How To Watch the Xbox Bowl: Missouri State vs. Arkansas State
✦ Edited and fact-checked by Sports Editor Taylor Kujawa, our resident TV expert with over eight years of covering sports.
Get ready for the 2025 Xbox Bowl
It feels inevitable that we finally have an Xbox Bowl, doesn’t it? The memes are practically writing themselves. This new game replaces the Bahamas Bowl, trading the tropical breeze of Nassau for the climate-controlled comfort of the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. It’s a massive shift in vibes, swapping a vacation atmosphere for an artificial setting inside the Dallas Cowboys’ headquarters.
On paper, this is a fascinating regional clash between Missouri State and Arkansas State. But I admit I’m curious to see if Microsoft injects any gaming flair into the broadcast. Sure, the Conference USA vs. Sun Belt battle is the main event, but maybe the winner will get a trophy photo with Master Chief and an Arbiter.
If you’re looking to see who unlocks the achievement of winning the inaugural title, you need to know where to tune in. I’ve broken down exactly how to watch the Xbox Bowl below, including the kickoff time, channel information, and the best streaming services to catch the action.
What channel shows the Xbox Bowl?
Best TV plans for watching the Xbox Bowl
If you want the most comprehensive bowl season experience, I recommend signing up for Hulu + Live TV. It carries ESPN2 for the Xbox Bowl, but it also includes ESPN, ABC, and TNT, which cover the vast majority of the postseason schedule. The extra access to ESPN+ and Disney+ makes the price tag much easier to justify for entertainment beyond just sports.
Still, if you’re a fan working with a tighter budget, a direct subscription to ESPN Unlimited is a solid alternative. It’s significantly cheaper than all live TV streaming services and includes every ESPN channel for nearly complete bowl season coverage. My take: Sign up in mid-December and cancel in mid-January for the most efficient and cost-effective viewing route through bowl season.
Lastly, if you’re strictly tuning in for the Xbox Bowl and nothing else, Sling TV offers a single-day subscription for about $5. This grants you 24-hour access to ESPN and ESPN2, making it the absolute cheapest way to catch the game without a monthly commitment.
How to watch the Xbox Bowl FAQ
How can I watch the Xbox Bowl for free?
Since the Xbox Bowl is on ESPN2, the only way to watch it for free is to use a free live TV streaming trial. DIRECTV, Fubo, and YouTube TV all carry the channel and typically offer trial periods for new subscribers.
Can I stream the Xbox Bowl on the ESPN app?
Yes, you can stream the game on the ESPN app if you log in with a pay-TV provider or subscribe to the standalone ESPN Unlimited service.
Where is the Xbox Bowl played?
The debut Xbox Bowl will take place at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. That mouthful of a venue name basically just means the Dallas Cowboys' practice facility.
What conferences play in the Xbox Bowl?
This season's Xbox Bowl features a matchup between teams from Conference USA (Missouri State) and the Sun Belt Conference (Arkansas State).
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com editorial team researched the Xbox Bowl’s official broadcast rights and cross-referenced them with the channel lineups of every major TV provider. We then selected our viewing recommendations based on our hands-on testing, identifying the most cost-effective and straightforward ways for you to watch the game.
To learn more about our methods, check out our How We Rank page.
