How to watch Northern Illinois
every NORTHERN ILLINOIS game in 2026 · channels, services, packages
Season outlook
2026
The 2026 schedule is set; exact channels come 6–12 days before each kickoff. But the TV deals are signed, so you can buy the right service today.
Where the games will live
12 games, mapped by media rights9FOX + CBSSNverify before seasonvs Illinois State · vs Air Force · at Wyoming
FOX / FS1 / FS2 / CBSSN · Post-realignment deal — confirm the partner list before the season.
1FOX · CBS · NBCat Iowa
FOX / FS1 / CBS / NBC / BTN + occasional Peacock exclusive · Peacock takes roughly one exclusive per team per season.
1ESPN + FOX (+ TNT)at Arizona
ABC / ESPN / ESPN2 / ESPNU / FOX / FS1 / TNT / truTV + occasional ESPN+ exclusive · A handful of games are sublicensed to TNT/truTV (stream on HBO Max).
1ESPNat Georgia State
ESPN / ESPN2 / ESPNU / ESPN+
What covers the season
guaranteed games (worst case) · possible (best case)Hulu + Live TV
$82.99/mo
3–12/12
occasional Peacock exclusives not included
can't cover: FOX + CBSSN
YouTube TV
$82.99/mo
2–12/12
occasional Peacock/ESPN+ exclusives not included
can't cover: FOX + CBSSN; ESPN
DIRECTV STREAM
$108.99/mo as needed
2–12/12
needs Choice tier (+$22/mo): BTN and ESPNU aren't in the base package
occasional Peacock/ESPN+ exclusives not included
can't cover: FOX + CBSSN; ESPN
Fubo
$84.99/mo
1–12/12
occasional Peacock exclusives not included
can't cover: FOX + CBSSN; ESPN + FOX (+ TNT); ESPN
ESPN (Unlimited)
$29.99/mo
1–2/12
can't cover: FOX · CBS · NBC; FOX + CBSSN; ESPN + FOX (+ TNT)
Sling Orange + Blue
$80.99/mo as needed
0–12/12
needs Local FOX & NBC (select markets): FOX and NBC aren't in the base package; Sports Extra (+$15/mo): BTN and ESPNU aren't in the base package
can't cover: FOX · CBS · NBC; FOX + CBSSN; ESPN + FOX (+ TNT); ESPN
Fox One
$19.99/mo
0–11/12
can't cover: FOX · CBS · NBC; FOX + CBSSN; ESPN + FOX (+ TNT); ESPN
ESPN Select (was ESPN+)
$12.99/mo
0–2/12
can't cover: FOX · CBS · NBC; FOX + CBSSN; ESPN + FOX (+ TNT); ESPN
Peacock
$10.99/mo
0–1/12
can't cover: FOX · CBS · NBC; FOX + CBSSN; ESPN + FOX (+ TNT); ESPN
Paramount+
$12.99/mo
0–1/12
can't cover: FOX · CBS · NBC; FOX + CBSSN; ESPN + FOX (+ TNT); ESPN
HBO Max
$16.99/mo
0–1/12
can't cover: FOX · CBS · NBC; FOX + CBSSN; ESPN + FOX (+ TNT); ESPN
Three ways to buy
depending on what kind of fan you areOne service, no thinking
Hulu + Live TV · $82.99/mo
Hulu + Live TV covers the most (3–12 of 12).
Am I covered?
mark your services to light this upMark what you pay for on the Am-I-covered page (services, add-ons, antenna) and every game below gets a covered / not-covered verdict, updating as channels are announced.
Wk 1Sep 5at IowaFOX / FS1 / CBS / NBC / BTN (TBA)
Wk 2Sep 12vs Illinois StateFOX / FS1 / FS2 / CBSSN (TBA)
Wk 3Sep 19at ArizonaABC / ESPN / ESPN2 / ESPNU / FOX / FS1 / TNT / truTV (TBA)
Wk 4Sep 26at Georgia StateESPN / ESPN2 / ESPNU / ESPN+ (TBA)
Wk 6Oct 10vs Air ForceFOX / FS1 / FS2 / CBSSN (TBA)
Wk 7Oct 17at WyomingFOX / FS1 / FS2 / CBSSN (TBA)
Wk 8Oct 24vs Hawai'iFOX / FS1 / FS2 / CBSSN (TBA)
Wk 9Oct 31at UNLVFOX / FS1 / FS2 / CBSSN (TBA)
Wk 10Nov 7at San José StateFOX / FS1 / FS2 / CBSSN (TBA)
Wk 11Nov 14vs NevadaFOX / FS1 / FS2 / CBSSN (TBA)
Wk 12Nov 21at North Dakota StateFOX / FS1 / FS2 / CBSSN (TBA)
Wk 13Nov 28vs UTEPFOX / FS1 / FS2 / CBSSN (TBA)
Channel projections come from each conference's announced media-rights deals (verified June 2026); exact assignments are typically announced 6–12 days before kickoff and this page sharpens automatically as they land.
Service lineups, packages, and prices verified as of June 2026; they change, so confirm with the provider before subscribing. Local broadcast availability varies by market.
Some links may be affiliate links: Fan Watch can earn a commission if you subscribe, at no extra cost to you. Coverage math is never influenced by partnerships.