How To Watch the Music City Bowl: Tennessee vs. Illinois
Get ready for the 2025 Music City Bowl
The TransPerfect Music City Bowl is often the loudest non-major bowl game of the year. Played at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, this year’s game will feature the de facto home team, Tennessee, against Illinois in a battle of the two “Super Conferences.” Because Nashville is such a prime destination for traveling fans, the stadium is usually packed, and the atmosphere rivals that of a regular-season rivalry game.
For me, this game serves as a fascinating measuring stick. We spend all year debating which conference is deeper, and this matchup usually gives us a direct answer. The players also seem to play with a little extra motivation, likely because a week spent partying on Broadway is a reward worth fighting for.
To see which conference earns bragging rights this year, here’s how to watch the 2025 Music City Bowl.
What channel shows the Music City Bowl?
The 2025 Music City Bowl will air live on ESPN. The game is set to kick off on Tuesday, December 30, at 5:30 p.m. ET.
You can also stream the game live the ESPN app, provided you have a subscription to ESPN Unlimited or a valid TV login.
Best TV plans for watching the Music City Bowl
To catch this SEC vs. Big Ten showdown, you need ESPN. Hulu + Live TV is my favorite way to watch because of its reliability, ease of use, and inclusion of ESPN Select and Disney+.
If you are looking for a cheaper alternative, ESPN Unlimited is the way to go. You get every channel owned by ESPN on one platform, giving you access to not just this game, but the many broadcasts on ESPN.
Sling TV is a solid choice. The Sling Orange package gets you the ESPN broadcast without the fluff channels you might not need. It is a straightforward, no-contract way to watch the game live.
How to watch the Music City Bowl FAQ
Can I stream the Music City Bowl on the ESPN app?
Yes, streaming is available on the ESPN app if you sign in with a TV provider or have an ESPN Unlimited subscription.
Where is the Music City Bowl played?
The game takes place at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. That's home to both the Tennessee Titans and the Tennessee State Tigers.
What conferences play in the Music City Bowl?
The Music City Bowl features a tie-in between the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the Big Ten Conference.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com editorial team researched the TransPerfect Music City Bowl’s official broadcast rights and cross-referenced them with the channel lineups of every major TV provider. We then selected our viewing recommendations based on our hands-on testing, identifying the most cost-effective and straightforward ways for you to watch the game.
To learn more about our methods, check out our How We Rank page.
