James Franklin leads the 2026 Penn State football team into a highly competitive Big Ten season. The Nittany Lions host tough conference opponents at Beaver Stadium, playing against schools from the expanded league format.
Fans planning their weekends need the exact dates, times, and broadcast networks for every matchup. This article covers the complete Penn State Football schedule 2026 from opening day to the regular season finale.
You will find up-to-date broadcast details for cable networks and streaming platforms. Use this specific breakdown to track where to watch every Nittany Lions game this fall.
What channel is the Penn State football game on?
The broadcast network changes weekly depending on the specific matchup and kickoff time. Early games this season will air on FS1, ESPN2, and the Big Ten Network. Primetime events, like the early October Friday night game against Northwestern, will broadcast nationally on FOX.
Penn State Football Schedule 2026
The Penn State Nittany Lions football slate features non-conference matchups and heavy Big Ten competition. The schedule below reflects all currently known Eastern Time starts and network assignments.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV |
| Sep. 5 | Marshall | 3:30 p.m. | FS1 |
| Sep. 12 | at Temple | 12:00 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| Sep. 19 | Buffalo | 12:00 p.m. | BTN |
| Sep. 26 | Wisconsin (HC) | TBA | TBA |
| Oct. 2 | at Northwestern | 8:00 p.m. | FOX |
| Oct. 10 | USC | TBA | TBA |
| Oct. 17 | at Michigan | TBA | TBA |
| Oct. 24 | BYE WEEK | – | – |
| Oct. 31 | Purdue | TBA | TBA |
| Nov. 7 | at Washington | TBA | TBA |
| Nov. 14 | Minnesota | TBA | TBA |
| Nov. 21 | Rutgers | TBA | TBA |
| Nov. 28 | at Maryland | TBA | TBA |
| Dec. 5 | Big Ten Championship | 8:00 p.m. | FOX |
Where to watch Penn State football?
Viewers can watch Nittany Lions broadcasts across FOX, FS1, ESPN2, and BTN. If you maintain a traditional cable package or a satellite provider, these channels generally come standard in base sports tiers.
Cord-cutters can stream these designated networks using live television platforms. Services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and Sling TV carry the specific channels required to follow the 2026 season.
Peacock also holds exclusive broadcast rights to select Big Ten college football games each year. You must purchase a standalone subscription to the Peacock streaming service to watch those specific matchups.
Network-affiliated streaming apps, such as the FOX Sports app or the ESPN app, offer another viewing alternative. These applications allow authenticated users to log in directly through their existing television provider credentials.
Fans living outside the local Pennsylvania broadcast market might occasionally face regional restrictions for less prominent games. However, nationally televised Big Ten events remain accessible coast-to-coast without blackout limitations.
Audio broadcasts are available via local radio affiliates and the Varsity Network app. This gives traveling fans an easy way to listen to the live play-by-play calls during the weekends.
Editorial Disclaimer: Broadcast rights, television channels, and official kickoff times are subject to change during the fall season. Always check your local listings for the most current game day information.
