How to Watch the 2026 Holiday Bowl on The CW
By American TV editorial team |
The 47th Holiday Bowl kicks off Monday, December 28, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT on The CW. The game is at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, and eligible DIRECTV viewers can watch on their local CW affiliate. The CW has the 5 to 9 p.m. ET window set aside for the broadcast.
The Holiday Bowl matches a team from the ACC against a team from the bowl's former Pac-12 pool. The CW took over as the game's broadcast partner this year, along with the returning SDCCU Poinsettia Bowl on December 23, and it also carries the Arizona Bowl for a fourth straight season.
Game details
| Detail | 2026 Holiday Bowl |
|---|---|
| Date | Monday, Dec. 28, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT |
| TV | The CW (local CW station on DIRECTV) |
| Streaming | ESPN App with an ESPN Unlimited plan |
| Stadium | Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego |
| Matchup | ACC team vs. a team from the former Pac-12 pool |
The teams haven't been announced yet. They'll be picked after the regular season and conference championship games, and we'll update this page once the matchup is set. After the game, The CW airs Popstar! Best of 2026 at 9 p.m.
How to watch on DIRECTV
Check whether your DIRECTV package carries the local CW affiliate at your address. Search the guide for "Holiday Bowl" to find the game and record it. If your CW station is new to your lineup, see how DIRECTV STREAM has been adding CW stations.
The CW says its bowl games also stream live on the ESPN App for ESPN Unlimited subscribers. Planning your whole bowl season? See how to watch every college football bowl game on DIRECTV and the College Football Playoff rankings show. Need help finding your CW channel? Call American TV at 1-855-690-9884.
Want live TV, local channels and your favorite networks in one place? Check DIRECTV options at your address or call 1-855-690-9884.
Game time, TV and streaming details are from The CW and Holiday Bowl announcements and may change. The CW, Holiday Bowl and ESPN are marks of their respective owners. American TV is an independent DIRECTV dealer and resource site.