✦ Edited and fact-checked by David Vick, our Contributing Writer, with over five years covering sports.
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Virginia is playing under a spotlight it hasn’t seen in years after a school-record 11-win 2025 campaign that ended with the Cavaliers alone atop the ACC regular-season standings, a trip to the conference championship game, and ACC Coach of the Year honors for Tony Elliott. That’s a lot to follow, and Virginia now has an opportunity to build on one of the best seasons in program history.
Cavaliers broadcasts in 2026 run through ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, ESPN, and ESPN2. Most TV assignments will be announced as the season takes shape, but UVA fans can expect ACC games to land across ESPN’s family of networks.
This guide covers everything you need to watch Virginia Cavaliers football in 2026, including the Commonwealth Clash. For a sport-wide viewing guide, dive into How To Watch College Football.
2026 Virginia Cavaliers TV schedule
Virginia’s schedule features seven games at Scott Stadium, plus a neutral-site matchup with West Virginia in Charlotte. The ACC slate includes road trips to Florida State, SMU, Wake Forest, and Virginia Tech, while Syracuse, Duke, Cal, and North Carolina visit Charlottesville. The regular season closes with the Commonwealth Clash in Blacksburg on November 28.
Our schedule table below tracks the latest kickoff times and TV assignments as they’re announced.
CFB - Virginia Cavaliers Schedule
| Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, August 29 | 3:30 p.m. | ||
Norfolk State Spartans | Friday, Sept. 11 | 7:00 p.m. | |
Saturday, Sept. 19 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Sept. 26 | 6:00 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Oct. 3 | 3:30 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Oct. 10 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
At SMU Mustangs | Saturday, Oct. 17 | TBD | TBD |
Friday, Oct. 23 | 7:00 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 Virginia Cavaliers football
One subscription can keep you in the game all season long: ESPN Unlimited. It gives you a simple way to follow UVA without juggling multiple streaming services. And if you’re looking for a live TV provider, we’ve found your best option.
Our recommendations weigh channel availability, pricing, and ease of use — as outlined in our Editorial Policy. You can compare more side-by-side options with our Best Streaming Services for Sports roundup.
Best Overall
When the standalone option covers this much of the schedule, you’re winning as a sports fan. ESPN Unlimited includes ESPN, ESPN2, ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, and CW Sports, making it a simple way to follow UVA without paying for a full live TV package.
Best Live TV Provider
If you want a broader live TV setup, YouTube TV is a compelling option for UVA fans. Plans that include ESPN also provide ESPN Unlimited, combining Virginia’s ESPN and ACC coverage with a wider channel lineup, unlimited DVR, and plenty of other college football action.
How to watch Virginia Cavaliers football FAQ
Where can I watch the Virginia Cavaliers for free?
Free trials from DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV can provide temporary access to select Virginia Cavaliers games.
Where can I stream Virginia Cavaliers games if I don't have cable?
ESPN Unlimited is the simplest standalone option for streaming UVA games, with access to ESPN, ESPN2, ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, and CW Sports. YouTube TV is a broader live TV alternative that also includes ESPN Unlimited with eligible plans.
How do I get the Virginia Cavaliers on ACCNX?
You can watch Virginia games on ACC Network Extra (ACCNX) through the ESPN app with an eligible TV-provider login or an ESPN Unlimited subscription. Because ACCNX is digital-only, you won't find it in a traditional channel lineup.
How do I watch Virginia Cavaliers football if I live out of state?
Out-of-state Cavaliers 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 Virginia’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 ACC 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.
