You can watch the Cotton Bowl on ESPN via cable/satellite or any live-TV streaming service that carries ESPN, plus through the ESPN app with a valid login.

When and where it’s on

  • The Cotton Bowl (this season’s CFP quarterfinal: Ohio State vs. Miami) is scheduled for Wednesday, December 31, 2025, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET.
  • The game is played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and is part of the College Football Playoff rotation.

TV channel

  • The primary TV channel for the Cotton Bowl is ESPN in the U.S. each season, including the 2025–26 CFP Cotton Bowl between Ohio State and Miami.
  • Some coverage and alternate presentations may also appear on related ESPN networks (such as ESPN2, ACC Network, or ESPN Deportes for Spanish-language audio).

Streaming options (no cable)

To watch the Cotton Bowl without traditional cable, you need a streaming service that includes ESPN:

  • Live-TV streaming platforms that carry ESPN for the 2025 Cotton Bowl include services like DirecTV’s streaming offering and Fubo.
  • You can also stream through the ESPN app (WatchESPN / ESPN streaming access) by logging in with a TV provider or eligible streaming subscription that has ESPN.

Step‑by‑step: how to watch

  1. Check if you already have ESPN
    • If you have a cable or satellite package, confirm ESPN is in your channel lineup, then tune to ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET on game night.
  1. If you don’t have cable
    • Sign up for a live-TV streaming service that includes ESPN, such as Fubo or a DirecTV streaming package, before kickoff.
 * Use that account to log into the ESPN app or website if you prefer streaming on a phone, tablet, or smart TV.
  1. Double‑check local details
    • Time zones: 7:30 p.m. ET is 6:30 p.m. CT, 5:30 p.m. MT, and 4:30 p.m. PT.
 * If you’re outside the U.S., check local sports broadcasters or regional ESPN partners, as international rights can differ by country.

In‑person and extra context

  • To attend in person, look for tickets to the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, which hosts the game annually as one of the New Year’s bowl fixtures.
  • The 2025–26 Cotton Bowl is a CFP quarterfinal featuring Ohio State vs. Miami, making demand for both tickets and streams higher than a non‑playoff year.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.