What Are the Best Ways to Stream College Basketball in 2026-27?
The 2026-27 men's college basketball season starts Sunday, November 1, 2026, with Notre Dame vs. Villanova in Rome at 9:30 a.m. ET on FOX, and a full slate follows on Monday, November 2. The Final Four is April 3, 2027, and the national championship game is Monday, April 5. This is the first season with a 76-team NCAA tournament. Most games air on ESPN's networks, FOX, CBS and the conference networks, and nearly all of them can be streamed if you have the right TV package.
College basketball channels on DIRECTV
| Network | DIRECTV channel |
|---|---|
| ESPN | 206 |
| ESPN2 | 209 |
| ESPNU | 208 |
| FS1 | 219 |
| CBS Sports Network | 221 |
| Big Ten Network | 610 |
| ABC, CBS and FOX | Your local stations |
Ways to stream games
| Option | What it covers | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV app | Live channels in your package, at home or on the go | A DIRECTV package (streaming or satellite) |
| ESPN app | ESPN networks plus streaming-only games | Sign in with your DIRECTV account. Eligible DIRECTV packages include ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost; on its own it's $31.99 a month |
| Network and conference apps | Games on FOX, CBS, FS1 and conference networks | Sign in with a TV provider that carries the channel |
ESPN says more than 250 ACC games will air across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ACC Network, ESPNU and the ESPN app, and 30 ACC games distributed by The CW will also stream in the ESPN app with ESPN Unlimited.
Big early-season games
| Date (ET) | Game | TV |
|---|---|---|
| Sun., Nov. 1, 9:30 a.m. | Notre Dame vs. Villanova (Rome) | FOX |
| Mon., Nov. 2, 6 p.m. | Miami vs. Florida (Tampa) | ESPN2 |
| Tue., Nov. 10, 7 p.m. | Duke vs. Michigan State (Champions Classic, Chicago) | ESPN |
| Tue., Nov. 17, 7 p.m. | Illinois at Duke | ESPN |
| Tue., Nov. 17, 9 p.m. | Michigan State at Tennessee | ESPN2 |
| Tue., Dec. 1, 9:30 p.m. | Duke at Florida (SEC/ACC Challenge) | ESPN |
| Sat., Feb. 13, 5:30 p.m. | North Carolina at Duke | ABC |
For the full season guide, see how to watch the 2026-27 college basketball season on DIRECTV.
March Madness
CBS and TNT Sports share the NCAA tournament. With 76 teams, the 2027 bracket is larger than in past years. Game-by-game networks are set after Selection Sunday.
Frequently asked questions
When does the 2026-27 college basketball season start?
Sunday, November 1, 2026, with Notre Dame vs. Villanova in Rome at 9:30 a.m. ET on FOX.
When is the 2027 national championship game?
Monday, April 5, 2027. The Final Four is Saturday, April 3.
How many teams are in the 2027 NCAA tournament?
76 teams. This is the first season with the expanded field.
What channels show college basketball on DIRECTV?
ESPN (206), ESPN2 (209), ESPNU (208), FS1 (219), CBS Sports Network (221), Big Ten Network (610) and your local ABC, CBS and FOX stations.
Can I stream college basketball with DIRECTV?
Yes. Use the DIRECTV app for channels in your package, and activate the ESPN access included with your eligible DIRECTV package for covered ESPN app games.
Want us to check which channels and packages are available at your address? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 30, 2026. Tip times, broadcast assignments, prices and package contents can change. DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. AmericanTV.com is an independent dealer and resource site.