✦ Edited and fact-checked by our Contributing Writer David Vick, who has more than five years of experience covering sports.
One of the true blue-blood programs in college basketball, North Carolina opens a new chapter this season with Michael Malone taking over as head coach in Chapel Hill. The coaching veteran led the Denver Nuggets to a championship in 2023, giving UNC’s passionate fans hope that he can do the same with their beloved Tar Heels.
ACC Network, ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU account for most North Carolina games this season. The CW is set for three Tar Heels matchups, while ABC and CBS each have one game. Peacock and NBCSN will also carry UNC’s December matchup at Georgetown.
Whether you’re following Michael Malone’s first season or gearing up for another rivalry showdown with Duke, this guide covers how to watch North Carolina men’s basketball. You’ll find the full TV schedule and our picks for the best streaming options.
2026–27 North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball TV schedule
North Carolina’s 18-game ACC schedule is complemented by a challenging nonconference slate. The Tar Heels face Georgia, West Virginia, and Arkansas, with the latter matchup coming in the ACC/SEC Challenge. They’ll also take on Kentucky at Madison Square Garden on December 19, while conference play brings two highly anticipated rivalry matchups with Duke.
Find each game’s start time and broadcast assignment in the table below. We’ll make adjustments if the schedule changes during the season.
NCAAM - North Carolina Tarheels Schedule
| Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
November | |||
Western Carolina Catamounts | Monday, Nov. 2 | 7:00 p.m. | |
Wofford Terriers | Friday, Nov. 6 | 7:00 p.m. | |
Wyoming Cowboys | Tuesday, Nov. 10 | 7:00 p.m. | |
Georgia Bulldogs | Friday, Nov. 13 | 7:00 p.m. | |
Marshall Thundering Herd | Friday, Nov. 20 | 9:00 p.m. | |
Monmouth Hawks | Monday, Nov. 23 | 8:00 p.m. | |
West Virginia Mountaineers | Friday, Nov. 27 | 7:00 p.m. | |
December | |||
Tuesday, Dec. 1 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
Butler Bulldogs | Sunday, Dec. 6 | 3:00 p.m. | |
At Georgetown Hoyas | Saturday, Dec. 12 | Noon | |
At NC State Wolfpack | Tuesday, Dec. 15 | 7:00 p.m. | |
Saturday, Dec. 19 | 2:30 p.m. | TBD | |
The Citadel Bulldogs | Monday, Dec. 21 | 8:00 p.m. | |
California Golden Bears | Wednesday, Dec. 30 | 4:00 p.m. | |
January | |||
At Boston College Eagles | Saturday, Jan. 2 | 4:00 p.m. | TBD |
At Louisville Cardinals | Tuesday, Jan. 5 | 9:00 p.m. | TBD |
NC State Wolfpack | Saturday, Jan. 9 | Noon | |
At Florida State Seminoles | Wednesday, Jan. 13 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD |
Stanford Cardinal | Saturday, Jan. 16 | 2:15 p.m. | |
Boston College Eagles | Sunday, Jan. 17 | TBD | TBD |
Tuesday, Jan. 19 | 9:00 p.m. | ||
At Syracuse Orange | Saturday, Jan. 23 | Noon | TBD |
Tuesday, Jan. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Saturday, Jan. 30 | TBD | TBD | |
February | |||
At Notre Dame Fighting Irish | Tuesday, Feb. 2 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD |
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets | Saturday, Feb. 6 | 2:15 p.m. | |
Louisville Cardinals | Monday, Feb. 8 | 6:00 p.m. | |
Saturday, Feb. 13 | 5:30 p.m. | ||
At Wake Forest Demon Deacons | Saturday, Feb. 20 | 7:00 p.m. | |
Miami Hurricanes | Monday, Feb. 22 | 7:00 p.m. | |
At Virginia Tech Hokies | Saturday, Feb. 27 | 7:00 p.m. | |
March | |||
At Pittsburgh Panthers | Tuesday, March 2 | 9:00 p.m. | TBD |
Saturday, March 6 | TBD |
Best TV plans for watching North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball
For North Carolina fans, YouTube TV offers one of the most convenient ways to follow the Tar Heels all season. Its Sports Plan combines ESPN’s channel lineup with CBS, NBCSN, and The CW in participating markets. ESPN Unlimited is also integrated at no additional cost, giving you broad coverage through a single app.
If you’re willing to miss a couple of matchups, ESPN Unlimited offers a more affordable standalone option that covers nearly the entire regular-season schedule.
Best Overall
YouTube TV gives North Carolina fans access to every linear channel carrying Tar Heels games this season through its Sports Plan. It’s a convenient way to follow the action without paying for a more expensive full TV package. Add in a lineup of features built for sports fans, and you’ve got a game plan worth getting behind.
Best Value
With all but two confirmed regular-season matchups available through ESPN Unlimited, this standalone service provides excellent value for UNC fans. You’ll save money compared to a full live TV plan, though you’ll miss any games belonging to CBS Sports, NBC Sports, and TNT Sports.
Best Add-On
UNC’s lone appearance on Peacock is on December 12 against Georgetown. You’ll need a Premium or Premium Plus plan to watch it. However, if your TV provider includes NBCSN, you don’t need a Peacock subscription.
How to watch North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball FAQ
Where can I watch North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball for free?
When North Carolina appears on an over-the-air network (e.g., ABC, CBS, or The CW), you can watch with a digital antenna — depending on local reception. Eligible new subscribers can also take advantage of free trials from DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV to watch a handful of games.
How can I watch North Carolina vs. Duke?
North Carolina's regular-season rivalry games against Duke are scheduled to air on ABC and ESPN. Both matchups are also available through ESPN Unlimited, while the ABC broadcast is free to watch with an antenna in areas with local reception.
Does ESPN Unlimited carry North Carolina Tar Heels games on The CW?
Yes, ESPN Unlimited includes Tar Heels games airing on The CW, available through the ESPN app. But viewers accessing ESPN Unlimited through a TV provider must also receive The CW in their local channel lineup. Standalone ESPN Unlimited subscribers don't have that restriction.
How can I watch North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament?
If North Carolina qualifies for the NCAA Tournament, men's March Madness games are scheduled to air across CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. CBS games will also stream on Paramount+ for Premium subscribers, while games on TBS, TNT, and truTV are available through HBO Max with a Standard or Premium plan.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Contributing Writer, David Vick, reviewed the official North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball schedule, along with relevant ACC and streaming information to determine the best ways to follow the team. Our recommendations consider channel availability, streaming access, pricing, and ease of use.
CableTV.com editors review and update the TV schedule throughout the season as game times and network assignments change. To learn more about our methods, check out our Editorial Policy.
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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.
