How To Watch UCLA Bruins Men’s Basketball in 2025
✦ Edited and fact-checked by Junior Sports Writer Alex Vejar, our junior sports writer with over 10 years of covering sports.
A closer look at UCLA men’s basketball
Last season’s first-ever run through the Big Ten was a clear success. Mick Cronin guided the Bruins to a 23-11 record, a 4th-place conference finish, and a solid NCAA Tournament win before falling in the Round of 32. It proved that Cronin’s brand of tough, defense-first basketball absolutely translates to the Midwest. But let’s be honest: the offense was, at times, inconsistent and hard to watch, lacking a true point guard to run the show.
Cronin fixed that. The narrative surrounding the Bruins has shifted from “surviving” to “contending.” The primary reason is the arrival of senior guard Donovan Dent, a transfer from New Mexico and the reigning Mountain West Player of the Year. He is the “crown jewel” transfer, a high-scoring, pass-first guard expected to unlock this offense. He’s joined by a stellar returning core led by Tyler Bilodeau and a high-upside X-factor in 6-foot-11 Michigan State transfer Xavier Booker. Expectations are now “Sweet 16 or bust.”
Watching this re-energized squad means navigating the complex Big Ten media rights deal. Games are spread across FOX, FS1, CBS, the Big Ten Network (BTN), and—most importantly—an exclusive package on Peacock. I’ve sorted through all the broadcast details to build the complete guide on how to watch UCLA basketball all season long.
2025–2026 UCLA men’s basketball TV schedule
The 2025-2026 UCLA basketball season tips off on November 3, but the Bruins get tested immediately. The non-conference schedule is serious, featuring a neutral-site game against Arizona on November 14 and a massive home matchup against Gonzaga on December 13.
The Big Ten grind starts early with a road trip to Washington on December 3 before the 20-game conference gauntlet truly begins in January. It all culminates in the regular-season finale and rivalry game at USC on March 7, 2026.
Here’s a look at the key dates on the Bruins’ 2025–2026 schedule.
| Opponent | Day | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Washington Eagles | Monday, Nov. 3 | 10:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Pepperdine Waves | Friday, Nov. 7 | 10:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| West Georgia Wolves | Monday, Nov. 10 | 10:00 p.m. | B1G+ |
| Arizona (#13) | Friday, Nov. 14 | 10:00 p.m. | Peacock Premium |
| Sacramento State Hornets | Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 10:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Presbyterian Blue Hose | Friday, Nov. 21 | 10:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At California Golden Bears | Tuesday, Nov. 25 | 10:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| At Washington Huskies | Wednesday, Dec. 3 | 11:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Oregon Ducks | Saturday, Dec. 6 | 6:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Gonzaga (#21) | Saturday, Dec. 13 | 11:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Arizona State Sun Devils | Wednesday, Dec. 17 | 10:30 p.m. | FS1 |
| Cal Poly Mustangs | Friday, Dec. 19 | 10:00 p.m. | TBA |
| UC Riverside Highlanders | Tuesday, Dec. 23 | 4:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Iowa Hawkeyes | Saturday, Jan. 3 | 6:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Wisconsin (#24) | Tuesday, Jan. 6 | 9:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Maryland Terrapins | Saturday, Jan. 10 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Penn State Nittany Lions | Wednesday, Jan. 14 | 8:30 p.m. | FS1 |
| At Ohio State Buckeyes | Saturday, Jan. 17 | 1:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Purdue (#1) | Tuesday, Jan. 20 | 10:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Northwestern Wildcats | Saturday, Jan. 24 | 6:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Oregon Ducks | Wednesday, Jan. 28 | 11:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Indiana | Saturday, Jan. 31 | 5:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Rutgers Scarlet Knights | Tuesday, Feb. 3 | 9:30 p.m. | TBA |
| Washington Huskies | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 10:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Michigan (#7) | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 1:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Michigan State Spartans (#22) | Tuesday, Feb. 17 | 8:30 p.m. | TBA |
| Illinois (#17) | Saturday, Feb. 21 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| USC Trojans | Tuesday, Feb. 24 | 11:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Minnesota Golden Gophers | Saturday, Feb. 28 | 2:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Nebraska Cornhuskers | Tuesday, March 3 | 11:00 p.m. | FS1 |
| At USC Trojans | Saturday, March 7 | 9:00 p.m. | TBA |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for watching UCLA men’s basketball
To be a UCLA basketball fan in the Big Ten era, you need a plan that covers four distinct broadcast partners. The “Big 3” linear networks are FOX/FS1, CBS, and BTN. This combination will get you the majority of high-profile weekend and tournament games.
My top recommendation for a foundational streaming service is YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV. Both are excellent and carry your local FOX and CBS affiliates, plus FS1 and BTN, all in their base plans. Fubo and Stream with DIRECTV‘s “Choice” package are also strong options that include all these necessary channels.
Here’s the most important part: that’s not enough. You will also need a separate subscription to Peacock. NBCUniversal has exclusive rights to a significant chunk of Big Ten games (around seven for UCLA this season), and these games will not be on any other channel. For the earliest exhibition or non-conference games, you may also need B1G+, the conference’s standalone streaming service, but Peacock is the mandatory add-on for the regular season.
How to watch UCLA men’s basketball FAQ
Where can I watch UCLA men's basketball for free?
If a game is broadcast on your local FOX or CBS station, you can watch it for free with a good over-the-air (OTA) digital antenna. For all other games on cable or streaming, your best "free" option is to use a free trial for a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV or Fubo.
How can I stream UCLA basketball without cable?
A live TV streaming service like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV is your best bet. These services include FOX, FS1, CBS, and the Big Ten Network. You must also subscribe to Peacock separately to get the exclusive games that air only on that streaming platform.
Can I watch UCLA basketball on Peacock?
Yes, Peacock is the exclusive home for at least seven UCLA basketball games during the 2025–2026 season. These games will not be available on Big Ten Network or any other channel.
Do I need B1G+ to watch UCLA basketball?
Yes, you'll need B1G+ to watch select early-season UCLA games. The streaming-only subscription is available at BigTenPlus.com and as an add-on through FOX One.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com editorial team cross-referenced the official UCLA men’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.
