab a subscription to a live TV service or pull together multiple streaming services to get all those channels. Just note that some Big Ten games stream exclusively on Peacock, so even a comprehensive live TV plan may not cover every Spartans matchup.
Best Overall
YouTube TV carries all the traditional channels a Spartans fan needs to watch the team in 2026, including BTN.
Exclusive Games
Any games that broadcast on NBC will also stream on Peacock Premium. There’s also the likelihood that at least one Spartans game will stream exclusively on the platform.
All FOX Sports Games
Multiple Spartans games will air on either FOX or FS1. This standalone streaming service is a low-cost option to watch those broadcasts.
How to watch Michigan State Spartans football FAQ
Where can I watch the Michigan State Spartans for free?
You can stream Michigan State Spartans games with a free trial to DIRECTV or YouTube TV, 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 Michigan State Spartans games if I don't have cable?
Our favorite way to watch the Michigan State Spartans without cable is through YouTube TV. The streaming service has every core college football channel. But you may still need a separate subscription for games exclusive to Peacock Premium.
Can I watch Michigan State Spartans football on Peacock?
Yes, you can watch select Michigan State Spartans games on Peacock. Games on NBC will stream via the platform's premium tiers, and there could be streaming exclusives, too.
How do I watch Michigan State Spartans football if I live out of state?
Out-of-state fans can typically watch Michigan State Spartans football with the same channels and streaming services listed in the schedule above. College football games are often tied to national, conference, or streaming rights rather than a local home-market package.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Junior Sports Writer, Alex Vejar, cross-referenced the official Michigan State Spartans 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.
