How to Watch the 2026 Celebration Bowl on ABC
By AmericanTV.com editorial team |
The 2026 Cricket Celebration Bowl is scheduled for Saturday, December 12, at noon ET / 11 a.m. CT / 9 a.m. PT on ABC. ESPN Events lists Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta as the venue, with participating teams to be announced. On DIRECTV, find your local ABC station and confirm that it is included in your current service.
Celebration Bowl: kickoff and viewing details
| Detail | Current information |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, December 12, 2026 |
| Kickoff | Noon ET / 11 a.m. CT / 9 a.m. PT |
| Network | ABC |
| Venue | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia |
| Matchup | MEAC champion vs. SWAC champion; teams to be announced |
| DIRECTV channel | Your local ABC station; number varies by market |
ESPN's HBCU schedule lists the noon ABC telecast, and the organizer independently confirms December 12 at noon Eastern. The stadium's event page can carry less detailed information while the organizer's schedule supplies kickoff. Recheck the current event and television listings close to game day.
Find your local ABC station
ABC does not have one nationwide DIRECTV channel number. Search the guide for the Celebration Bowl on December 12 and inspect the station, start time and program description. Our local ABC channel guide provides related information.
Confirm the lineup for your full service address and actual package. A preliminary ZIP result is not a final promise of local-station carriage. If watching at someone else's home or while traveling, check that location's account and guide rather than forwarding your own station number.
What remains to be announced
The game pairs the MEAC champion with the SWAC champion. ESPN says the winner of the December 5 SWAC Championship advances to the bowl. The organizer still labels participating teams as to be announced at this November 3 review.
This guide does not predict either participant, quote current rankings or substitute last year's matchup. When the schools are confirmed, check the updated event listing before setting a team-specific reminder. Keep the bowl's date distinct from championship-weekend games played a week earlier.
Streaming and recording checks
ESPN's season announcement includes ESPN App viewing. Check the actual game listing and the subscription or provider access required on your chosen device. This guide does not promise an unrestricted stream or state that every separately sold ESPN product supplies identical access.
For DIRECTV viewing, test playback and sign-in before the game. If recording, choose the bowl entry and verify the recording settings supported by your service. A calendar reminder is useful but does not itself record the telecast. Review the guide again if the title changes after teams qualify.
Before changing television services, compare the final recurring price, channel inclusion and device requirements. No unverified package price or trial offer is quoted here. The practical goal is to confirm access to this ABC game on the screen and account you will actually use.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2026 Celebration Bowl?
It is scheduled for December 12 at noon ET / 11 a.m. CT / 9 a.m. PT.
Which network carries the game?
ESPN's official schedule lists ABC.
Where is the game played?
ESPN Events lists Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Are the participating teams confirmed here?
No. The organizer still lists the teams as to be announced at this review.
What DIRECTV channel should I use?
Find the local ABC station in your account's guide and confirm package inclusion.
Compare DIRECTV options at your address or call 1-855-690-9884.
Reviewed November 3, 2026. Schedules and access terms can change. Confirm the current program listing before viewing.