✦ Edited and fact-checked by David Vick, our Contributing Writer, with over five years covering sports.
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Stanford began a new chapter with Tavita Pritchard taking over as the program’s 37th head coach. General manager Andrew Luck hired the former Cardinal quarterback and assistant after Stanford showed signs of progress in 2025, winning four games and reclaiming the Axe from Cal. Pritchard’s return gives the program a familiar leader as Stanford looks to build on that foundation.
Stanford’s confirmed TV assignments span ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, ESPN, NBC, and The CW. Several later-season assignments remain TBD, so we’ll update this guide as the ACC and its broadcast partners announce additional details.
This guide has everything you need to watch Stanford Cardinal football all season long. Keep reading for the full Cardinal TV schedule and our picks for the best ways to tune in.
2026 Stanford football TV schedule
Stanford’s schedule features six home games and six road games, with five trips to the Eastern Time Zone over the season. The nonconference slate includes Hawai’i, Notre Dame, and Elon, while ACC play sends the Cardinal to Duke, Wake Forest, Louisville, Virginia Tech, and rival Cal. The 129th Big Game on November 21 leads into the regular-season finale against SMU at Stanford Stadium.
Check the table below for the latest kickoff times and TV assignments. Interested in the full slate of games around the country each Saturday? We’ve got you covered with our College Football TV Schedule.
CFB - Stanford Cardinal Schedule
| Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, August 29 | 7:00 p.m. | ||
Friday, Sept. 4 | 9:00 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Sept. 19 | 4:00 p.m. | CW | |
Saturday, Sept. 26 | 10:30 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Oct. 3 | Noon | ||
Saturday, Oct. 10 | 3:30 p.m. | ||
Elon Phoenix | Saturday, Oct. 17 | 7:30 p.m. | |
Friday, Oct. 23 | 10:30 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Oct. 31 | TBD | TBD | |
Saturday, Nov. 14 | TBD | TBD | |
Saturday, Nov. 21 | TBD | TBD | |
Saturday, Nov. 28 | TBD | TBD |
Best TV plans for watching Stanford Cardinal football
Cardinal faithful have two great viewing options this season: a live TV provider like YouTube TV and ESPN Unlimited. Both provide access to almost the entire schedule and come with unique benefits, giving you the flexibility to choose the setup that best fits your entertainment needs.
For more live TV and standalone options, see our Best Streaming Services for Sports breakdown.
Best Overall
YouTube TV provides broad coverage for Stanford fans as network assignments change throughout the season. Plans that include ESPN also provide access to ESPN Unlimited, adding ACC Network Extra and other ESPN digital content alongside the service’s traditional live channels. Local broadcast availability can vary by market.
Best Standalone Option
ESPN Unlimited covers Stanford’s currently assigned games on ESPN, ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, and The CW. That makes it a convenient standalone option for following most of the Cardinal schedule, but the Notre Dame game on NBC requires another viewing option, and several later assignments remain TBD.
Best for Streaming NBC
A Peacock Premium or Premium Plus plan gives Stanford fans a standalone way to stream the Cardinal’s rivalry game against Notre Dame, which also airs on NBC. Peacock won’t cover the rest of Stanford’s schedule, so it’s better suited as a one-game option than a full-season solution.
How to watch Stanford Cardinal football FAQ
Where can I watch the Stanford Cardinal for free?
Free trials from DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV can provide temporary access to select Stanford games. An over-the-air antenna can also pick up Cardinal games on local broadcast networks such as The CW or NBC, where those affiliates are available.
Where can I stream Stanford Cardinal games if I don't have cable?
YouTube TV and ESPN Unlimited are both useful cable-free options for Stanford fans. YouTube TV offers broader live channel coverage, while ESPN Unlimited provides standalone access to Stanford games on ESPN platforms, ACC Network Extra, and CW Sports.
How do I get Stanford on ACCNX?
You can watch Stanford games on ACC Network Extra (ACCNX) through the ESPN app with an eligible TV provider login or an ESPN Unlimited subscription. ACCNX is digital-only, so it doesn't have a traditional channel number.
How do I watch Stanford Cardinal football if I live out of state?
Out-of-state Cardinal fans can use the same national channels and streaming services listed above. Check the schedule table for the latest viewing information for each game.
Why you should trust us
David Vick, our Contributing Writer, cross-referenced Stanford’s official football schedule with major TV providers’ channel lineups to build these viewing recommendations, weighing channel availability, pricing, and ease of use. We update this guide regularly as additional TV assignments are announced. Read more about our process in our Editorial Policy.
Game day starts here!
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.
