So, you’re looking for the kickoff or tip-off? If you’re asking what time does gators play today, you aren't just looking for a clock setting. You're probably looking for a channel, a spread, or maybe just an excuse to wear orange and blue on a Saturday.
Today is Saturday, January 17, 2026. It's a busy day in Gainesville and on the road.
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The headliner for today is definitely the men’s basketball team. Todd Golden’s squad is heading into a hostile environment in Nashville. But they aren't the only ones in action. Between tennis and hoops, the Gator Nation has a full plate. Honestly, keeping track of the "composite schedule" is a nightmare if you’re just trying to figure out when to order the wings.
The Big One: Men's Basketball at Vanderbilt
The main event for most fans is the Florida vs. Vanderbilt matchup. This isn't just a mid-season slog. This is a battle against a top-10 ranked Vandy team at the infamous Memorial Gymnasium.
If you’ve never seen a game at Memorial, it's weird. The benches are on the baselines, and the floor is slightly elevated. It messes with teams.
The Gators play today at 2:00 PM ET.
You can catch this one on ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNU. The exact "flavor" of ESPN usually gets finalized a few days prior based on how the rest of the SEC is shaking out, but for today, keep your remote handy for the main ESPN family of networks. The Gators are coming off a solid win against Oklahoma, so they’ve got some momentum, but playing a top-10 team in that "raised floor" gym is always a coin flip.
Why this game matters
Vanderbilt is currently ranked #10 in the country. Florida is trying to prove they belong in the upper echelon of the SEC after a few up-and-down weeks. If you’re checking the odds, expect Vandy to be a slight favorite at home, mostly because of the Memorial Gym "magic."
Don't Forget the Court: Gators Tennis Action
While everyone focuses on the hardwood, the tennis teams are actually splitting up across the Southeast today.
First up, the men’s team is staying home. If you're in Gainesville and want some live sports that don't require a $100 ticket, this is your move.
- Men's Tennis vs. USF: 12:00 PM ET at the Alfred A. Ring Complex.
- Women's Tennis at Charleston Southern: 1:00 PM ET.
The women are on the road in South Carolina, continuing their early-season non-conference slate. Tennis matches can be a bit fluid with timing depending on how long the singles matches go, but noon and 1:00 PM are the hard starts.
What about Gymnastics?
You might have seen highlights on your feed this morning from a meet. Just to clarify—the Gators Gymnastics team actually competed last night, Friday, January 16. They had a massive showdown against #4 Alabama at the O’Connell Center.
If you’re looking for them today, you’ll only find the replays. They don't have a meet today. Their next big one is next Friday, January 23, when they travel to Auburn. That one is going to be electric, but for today, the leotards are in the locker room.
A Quick Look at Tomorrow
If you’re planning your whole weekend around the Gators, Sunday has one big event. The Women’s Basketball team is back at home in the O'Dome.
They’ll be taking on Missouri on Sunday, January 18, at 2:00 PM ET.
How to watch and follow along
Basically, if you aren't in Nashville or at the Ring Complex, your best friend is the ESPN app. For the basketball game, since it's on a major network, any standard cable package or streaming service like YouTube TV or Fubo will have you covered.
For the tennis matches, those are usually a bit harder to find on "real" TV. Sometimes you can find a live stream on the official Florida Gators website, but usually, it's just live scoring updates.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the Channel: Around 1:45 PM, flip to ESPN to see if the previous game is running long. If it is, they’ll usually move the start of the Gators game to ESPN2 or the App.
- Download the Florida Gators App: Honestly, it's the only way to get the real-time stats without the lag of social media.
- Plan for the O'Dome: If you're local, head to the Men's Tennis match at noon. It's free, it's fast-paced, and it's a great warm-up before the basketball game starts.
- Set the DVR for Sunday: The women's game against Missouri is going to be a physical SEC battle; make sure you've got space on the box if you're out and about tomorrow afternoon.