Wait. Before you check your calendar, let's clear up the massive confusion that happens every single January. When you ask about the what time is nfc championship game 2025, you're actually looking for a game that happened in the past.
I know, it sounds weird. The 2024 NFL season—the one where we saw the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders surprise everyone—wrapped up its conference title games in January 2025. Specifically, that NFC Championship game kicked off on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at 3:00 PM ET.
If you are actually looking for the game happening right now (in the 2025-2026 season playoffs), that's technically the 2026 NFC Championship. NFL seasons are named after the year they start, but the big trophies are handed out the following year. It's a quirk that trips up even the most die-hard fans every winter.
The 2025 Game: A Quick Trip Down Memory Lane
Last year's matchup was a wild one. You had the No. 2 seed Philadelphia Eagles hosting the No. 6 seed Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field. Nobody really expected the Commanders to be there, but that’s the beauty of the playoffs.
The game started at 3:00 PM sharp on FOX. While the early window usually belongs to the AFC, the NFL flipped the script for 2025. The Eagles ended up absolutely dominating, putting up 55 points in a blowout that sent them straight to New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX.
Honestly, it wasn't even as close as the score suggested. If you were looking for high drama, you had to wait for the AFC game later that night between the Chiefs and the Bills.
What Time is NFC Championship Game 2025 (The Current Season)?
If you’re currently sitting on your couch in January 2026 wondering when the next NFC title will be decided for the 2025 season, here is the breakdown you actually need.
The 2026 NFC Championship Game (concluding the 2025 season) is scheduled for Sunday, January 25, 2026.
Kickoff and Broadcast Details
- Kickoff Time: 6:40 PM ET (3:40 PM PT local time if it's on the West Coast).
- TV Channel: FOX.
- Spanish Broadcast: FOX Deportes.
- Streaming: FOX Sports App, NFL+, and Fubo.
Unlike last year’s 3:00 PM start, the NFC has the late-night slot this time around. This means the AFC Championship will start at 3:05 PM ET on CBS, and the NFC will follow as the main event.
Why the Time Often Changes
You've probably noticed that kickoff times for the conference championships aren't set in stone until about two weeks before they happen. The NFL and its broadcast partners (CBS and FOX) play a game of "TV Ratings Chess."
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One network always gets the early slot, and the other gets the primetime window. They rotate this every year. Because FOX has the NFC rights and CBS has the AFC, they alternate who gets to keep the country up late on Sunday night.
In January 2025, FOX took the early 3:00 PM slot. In January 2026, FOX is taking the late 6:40 PM slot.
The Time Zone Factor
Location matters. A lot.
If the No. 1 seed is the Seattle Seahawks or the San Francisco 49ers, the NFL almost always tries to push that game into the later window. Why? Because a 3:00 PM ET kickoff is 12:00 PM on the West Coast. That’s a bit early for a championship party. By putting the game at 6:40 PM ET, it hits that "sweet spot" of 3:40 PM local time for West Coast fans while remaining primetime for the East Coast.
The Road to the 2025-26 NFC Title
Right now, the NFC West is a total meat grinder. The Seahawks, Rams, and 49ers all finished the 2025 regular season with 12+ wins. It is historically rare to see one division be this top-heavy and successful.
Essentially, the path to the Super Bowl is likely going through the Pacific Northwest or Northern California.
If you're planning a watch party, keep in mind that the Divisional Round—the games that determine who actually makes it to the Championship—takes place on January 17 and 18, 2026. Once those games end on Sunday night, the NFL will officially "lock in" the location for the NFC Championship.
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How to Watch Without Cable
If you’ve cut the cord, you aren't out of luck. Since the game is on FOX, you can usually catch it with a high-quality over-the-air antenna if you live near a major city.
For the digital crowd:
- NFL+: This is the league’s own service. It’s great for mobile, but be careful—they often restrict you to watching on a phone or tablet rather than a big-screen TV unless you have a specific tier.
- Sling TV / Fubo / YouTube TV: All of these carry FOX in most markets. Just make sure to check your local listings before the trial period ends.
- FOX Sports App: If you have a login from a friend or a cable provider, this is usually the most stable way to stream.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Don't get caught off guard by the scheduling quirks. If you're following the what time is nfc championship game 2025 or the upcoming 2026 matches, here is how to stay ahead.
- Verify the Date: Confirm you are looking at January 25, 2026, for the current season's conclusion.
- Check the Seedings: Watch the results of the Rams-Bears and 49ers-Seahawks games on January 17-18. The highest remaining seed will host the championship.
- Sync Your Clock: Remember the 6:40 PM ET start time. If you are in the Central Time zone, that's 5:40 PM; Mountain is 4:40 PM; and Pacific is 3:40 PM.
- Update Your Apps: If you're streaming, update your FOX Sports or NFL+ app at least 24 hours before kickoff to avoid the "mandatory update" nightmare ten minutes before the game starts.
The winner of this matchup will head to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026.