The Orange Bowl has been a staple of college football since its start in 1935. As one of the sport’s oldest bowl games, it’s part of the illustrious New Year’s Six and continues to boost South Florida’s economy annually.
This season, the Orange Bowl will host a College Football Playoff quarterfinal game between Texas Tech and Oregon on Thursday, January 1, on ESPN.
I’ve got all the details on how to tune in, including TV provider recommendations and streaming options.
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What channel shows the Orange Bowl?
You can watch the Orange Bowl on ESPN. Coverage will begin at noon Eastern on Thursday, January 1. Spanish-language commentary will be available on ESPN Deportes.
Pro tip: ESPN Radio will also carry the Orange Bowl, with Wes Durham, Chase Daniel, and Tori Petry on the call.
Orange Bowl 2026 preview
The Texas Tech Red Raiders qualified for the 2026 Orange Bowl after getting ranked No. 4 by the College Football Playoff committee. Their opponent is the Oregon Ducks. Below, I break down each team’s strengths, weaknesses, and key players.
History for Texas Tech
Texas Tech stomped BYU twice during the regular season to seal that it was the Red Raiders and not the Cougars who got the CFP nod. And they made history with it, too, because it’s the first-ever Playoff appearance for the Red Raiders.
It’s also the first time Texas Tech will play in the Orange Bowl. So win or lose, the program has a lot to be proud of.
But of course, the Red Raiders want to win. And they have the tools to beat just about anyone, as evidenced by their gaudy 12–1 record. The team was third in the country in both scoring offense and scoring defense, indicating a balanced attack.
Quarterback Behren Morton has 22 touchdown passes and more than 2,600 yards. From a ground game perspective, Cameron Dickey and J’koby Williams lead the way with nearly 2,000 rushing yards and 20 TDs combined.
First @CFBPlayoff practice ✔️#WreckEm pic.twitter.com/EhYXNjQZuU
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) December 16, 2025
Oregon runs it back in the quarterfinal
Oregon made easy work of James Madison to advance to its second consecutive CFP quarterfinal.
In last year’s quarterfinal—the Rose Bowl that year—they got blown out by eventual national champion Ohio State. No shame in that. But the Ducks are looking to quack much harder this time around.
Oregon is currently on a seven-game winning streak. Quarterback Dante Moore has more than 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns with just eight interceptions. But where the Ducks shine is on defense.
They outscore, out-gain, and outlast basically every opponent. They’re top 10 in scoring defense, and fewer than seven points separate them and Texas Tech in that stat. That side of the ball will be key for Oregon.
See you in Miami!
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) December 21, 2025
Oregon advances to the @CFBPlayoff Quarterfinals for the second year in a row.#GoDucks pic.twitter.com/dTkPUWFVwg
Best Orange Bowl TV plans
My favorite TV provider for watching college football is Hulu + Live TV because it includes every ESPN channel alongside ESPN+. But it’s important to note that a full-fledged TV plan isn’t necessary if you only want to watch the Orange Bowl.
Instead, a standalone ESPN Unlimited subscription is the most cost-effective route. For $29.99/mo., you’ll get access to the Orange Bowl and all other CFP matchups that air on ABC and ESPN in December. The only downside is that you’ll need a separate viewing option for any bowl games that appear on CBS, FOX, and The CW. Fortunately, an over-the-air antenna can easily pick up those local channels for free, as long as you live within range of the affiliate stations.
Which TV providers carry the Orange Bowl?
Most TV providers offer access to the Orange Bowl via ESPN. If you want a robust TV plan, I’ve listed 12 popular services in the table below and illustrated whether they carry ESPN.
| Provider | Type | Price | ESPN | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | Cable | $71.00–$162.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Cox Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | Satellite | $89.99–$169.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV Read DIRECTV review |
| DISH | Satellite | $96.99–$126.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| Fubo | Streaming | $14.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | Streaming | $88.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | Cable | $15.00–$140.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Philo | Streaming | $28.00/mo. | — |
View Plans for Philo Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | Streaming | $19.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | Cable | $40.00–$110.00/mo. | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | Cable | $95.00–$139.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | Cable | $35.00–$90.00/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for Xfinity Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | Streaming | $82.99/mo. | ✔ |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date.
How to watch the Orange Bowl for free
You can watch the Orange Bowl for free using a live TV streaming trial. Fubo offers the best free trial because it lasts five days and includes access to 100+ channels.
If you plan to watch other bowl or playoff games, you’ll want to plan your Fubo trial accordingly. Check out our College Football Bowl Games and College Football Playoff guides for the complete schedule.
How to watch the Orange Bowl FAQ
Is the Orange Bowl only on ESPN?
This year's Orange Bowl will air exclusively on ESPN, while a Spanish-language broadcast will be available on ESPN Deportes. Unlike past years, the Orange Bowl will not be simulcast on ESPN+, and you'll need a TV subscription with ESPN or a streaming free trial to watch the game.
How can I watch the Orange Bowl for cheap?
The cheapest way to watch the Orange Bowl is with a Fubo free trial. Fubo includes ESPN and has a convenient five-day free trial for new customers.
Where is the Orange Bowl played?
The Orange Bowl occurs annually at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. That's the home venue of the Miami Hurricanes and the NFL's Miami Dolphins.
What teams go to the Orange Bowl?
Eligibility requirements for the Orange Bowl vary each season depending on whether the bowl game is part of the College Football Playoff. In 2026, it will be a CFP quarterfinal game, and the matchup will be between Texas Tech and a team to be determined.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com sports editor, Taylor Kujawa, researched and compiled a list of this season’s college football bowl games, including start times and channel listings. Using that info, he determined his Orange Bowl TV provider recommendations based on channel availability, pricing, and additional bowl game coverage.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
