How to Watch NC State vs. Stanford on DIRECTV: ESPN Channel, Kickoff Time and Streaming
NC State visits Stanford on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. PT) at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California. The late West Coast ACC game is on ESPN, which is DIRECTV channel 206.
NC State is 3-3 (1-2 ACC) after a 38-14 home loss to Wake Forest. Stanford is 2-4 (1-3 ACC) after a 58-7 loss at Notre Dame and hosts Elon on Friday, October 17, before this one. Here's how to watch NC State-Stanford on DIRECTV, as of October 15, 2026.
NC State vs. Stanford: date, time and channel
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday, October 23, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 10:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 p.m. CT / 7:30 p.m. PT |
| Stadium | Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California |
| Conference | ACC |
| TV | ESPN |
| DIRECTV channel | 206 (same on satellite and streaming) |
| Streaming | ESPN app (ESPN Unlimited via DIRECTV when eligible); DIRECTV app |
| Records | NC State 3-3 (1-2 ACC); Stanford 2-4 (1-3 ACC), through October 15 |
What channel is NC State vs. Stanford on DIRECTV?
Tune to ESPN on DIRECTV channel 206. Press Guide and search "NC State" or "Stanford," or go straight to 206 before the 10:30 p.m. ET kickoff. Our guide to what channel ESPN is on DIRECTV has the details.
| Network | DIRECTV channel | Starting package |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN | 206 (same on satellite and streaming) | ENTERTAINMENT and up; also MySports Genre Pack |
ESPN starts with the ENTERTAINMENT package. ACC Network isn't carrying this Friday night game, but it airs plenty of other ACC contests; see what channel ACC Network is on DIRECTV (channel 612). The MySports Genre Pack includes ESPN for a sports-focused bill. Compare tiers in our DIRECTV package channel comparison, or call 1-855-690-9884 and we'll confirm ESPN at your address.
How to stream NC State vs. Stanford
- ESPN app: ESPN ACC games stream in the ESPN app. DIRECTV customers whose package includes ESPN can activate ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost, then sign in to the ESPN app. Our guide to ESPN Unlimited for DIRECTV customers walks through setup.
- DIRECTV app: watch ESPN live on a phone, tablet or streaming device with your DIRECTV login.
Set up ESPN Unlimited before Friday so you aren't creating an account at a late kickoff.
How NC State and Stanford got here
Results so far, from ESPN team schedules as of October 15, 2026:
| NC State | Stanford |
|---|---|
| L 8-34 at Virginia | W 37-27 vs. Hawai'i |
| W 73-0 vs. Richmond | L 6-45 vs. Miami |
| L 31-35 at Vanderbilt | L 7-35 at Duke |
| W 41-31 vs. App State | W 34-27 vs. Georgia Tech |
| W 31-28 vs. Louisville | L 3-57 at Wake Forest |
| L 14-38 vs. Wake Forest | L 7-58 at Notre Dame |
| Fri., Oct. 17: vs. Elon, 7:30 p.m. ET (ACCNX) |
Stanford hosts Elon on October 17 first, so the Cardinal's record on this page may change before NC State arrives. Local help for the Bay Area: DIRECTV channels for California.
NC State vs. Stanford storylines
- Late Friday on ESPN: a 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT kickoff puts the ACC on national TV from Stanford Stadium under the lights.
- NC State's rebound bid: the Wolfpack are 3-3 after beating Louisville, then dropping a home game to Wake Forest. A road win would steady the ACC slate before California visits Carter-Finley on October 31.
- Stanford's home stand: the Cardinal are 2-1 at home and 0-3 on the road. After Elon on October 17, this is the last home game before a stretch that includes Louisville, Virginia Tech and California.
- Last meeting: NC State won 59-28 at Carter-Finley Stadium on November 2, 2024, in the first ACC meeting between the schools.
- Refresh note: if this page is uploaded after October 17, update Stanford's record after the Elon game.
- What's next: NC State hosts California on October 31. Stanford visits Louisville on October 31.
ACC games on DIRECTV, October 23-24
| Game | Kickoff (ET) | Network (as of Oct. 15) | DIRECTV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke at Virginia (Fri.) | 7 p.m. | ESPN | 206 |
| NC State at Stanford (Fri.) | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN | 206 |
| Pitt at Miami | Noon | ABC or ESPN | Local ABC or 206 |
| California at SMU | Noon | The CW | Local CW station |
| Boston College at Georgia Tech | 3:30 p.m. | ACC Network | 612 |
| Virginia Tech at Clemson | 7 or 7:30 p.m. | ESPN or ESPN2 | 206 or 209 |
| Syracuse at North Carolina | 7:30 p.m. | ACC Network | 612 |
Our Week 8 college football TV schedule on DIRECTV covers the full ACC slate for October 23-24.
Want ESPN and ACC Network lined up for the rest of the season? Check DIRECTV options at your address or call 1-855-690-9884.
Frequently asked questions
What channel is NC State vs. Stanford on DIRECTV?
ESPN is DIRECTV channel 206 for NC State at Stanford on Friday, October 23, 2026. The channel number is the same on satellite and streaming.
What time does NC State vs. Stanford start?
Kickoff is 10:30 p.m. ET (9:30 p.m. CT, 7:30 p.m. PT) on Friday, October 23, 2026, at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California.
Can I stream NC State vs. Stanford?
Yes. ESPN ACC games stream in the ESPN app. DIRECTV customers whose package includes ESPN can activate ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost. The DIRECTV app also streams ESPN.
What package do I need for ESPN on DIRECTV?
ESPN starts with the ENTERTAINMENT package and is also in the MySports Genre Pack. Call 1-855-690-9884 to confirm ESPN at your address.
What are NC State's and Stanford's records?
Through October 15, 2026, NC State is 3-3 (1-2 ACC) and Stanford is 2-4 (1-3 ACC). Stanford hosts Elon on October 17 before this game.
When did NC State and Stanford last play?
NC State beat Stanford 59-28 in Raleigh on November 2, 2024, in their first ACC meeting.
Need help confirming ESPN at your address before the late kickoff? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 15, 2026 from ESPN schedule and summary feeds (event 401858272) and live AmericanTV.com channel guides. Kickoff times and networks are set by the ACC and its TV partners and may change. Records reflect games through October 15, 2026; Stanford hosts Elon on October 17 before this game. Channel lineups, package contents, offers and prices vary by address and may change. NC State, Stanford, ACC, ESPN, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.