The Wisconsin Badgers are the college football team I follow the most regularly. I’ve been to games, toured Camp Randall, and participated in the “Jump Around” tradition. But even with that first-hand experience, I’m still never quite sure what kind of performance we’ll see any given Saturday.
In recent seasons, we’ve watched the Badgers struggle to find their footing, and 2025 brought another tough finish at 4–8. Wisconsin did close the year with home wins over ranked Washington and Illinois. But Luke Fickell enters his fourth season in Madison still trying to get the program back to bowl eligibility.
Thanks to the Big Ten’s massive TV deal, most Badgers games air nationally on CBS, FOX, NBC, FS1, Big Ten Network, and Peacock. To help you follow every moment of this pivotal season, I’ve sorted through the noise and put together this complete viewing guide. Keep reading for the latest Badgers TV schedule and my breakdown of the best streaming options.
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2026 Wisconsin football TV schedule
If you’re a Badger fan like me, you’ve probably been eyeing this schedule since spring. It’s equal parts challenging and exciting, highlighted by a marquee matchup against Notre Dame at Lambeau Field and another full slate of Big Ten competition.
The regular season concludes with the battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe against Minnesota on Friday, November 27. For the full slate, the table below tracks the latest Wisconsin kickoff times and TV channels, with updates as more broadcasts are announced.
| Opponent | Day | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Lambeau Field) | Sunday, Sept. 6 | 7:30 p.m. | NBC, Peacock Premium |
| Western Illinois Leathernecks | Saturday, Sept. 12 | 7:15 p.m. | Big Ten Network |
| Eastern Michigan Eagles | Saturday, Sept. 19 | 12:30 p.m. | Peacock Premium |
| At Penn State Nittany Lions | Saturday, Sept. 26 | TBD | TBD |
| Michigan State Spartans | Saturday, Oct. 3 | TBD | TBD |
| At UCLA Bruins | Saturday, Oct. 17 | TBD | TBD |
| USC Trojans | Saturday, Oct. 24 | TBD | TBD |
| At Iowa Hawkeyes | Saturday, Oct. 31 | TBD | TBD |
| Rutgers Scarlet Knights | Saturday, Nov. 7 | TBD | TBD |
| At Maryland Terrapins | Saturday, Nov. 14 | TBD | TBD |
| At Purdue Boilermakers | Saturday, Nov. 21 | TBD | TBD |
| Minnesota Golden Gophers | Friday, Nov. 27 | 7:30 p.m. | NBC, Peacock Premium |
Best TV plans for watching Wisconsin Badgers football
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
If you’re aiming to catch every Badgers football game, my advice is to start with a live TV service as your foundation. Hulu + Live TV is my top pick because it has the key linear channels Badgers fans need, including CBS, FOX, NBC, FS1, and Big Ten Network. It also includes unlimited DVR storage and ESPN Select for any ESPN+ coverage.
To complete your Big Ten football coverage, however, you’ll need a Peacock Premium subscription. Wisconsin has at least one Peacock-exclusive matchup on September 19, and additional streaming assignments could be announced as the season progresses. Trust me, you don’t want to be scrambling on game day when you realize a key matchup is locked behind a streaming paywall.
Finally, for the superfan whose Badger pride extends beyond the gridiron, a B1G+ subscription is the final piece of the puzzle. It’s the conference’s standalone streaming service that carries campus programming and non-televised action for sports like Wisconsin volleyball, soccer, and wrestling.
How to watch Wisconsin Badgers football FAQ
Where can I watch Badgers football for free?
You can stream select Wisconsin Badgers games with a DIRECTV free trial. You can also watch games airing on your local ABC, CBS, FOX, or NBC station for free with a digital antenna, but games on Big Ten Network, FS1, or Peacock require pay TV or streaming access.
Where can I stream Wisconsin football games if I don’t have cable?
My favorite way to watch the Wisconsin Badgers without cable is through Hulu + Live TV. It carries the main linear channels you’ll need for Badgers football, but you'll also want a separate Peacock subscription for exclusive Big Ten games.
Can I watch Wisconsin Badgers football on Peacock?
Yes, you can watch select Wisconsin football games on Peacock. The service carries both Peacock-exclusive Big Ten matchups and simulcasts of select games airing on NBC, so check the schedule above for each week's broadcast information.
How do I watch Wisconsin football if I live out of state?
For out-of-state fans, most Wisconsin Badgers football games air nationally, so a good live TV streaming service will have you covered. Of course, some college football matchups have unique broadcast rights. That's why it's always best to check the TV schedule above for specific channel information.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, is a lifelong Badgers fan. To create this guide, he combined that fan passion with hours of in-depth research, meticulously analyzing this season’s schedule to uncover the absolute best ways to watch Wisconsin football. Taylor made his final recommendations with one goal in mind: helping every fan, from Madison to Ashland and beyond, find the easiest and most affordable way to catch every game on TV.
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.
