How To Watch Northwestern Wildcats Women’s Basketball
✦ Edited and fact-checked by Junior Sports Writer Alex Vejar, who has more than 10 years of experience covering sports.
A look at the 2025–2026 Wildcats
There’s no sugarcoating the frustration coming out of Evanston recently. After a tough campaign that saw the team struggle to keep pace in the conference, I know the fanbase is eager for a reset. Head coach Joe McKeown has been around the block enough times to know that defense is the great equalizer, and the hope is that the Wildcats can rediscover that suffocating “Blizzard” identity that made them feared in years past.
This season is essentially a referendum on development. With the conference expanding and adding powerhouse programs from the West Coast, the margin for error has shrunk significantly. Watching Caileigh Walsh operate in the frontcourt is still a highlight for me, but she needs help from the guards if this team wants to climb out of the basement.
I wrote this guide to help you find every broadcast so you can watch Northwestern women’s basketball and see if they can pull off the bounce-back season fans are praying for.
2025–2026 Northwestern women’s basketball TV schedule
The Big Ten Network (BTN) and B1G+ are the primary homes for the Wildcats this year. Since the team isn’t expected to be a top-tier national title contender immediately, you won’t see them on marquee slots on FOX or CBS as often as the top-ranked squads.
The season culminates with the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis from March 4–8, 2026, which is always a great chance to see if the team can play spoiler.
| Opponent | Day | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| IU Indianapolis Jaguars | Wednesday, Nov. 5 | 8:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| SIU Edwardsville Cougars | Sunday, Nov. 9 | 3:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks | Friday, Nov. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | B1G+ |
| At DePaul Blue Demons | Monday, Nov. 17 | 12:00 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Cleveland State Vikings | Friday, Nov. 21 | 7:30 p.m. | B1G+ |
| Abilene Christian Wildcats | Friday, Nov. 28 | 11:00 a.m. | ION |
| At Missouri Tigers | Saturday, Nov. 29 | 1:30 p.m. | — |
| Kansas Jayhawks | Wednesday, Dec. 3 | 8:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| Ohio State Buckeyes | Sunday, Dec. 7 | 2:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Utah Utes | Sunday, Dec. 14 | 4:00 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Loyola Chicago Ramblers | Thursday, Dec. 18 | 12:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| At George Washington Revolutionaries | Sunday, Dec. 21 | 1:00 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| At Washington Huskies | Monday, Dec. 29 | 8:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| At Oregon Ducks | Thursday, Jan. 1 | 5:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| Iowa Hawkeyes | Monday, Jan. 5 | 8:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Minnesota Golden Gophers | Thursday, Jan. 8 | 8:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| Rutgers Scarlet Knights | Sunday, Jan. 11 | 3:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| Wisconsin Badgers | Thursday, Jan. 15 | 8:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| At Illinois Fighting Illini | Sunday, Jan. 18 | 3:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| UCLA Bruins | Sunday, Jan. 25 | 4:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Nebraska Cornhuskers | Wednesday, Jan. 28 | 8:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| At Indiana Hoosiers | Sunday, Feb. 1 | 2:00 p.m. | TBA |
| USC Trojans | Thursday, Feb. 5 | 9:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Michigan Wolverines | Thursday, Feb. 12 | 9:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Penn State Nittany Lions | Sunday, Feb. 15 | 4:00 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| At Michigan State Spartans | Wednesday, Feb. 18 | 6:30 p.m. | TBA |
| Illinois Fighting Illini | Sunday, Feb. 22 | 3:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Maryland Terrapins | Wednesday, Feb. 25 | 6:30 p.m. | TBA |
| Purdue Boilermakers | Sunday, March 1 | 3:00 p.m. | TBA |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for Northwestern women’s basketball
If you want to catch the majority of Wildcats games, I recommend Hulu + Live TV. It carries the Big Ten Network, which covers all the primary linear TV broadcasts. I really like that Hulu includes ESPN Select. A few games are on ESPN+ this season, so you are covered there, too. It’s a robust option that keeps you from having to flip between too many apps.
Unfortunately, linear TV isn’t enough anymore. You need a subscription to Peacock Premium to catch the Michigan game on February 12.
I also suggest looking into B1G+. Since Northwestern isn’t always the network priority, B1G+ is often the only place to watch those games that aren’t picked up by the major networks. It’s a must-have for the diehard fan who doesn’t want to miss a single minute of the rebuilding effort.
How to watch Northwestern women’s basketball FAQ
How can I watch Northwestern women's basketball for free?
The best way to watch Northwestern for free in 2025–2026 is with free trials from streaming providers like Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV, Fubo or YouTube TV.
How can I stream Northwestern women's basketball without cable?
I recommend subscribing to Hulu + Live TV, which provides live streaming access to Big Ten Network and local broadcast networks. You will also need standalone subscriptions to Peacock and B1G+ for exclusive streaming-only games.
Can I watch Northwestern women's basketball on Peacock?
Yes, you can and should. Peacock is the exclusive home for several Big Ten matchups this season, meaning you cannot watch those specific games on traditional cable TV. In 2025–2026, one game will be on Peacock.
How can I watch Northwestern women's basketball in March Madness?
The women's NCAA Tournament airs across the ESPN family of networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU) and ABC.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com editorial team cross-referenced the official Northwestern women’s basketball schedule with the channel lineups of every major TV provider. Using those details, we 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.
