The 2026 Rose Bowl will be televised nationally on ESPN in the United States, with streaming available through ESPN+ and several live TV streaming providers that carry ESPN. The game is scheduled for New Year’s Day 2026 at 4 p.m. ET from the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California.

Basic viewing info

  • TV channel (US): ESPN.
  • Kickoff time: 4 p.m. Eastern (1 p.m. Pacific) on January 1, 2026.
  • Stadium: Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California.

How to watch without cable (US)

Most cord-cutters can watch the 2026 Rose Bowl by subscribing to a live TV streaming service that includes ESPN. Popular options typically include:

  • Fubo
  • DirecTV streaming packages
  • Sling TV (with the appropriate sports/ESPN package)
  • YouTube TV
  • Hulu + Live TV

These services generally offer ESPN in their channel lineups, and some occasionally provide free trials for new users around major events.

Streaming on ESPN and ESPN+

  • You can stream the game through the ESPN app or website by logging in with a TV provider that includes ESPN.
  • ESPN+ is also listed as a way to stream the 2026 Rose Bowl, usually as part of ESPN’s broader streaming offering alongside traditional ESPN access via participating services.

Watching from outside the US

  • International rights vary by country and may be carried by local sports networks or global sports streaming platforms; some guides recommend using a VPN if you are traveling and need to access your usual US-based streaming account while abroad.
  • In some regions, dedicated sports streamers may pick up the College Football Playoff games; local listings for January 1, 2026, will usually highlight “Rose Bowl” or “College Football Playoff quarterfinal.”

Extra viewing notes and “trending” context

  • The 2026 game is an especially high-profile College Football Playoff quarterfinal featuring top-ranked Indiana against Alabama, adding to its national attention and making ESPN the central destination for coverage.
  • Major sports sites and forums frequently share watch links and viewing tips leading up to kickoff, but official broadcasters and their verified apps are the safest, most reliable way to watch the Rose Bowl in 2026.

TL;DR: To watch the 2026 Rose Bowl, tune into ESPN on January 1, 2026, at 4 p.m. ET, or stream it through ESPN/ESPN+ and live TV streaming services (Fubo, DirecTV, Sling, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV) that carry ESPN.

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