How To Watch UCF Knights Men’s Basketball
✦ Edited and fact-checked by Sports Editor Taylor Kujawa, our resident TV expert with over eight years of covering sports.
A look at the 2025–2026 Knights
UCF entered this season with a giant target on its back—mostly from critics who expected the program to bottom out in the Big 12. Instead of folding, Johnny Dawkins engineered one of the most impressive respect-earned tours I’ve seen in recent years. By leaning into a veteran-heavy roster of 13 newcomers via the transfer portal, UCF transformed from a predicted basement-dweller into a resilient force that knocked off several Top 25 programs.
I find the house-money energy surrounding this team infectious as they head into their first NCAA Tournament appearance in seven seasons. After surviving one of the most difficult in-conference schedules in the country, this group plays with a chip on its shoulder that makes them a nightmare for higher seeds. They aren’t just happy to be here; they’ve spent the last four months proving they belong on the big stage.
My goal is to help you catch every minute of UCF’s postseason run without the headache of searching for the right channel. This guide covers everything you need to know to watch UCF knights basketball as they look to pull off another upset in Philadelphia.
2025–2026 UCF Knights basketball TV schedule
The Knights start their March Madness journey in the Round of 64 with a high-stakes matchup against the UCLA Bruins. This Friday night clash in Philadelphia is one of the most anticipated games of the opening round, given UCF’s knack for playing up to their competition. If they manage to move past the Bruins, the schedule only gets more intense as the bracket narrows toward the Sweet 16.
NCAAM - UCF Knights Schedule
| Opponent | Day | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
Hofstra Pride | Monday, Nov. 3 | 8:50 p.m. | |
Saturday, Nov. 8 | 4:00 p.m. | ||
Florida A&M Rattlers | Tuesday, Nov. 11 | 7:00 p.m. | |
at Texas A&M Aggies | Friday, Nov. 14 | 8:00 p.m. | |
Oakland Golden Grizzlies | Monday, Nov. 17 | 7:00 p.m. | |
vs Pittsburgh Panthers | Thursday, Nov. 20 | 7:00 p.m. | |
Quinnipiac Bobcats | Tuesday, Nov. 25 | 7:00 p.m. | |
VMI Keydets | Saturday, Nov. 29 | 1:00 p.m. | |
Towson Tigers | Sunday, Dec. 7 | 4:00 p.m. | |
Mercer Bears | Wednesday, Dec. 17 | 7:00 p.m. | |
Florida Gulf Coast Eagles | Saturday, Dec. 20 | 5:00 p.m. | |
Florida Atlantic Owls | Tuesday, Dec. 23 | 2:00 p.m. | TBD |
Saturday, Jan. 3 | 2:00 p.m. | ||
at Oklahoma State Cowboys | Tuesday, Jan. 6 | 8:00 p.m. | |
Cincinnati Bearcats | Sunday, Jan. 11 | 5:00 p.m. | |
at Kansas State Wildcats | Wednesday, Jan. 14 | 8:00 p.m. | |
Arizona Wildcats (No. 1) | Saturday, Jan. 17 | 4:00 p.m. | |
at Iowa State Cyclones (No. 9) | Tuesday, Jan. 20 | 7:00 p.m. | |
at Colorado Buffaloes | Saturday, Jan. 24 | 3:00 p.m. | |
Arizona State Sun Devils | Tuesday, Jan. 27 | 7:00 p.m. | |
Texas Tech Red Raiders (No. 11) | Saturday, Jan. 31 | 12:00 p.m. | |
at Houston Cougars (No. 8) | Wednesday, Feb. 4 | 7:00 p.m. | |
at Cincinnati Bearcats | Sunday, Feb. 8 | 2:00 p.m. | |
West Virginia Mountaineers | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 6:00 p.m. | |
TCU Horned Frogs | Tuesday, Feb. 17 | 7:00 p.m. | |
at Utah Utes | Saturday, Feb. 21 | 9:00 p.m. | |
at BYU Cougars | Tuesday, Feb. 24 | 11:00 p.m. | |
Baylor Bears | Saturday, Feb. 28 | 8:00 p.m. | |
Oklahoma State Cowboys | Tuesday, March 3 | 7:00 p.m. | |
at West Virginia Mountaineers | Friday, March 6 | 8:00 p.m. | |
vs Cincinnati Bearcats | Wednesday, March 11 | 3:15 p.m. | |
vs Arizona Wildcats (No. 2) | Thursday, March 12 | 3:00 p.m. | |
NCAA Tournament | |||
vs UCLA Bruins (No. 7) | Friday, March 20 | 7:31 p.m. |
Best TV plans for UCF Knights basketball
Since the Knights are playing their opening tournament game on TBS, you have several great ways to tune in. For the most complete March Madness experience, I recommend Hulu + Live TV. It includes TBS, TNT, and truTV for all the cable-exclusive games, plus your local CBS affiliate for the weekend matchups. It’s the most reliable set it and forget it option for fans who want to ensure they don’t miss a single buzzer-beater.
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly way to catch the Knights, HBO Max is a fantastic alternative. With a Basic or Premium plan, you can stream every game that airs on TBS, TNT, and truTV directly through the app. Just keep in mind that HBO Max won’t give you the CBS games, so you might want to pair it with a cheap over-the-air antenna or a Paramount+ subscription to cover all your bases.
I suggest avoiding Fubo for the tournament since it lacks the Turner Sports networks (TBS, TNT, and truTV) that carry the bulk of the early-round action. Stick with Hulu + Live TV or HBO Max to make sure you actually see Johnny Dawkins’ squad in action.
How to watch UCF Knights basketball FAQ
How can I watch the UCF Knights for free?
You can watch UCF games that air on CBS for free by using a digital over-the-air antenna. For games on cable networks like TBS, you can often find free trials for streaming services like YouTube TV or DIRECTV Stream.
How can I stream the UCF Knights without cable?
The best way to stream UCF is through Hulu + Live TV, which carries all the primary tournament channels. You can also use HBO Max with a Premium or Basic plan to stream the Knights' Round of 64 game against UCLA.
Can I watch the UCF Knights on HBO Max?
Yes, you can watch the UCF Knights on HBO Max because the service streams all NCAA Tournament games that air on TBS, TNT, and truTV. This makes HBO Max a vital tool for Knights fans during the first few rounds of March Madness.
How can I watch the UCF Knights in March Madness?
In 2026, the men's March Madness tournament airs across a combination of TBS, TNT, truTV, and CBS. You can find the Knights' opening game on TBS, or stream it via the March Madness Live app by authenticating with your TV provider.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com editorial team cross-referenced the official UCF Knights 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.
