How to Watch the 2026 MAC Championship Game on ESPN and DIRECTV
By American TV editorial team |
The 2026 MAC Football Championship Game is Saturday, December 5, at noon ET on ESPN. The top two teams in the Mid-American Conference, based on conference winning percentage, meet at Ford Field in Detroit, home of the Detroit Lions. On DIRECTV, ESPN is channel 206.
This is the 30th MAC Championship Game and the 23rd played at Ford Field. It kicks off the busy conference championship Saturday, so it's a good early window before the bigger title games later in the day.
Check the ESPN channel guide and our ESPN Unlimited advertising guide when planning your viewing.
Game details
| Detail | 2026 MAC Championship Game |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026 |
| Kickoff | Noon ET / 11 a.m. CT |
| TV | ESPN (DIRECTV channel 206) |
| Stadium | Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan |
| Teams | Top two MAC teams by conference winning percentage (set after the regular season ends) |
How to watch on DIRECTV
ESPN is included in DIRECTV's main packages, so you can tune to channel 206 at kickoff. Here's more on where ESPN sits on DIRECTV. If you plan to stream on the ESPN app instead, it's worth knowing whether ESPN Unlimited has ads.
The MAC champion's playoff hopes depend on where it lands in the final standings, so keep an eye on the College Football Playoff rankings show in the weeks before the game. For help adding ESPN or upgrading your DIRECTV package, 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.
Kickoff time and TV info are from the Mid-American Conference and Ford Field and may change. ESPN, DIRECTV and team names belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent DIRECTV dealer and resource site.