✦ Edited and fact-checked by David Vick, our Contributing Writer, with over five years covering sports.
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Jake Dickert’s nine-win debut season in Winston-Salem was a resounding success. Wake Forest enjoyed a five-win improvement from 2024 and won four ACC games for the first time in as many years. So now what? If Dickert and defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton can build on that foundation, watch out for the Demon Deacons in a wide-open ACC race.
Wake Forest’s TV schedule spans ACC Network, ESPN, and FS1, while several later conference matchups still await network assignments. Those remaining ACC games can land across ESPN platforms or The CW, so we’ll update the schedule as those details are finalized.
This guide breaks down how to watch Wake Forest football, including the full TV schedule, the best streaming options, and answers to the biggest viewing questions.
2026 Wake Forest football TV schedule
Wake Forest’s schedule doesn’t offer much room to coast. After a challenging September, the Demon Deacons move into the heart of ACC play with a mix of lengthy road trips and home conference tests across October and November. The regular season closes with consecutive ACC games, including the rivalry finale against Duke.
Several TV windows are still being finalized as of early September, so check the schedule below often for the latest confirmed start times and channels.
CFB - Wake Forest Demon Deacons Schedule
| Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
Thursday, Sept. 3 | 7:00 p.m. | ||
At Purdue Boilermakers | Saturday, Sept. 12 | Noon | |
Friday, Sept. 18 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Sept. 26 | Noon | ||
Saturday, Oct. 3 | Noon | ||
Saturday, Oct. 10 | Noon | CW | |
Saturday, Oct. 17 | TBD | TBD | |
Saturday, Oct. 31 | TBD | TBD | |
Merrimack Warriors | Saturday, Nov. 7 | TBD | TBD |
At SMU Mustangs | Saturday, Nov. 14 | TBD | TBD |
Saturday, Nov. 21 | TBD | TBD | |
Saturday, Nov. 28 | TBD | TBD |
Best TV plans for watching Wake Forest football
Just like other ACC teams, Wake Forest will mostly appear on ESPN platforms this season, making ESPN Unlimited the plan that offers the most value. That said, if you want to watch every game on one app, a live TV service like YouTube TV is what you’re looking for.
Best Overall
The YouTube TV Sports Plan gives Wake Forest fans ESPN and FS1 alongside ESPN Unlimited integration. That combination covers the Demon Deacons’ confirmed regular-season outlets and gives you multiview capabilities to follow up to four games at once.
Best Standalone Option
ESPN Unlimited is a convenient standalone option if your main priority is watching conference games. The service bundles ESPN’s channel lineup with The CW, guaranteeing complete in-conference ACC coverage. You’ll need another service for any matchups covered by FOX Sports.
How to watch Wake Forest football FAQ
Where can I watch Wake Forest football for free?
Free viewing options depend on where each game airs. If you need short-term access to networks such as ESPN or FS1, you can take advantage of free trials from DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV.
Where can I stream Wake Forest football without cable?
YouTube TV is a useful all-in-one option because its Sports Plan includes ESPN and FS1, while ESPN Unlimited content is integrated directly into YouTube TV plans that include ESPN. If you mainly need Wake's ESPN and ACC coverage, ESPN Unlimited is the simpler standalone option.
How do I get Wake Forest on ACCNX?
You can watch Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest football if I live out of state?
Out-of-state Demon Deacons fans can generally watch through the same national channels and streaming services listed above. ACC broadcast rights are based on national, conference, and streaming agreements rather than a local-market package.
Why you should trust us
David Vick, our Contributing Writer, cross-referenced Wake Forest’s official football schedule with major TV providers’ channel lineups to build these viewing recommendations, weighing channel availability, pricing, and ease of use. We regularly review the schedule as ACC TV assignments are finalized. 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.
