✦ Edited and fact-checked by David Vick, our Contributing Writer, with over five years covering sports.
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Western Michigan entered 2026 defending its first MAC title since 2016 and pursuing the conference’s first repeat championship since Northern Illinois in 2011 and 2012. The Broncos brought back plenty of firepower, led by reigning MAC Offensive Player of the Year Broc Lowry and 1,000-yard rusher Jalen Buckley. Head coach Lance Taylor also returned after earning MAC Coach of the Year honors in 2025.
Western Michigan’s TV schedule spans NBC Sports, CBS Sports, and ESPN’s platforms. Several later MAC games have flexible assignments among ESPN2, ESPNU, CBS Sports Network, and ESPN+, so we’ll update this guide as those details are finalized.
Keep reading for everything you need to watch Western Michigan Broncos football, including The Battle for the Victory Cannon. We outline the team’s complete TV schedule and the best TV plans for tuning in.
2026 Western Michigan football TV schedule
Western Michigan’s schedule pairs four nonconference games against Michigan, Monmouth, Rice, and Boise State with an eight-game MAC slate. Conference play includes The Battle for the Victory Cannon at Central Michigan on October 17, a road trip to Toledo, and a regular-season finale against Miami in a rematch of the 2025 MAC Championship Game.
Use the table below for every confirmed kickoff time and channel assignment as the season unfolds. You can also check out our College Football TV Schedule to find the best matchups across the country each week.
CFB - Western Michigan Broncos Schedule
| Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, Sept. 5 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
Monmouth Hawks | Saturday, Sept. 12 | 6:30 p.m. | |
At Rice Owls | Saturday, Sept. 19 | 7:00 p.m. | |
Saturday, Sept. 26 | 3:30 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Oct. 3 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Oct. 10 | 3:30 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Oct. 17 | TBD | TBD | |
Saturday, Oct. 24 | TBD | TBD | |
Saturday, Oct. 31 | Noon | ||
At Akron Zips | Tuesday, Nov. 10 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD |
Tuesday, Nov. 17 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Tuesday, Nov. 24 | TBD | TBD |
Best TV plans for watching Western Michigan Broncos football
YouTube TV is the cleanest all-in-one option for Western Michigan fans as TV assignments change throughout the season. Plans that include ESPN also provide ESPN Unlimited, covering ESPN+ games without requiring a separate subscription.
We made our recommendations using the channel availability, price, and simplicity standards mentioned in our Editorial Policy. You can compare more side-by-side options in our Best Streaming Services for Sports guide.
Best Overall
YouTube TV brings Western Michigan’s linear TV coverage and ESPN Unlimited access together in one place. Its Sports Plan also includes unlimited DVR and multiview capabilities, making it a strong all-in-one setup for Broncos fans who want broader college football coverage.
Best Value
ESPN Unlimited covers Western Michigan games assigned to ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPN+, making it a useful lower-cost option for much of the schedule. It doesn’t include NBC or CBS Sports Network, so you’ll need another option for games on those channels.
How to watch Western Michigan Broncos football FAQ
Where can I watch the Western Michigan Broncos for free?
You can stream several Western Michigan games for free thanks to free trials from DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV.
Where can I stream Western Michigan Broncos games if I don't have cable?
YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV are both strong cable-free options for Broncos fans. Hulu + Live TV carries Western Michigan's key linear channels and also includes access to additional ESPN Unlimited content.
Can I watch Western Michigan Broncos football with ESPN Unlimited?
Yes, you can watch Western Michigan football with ESPN Unlimited. Games on ESPN and its affiliated networks, including ESPN+, stream through ESPN Unlimited in the ESPN app.
How do I watch Western Michigan Broncos football if I live out of state?
Out-of-state Broncos fans can watch through the same national and conference channels listed in the schedule table above. College football broadcast rights are built around national, conference, and streaming agreements rather than a local-market blackout system.
Why you should trust us
David Vick, our Contributing Writer, cross-referenced Western Michigan’s 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 MAC 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.
